A teaching philosophy statement helps instructors reflect on their own path to teaching and empowering students. These statements are often used to help teachers define their philosophy, track their growth, and reflect deeply on their teaching theory and practice. They also are used to apply for an academic positions.
A Teaching Philosophy Statement should describe an instructors:
- conception of how learning occurs,
- approach to facilitating student learning,
- beliefs about why they teach the way they do (reflection questions are provided below),
- goals for themselves and for their students,
- teaching practices and how they support their beliefs and goals,
- approaches for creating an inclusive learning environment,
- strategies for assessing student learning, and
- interests in new techniques, activities, and types of learning!
Below are some resources to help guide the development of your teaching philosophy and write your teaching statement. If you would like feedback on your teaching statement, please email your request, along with an electronic copy, to [email protected].
Teaching Philosophy Statement Guide
A short guide to developing a teaching philosophy and writing the teaching statement.
Educational Philosophies Overview
There are many different types of philosophies in education. In this brief overview, only the four main types of philosophies are summarized – Perennialism, Essentialism, Romanticism and Progressivism. Understanding educational philosophies can help inform your teaching philosophy and write your teaching statement.
Educational Philosophy Self-Inventory
To find out which teaching philosophy to ascribe to, take this brief self-inventory!
Rubric for Teaching Philopsophy Statements
Assess your statement using this helpful rubric (Kaplan, O’Neal, Meizlish, Carillo, & Kardia, 2007).
Additionally resources:
Presentation on “How to Write a Teaching Statement”
Dr. Megan Sampley Bohn, Assistant Director, School of Medicine Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, Johns Hopkins University
Annotated Teaching Statement example
Dr. Richard Brown, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University
Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching