Philosophy of Teaching

This week, you will develop your personal philosophy of teaching in a written statement, articulating your beliefs about important educational theories and practices. Your teaching philosophy should be based on what is meaningful to you in your approach to teaching.

Note: As your experiences and beliefs about teaching grow and change, your philosophy will also change. Therefore, at the end of this course, you will submit your revised teaching philosophy with a brief discussion of how your philosophy has changed or developed during this course.

There is no right or wrong way to write a personal teaching philosophy. However, for the purpose of this assignment, please follow the assignment guidelines below to connect your beliefs, goals, and strategies into a coherent approach to help students learn and grow.

Assignment Guidelines

Philosophy Paper Requirements

• The paper should be 2–4 pages, typed in Times New Roman using 12-point font, and double-spaced with 1" margins.
• Use a first person narrative and present tense.
• Write sincerely, uniquely, and memorably. Avoid clichés, jargon, and technical terms.
• Include specific (not abstract) ideas, using 1–2 concrete examples, whether actual or anticipated experiences.
• Show humility and mention students enthusiastically.
• Include your conception of how learning occurs.
• Communicate your goals as an instructor.
• Include actual or anticipated teaching strategies and methods.
• Include justification for why you teach (or anticipate teaching) the way you do.
• Include a brief discussion of how your teaching (or anticipated teaching) facilitates student learning.
• Include a conclusion.

To assist you in developing your teaching philosophy, you may choose to include any or all of the following:

• Famous quotes
• Your personal experiences as a learner
• Your views of the educational system
• Your interest in new types of teaching and learning
• What you think students should expect from you as a teacher
• How you know your goals for students are being met
• How you create (or anticipate creating) an engaging or enriching learning environment, and specific activities or exercises to engage your students