What is a Philosophy of Teaching Statement?

A philosophy of teaching statement is a narrative that includes:

• your conception of teaching and learning
• a description of how you teach
• a justification for why you teach that way

What is the Purpose of Developing a Philosophy of Teaching?

Individuals who are entering the teaching field are increasingly being asked to state their philosophy of teaching. There are numerous reasons why teaching philosophies are important, especially for those who are new to the educational field. It has been recognized by many teachers that the process of identifying a personal philosophy of teaching and continuously examining, testifying, and verifying this philosophy through teaching can lead to change of teaching behaviors and ultimately foster professional and personal growth.

General Formatting Suggestions

There is no required content or set format.There is no right or wrong way to create a philosophy statement, which is why it is so challenging for most people to write one. You may decide to write in prose, use famous quotes, create visuals, use a question/answer format, etc.

It is generally needs to be 1-2 pages in length.For some purposes, an extended description is appropriate, but length should suit the context. A more detailed description of the requirements can be found on Canvas.