Developing and writing a philosophy of teaching statement

1ALBON/EACE 481/2011

DEFINITION TPs express your values and beliefs about teaching

TPs are personal statements that

Introduce you as a teacher (to your reader)

Written in first person

Convey a confident and professional tone

They contain specific examples to illustrate your points

They illustrate how your values and beliefs fit into your ECE area (or primary)


Getting Startedno 1

1. Draw a mind map to cluster your beliefs and values together.

2. What do I mean by learning?

3. What happens in a successful learning situation?

4. List your values, beliefs and aspirations as a teacher

Answer these questions using key words or phrases. Be clear you understand learning and mastery.

Consider mastery, life-long learning, transformational learning, constructivist learning, play based learning) see text p75-82

What does a perfect teaching situation look like? Why consider this?

Are you a coach, general, entertainer, martyr…what?


Keep goingNo 2

1. What are your goals for students – the young children you teach?

What skills should students obtain as a result of your teaching?

Think of the ideal student and what your outcomes would be for this student.

What methods and pedagogy will you use so students learn and you achieve your planned goals and objectives?

Think of goals for specific classes, kind of student, the curricula and your rationale for these (critical thinking, problem solving, independent learning…)


And more to think about…..No 3

What methods will you use to reach these goals and achieve personal objectives?

What are your beliefs regarding various learning theories? And schools and particular methods of teaching and learning? Eggroup work, role play, learning a second language, use of realia etc )


Are you still thinking? No 4

How do you interact with students?

What are your attitudes towards telling or suggesting to students; advising and coaching?

What would an observer see when you interact with students?

Why do you want to work with students?


Yes… still moreNo 5

How will you assess student understanding?

What are your beliefs about marking and grading for these young children?

Do use criterion or norm referenced marking?

Think of all the types or ways you assess..why these ?

Do you use case studies, portfolios, presentations,


Lastly…No 6.

How have you grown as a teacher and how will continue to grow?

How do you know you have taught effectively?

Comment on the goals you have for yourself for the future

How might you reach these goals?

Comment on the changes and growth in your attitudes toward teaching and learning over time?

What is the role of reflection and student/parent evaluation in future teaching?


TASK

Write a short paragraph on each of the 6 points

Read through these and highlight any re-occurring words.

Decide whether you might group these together as one or more themes.


Task 2

Now add specific examples to your paragraphs

I value helping my students understand difficult concepts. I am extremely competent at understanding their development in various cognitive areas and learning domains.

Given this statement how would you describe what happens in your classroom? Is your description specific enough to bring the scene to life in a teaching philosophy?


TASK 3

Now you need to assess your draft: Use the checklist presented on the next 4 slides and the rubrics on the 3 handouts.

Teaching Philosophy Checklist

Purpose & Audience

Given the intended audience and

purpose that the writer has shared

with you:

Is there a clear focus or theme(s)?

Are the language and tone appropriate without relying on trite phrases or jargon?

Would it hold the audience's attention?


Checklist

Is it "authentic" - focused on the

writer and personal? Do you have an idea

of who this person is as a teacher (or

aspires to be)?

Voice Does the writer reveal self and

personal/political/pedagogical commitments?

Is enthusiasm for teaching evident?

Does it sound as though the writer cares about the beliefs expressed and the arguments being made?

Would you like to take a course taught by the writer?


Beliefs

/Arguments/Claims & Illustrative Support

Does it detail what the writer believes in a way that is engaging, specific, and easy to understand?

Does it detail why and how these beliefs are held?

Does it define the writer's goals for and expectations of learners?

Are the beliefs/arguments/claims grounded in the writer's discipline?

Is the relationship between the writer's discipline and beliefs about teaching and learning made clear?

Are the beliefs/arguments/claims supported by evidence, examples, anecdotes, etc.?

Are there specific examples of strategies, methods, or theories used to achieve teaching and learning goals and to help students meet or exceed expectations?


Conventions

Are headings, transitions, and paragraph design appropriate to the content?

Are length and thematic structure appropriate to the content?

Are the elements presented in a parallel style and format across and within sections/paragraphs?

Are there any distracting grammatical, typographical, or spelling errors?

Center for Teaching and LearningUniversity Office Plaza, Suite 400, 2221 University Ave. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55414


Task 4

Review the following example

Read the sample page philosophy

Use the rubrics to rate the quality of this sample statement


TASK 5

Complete your own statement of teaching philosophy.

Use all the acquired information to help you review and write several drafts


Education

Developing and writing a philosophy of teaching statement