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EDUCATION

Teaching Philosophy – Overview

Here is the teaching philosophy overview for all teachers seeking to understand what entails in writing a teaching philosophy.

Your teaching philosophy is a self-reflective statement of your beliefs about teaching and learning. It’s a one to two page narrative that conveys your core ideas about being an effective teacher in the context of your discipline.

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It develops these ideas with specific, concrete examples of what the teacher and learners will do to achieve those goals. Importantly, your teaching philosophy statement also explains why you choose these options.

Reasons For Writing 

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Your reasons for writing a teaching philosophy may vary. You might be writing it as an exercise in concisely documenting your beliefs so that you can easily articulate them to your students, peers, or a search committee.

It might serve as the introduction to your teaching portfolio. Or, it can serve as a means of professional growth as it requires you to give examples of how you enact your philosophy, thus requiring you to consider the degree to which your teaching is congruent with your beliefs.

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Teacher Portfolio Requirements & Guidelines For All Teachers – Summary

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Teaching philosophies express your values and beliefs about teaching. They are personal statements that introduce you, as a teacher, to your reader. As such, they are written in the first person and convey a confident, professional tone. When writing a teaching philosophy, use specific examples to illustrate your points. You should also discuss how your values and beliefs about teaching fit into the context of your discipline.

Things ( IDEAS) To Look At When Setting Up An Idea For Your Philosophy

1. Your Concept of Learning

2. Your Concept of Teaching

3. Your Goals for Students

4. Your Teaching Methods

5. Your Interaction with Students

6. Assessing Your Ideas

After writing down your ideas, it is important to assess them to see whether they suit your style and the goal you want to achieve.

1. They offer evidence of practice (specific examples)
2. They are student-centered
3. They demonstrate reflectiveness
4. They demonstrate that the writer values teaching

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