What is a teaching philosophy/statement?

Teaching Philosophy
Tiffany Turner (11/6/03)
What is a teaching philosophy/statement
Above all, it is to reflect your personal values and the needs of your students and
your department. It is an expression of individual values, personal vision of teaching, a
critical rationale of teaching, a personal mission statement.
It should be concise and clear for the sake of any reviewer.
What should be the format of my philosophy
Answer 4 primary questions (Type 1):
1) To what end This is the BIG Question
a) What are your objectives as a teacher
i) Should be achievable and relevant
ii) Avoid vague and grandiose statements
2) By what means
a) What methods will/do you use to achieve or work towards those objectives
i) Explain specific techniques and strategies you have/will use(d)
ii) Tie in to your objectives
3) To what degree
a) How do you intend to measure your effectiveness
i) Student evaluations
ii) Problem-solving skills (ability/performance based assessment)
4) Why
a) To you, what are the rewards of teaching
b) Why is teaching important to you
c) Why do you want to make a difference in higher education and your students’
lives
Major components of a philosophy (Type 2):
1) Conceptualization of learning
i) What happens in a learning setting
2) Conceptualization of teaching
i) How do I facilitate this process as a teacher
3) Goals for students
i) What do you expect your students to obtain as the result of learning
4) Implementation of the philosophy
i) How are you ideas transformed into classroom activities
5) Professional growth plan
i) How will you accomplish your goals and how have you accomplished your
goals in the past (short/long term goals)

Another structure (Type 3):
1) Integration of responsibilities
a. Teaching, research and public service are important- how will you carry
out these responsibilities
2) Expertise
a. How will you use your expertise in teaching your students and how will
you effectively communicate with your students
3) Relationships
a. How will you get to know your students and build a rapport with them
(special techniques used)
4) Learning environment
a. How will you create a supportive environment (socially, psychologically,
and physically) to help students learn
5) Methods, strategies and innovation
a. Use your statements to reflect your teaching practice
6) Outcomes
a. How were students able to learn in previous situations
Why do you need to develop a philosophy
1) Personal purpose
i) A clear picture of why you are doing what you are doing
2) Political purpose
i) A sense that your position is grounded in a well-developed and carefully
conceived philosophy of practice
3) Professional Purpose
i) A commitment to a shared rationale for teaching is important for the
development of a collective identity
4) Pedagogical purpose
i) What effect are you having on students and their learning
What good are they
1) For teachers themselves
i) Examine and articulate your goals. A clear vision provides stability,
continuity and long term guidance.
2) For administrators
i) A benchmark for professional growth and development. Will you fit in with
their beliefs
3) For students
i) They should understand what you are doing and why

There is no right or wrong way in putting together a philosophy. But
here are some general guidelines
1) Should be brief- 1-2 pages
2) Favor language and concepts that are broadly appreciated (chemists may not be the
only one reading your portfolio)
3) First person narrative
4) Should be reflective and personal
5) Representation of your experience and practice
6) Showcase for you strengths
Advice on writing a philosophy
1) Books on teaching and learning
2) Teaching and learning centers
3) Talking with professors
4) Read teaching statements
5) Share and critique
6) Be informed about your audience
Taken from:
Center for Teaching Excellence (Iowa State)
www.cte.iastate.edu/tips/philosophy.html
CETal (UTEP)
www.utep.edu/cetal/portfoli/philos.htm
FTAD (Ohio State)
www.acs.ohio-state.edu/education/ftad/portfolio/philosophy/index.htm
Great article on statements (Goodyear and Allchin)
www.utep.edu/cetal/pub/stofteac.html
Brian Coppola- writing a statement of teaching philosophy
www.google.com/searchq=cache:i8heiGIaS_gJ:www.mildredelley.com/Library/pdf/teachingPhilosophy.pdf+www.mildredelley.com/Library/+pdf/teachingPhilosophy.pdf&hl=en&ie=UTF-8