Statement of Teaching Philosophy Workshop

Suzanne Martin

Health/STEM Career Adviser

Teaching Philosophy

Yes, you really do have one…

Teaching Philosophy Purpose

• To give the hiring committee some idea of who you are• To reveal information not easily seen in your cover letter, CV, and transcripts• To show you know something about the institution you plan to enter and that you are a good fit• To show your commitment to the field and to STUDENTS• To get you an interview and/or microteach

Teaching Philosophy Content

• Why do you teach?

• What do you teach?• Discipline(s) or course(s)

• How do you teach?• Ground examples in the discipline• Keep institutional mission in mind

• How do you measure your effectiveness?

Common Mistakes• Rehashing your cover letter, CV, or transcripts• Underestimating the importance of the statement• PROCRASTINATING• Using cliches or quotations• I, I, I, I, I……. (NOT student centered)• Not providing examples or evidence to back up descriptive comments about yourself• Making negative or condescending remarks

Common Mistakes• Poorly written• Spelling errors• Grammar problems

• Coming across as arrogant• Example (of what TO DO): Shaun White

• Not demonstrating an understanding of the institution and its mission• Research focus• Undergraduate research commitment• Religious mission• Environmental mission• Critical thinking focus• Workforce development

Organizing the Statement of Teaching Philosophy

Organizing the Statement of Teaching Philosophy

REMEMBER: Portray yourself as…

• Passionate about the field

• Student centered

• Collegial

• Humble (still learning)

• Potentially outstanding representative of that institution

Organizing the Statement

• Hook

• Background in the field• Be specific• Use examples

• Commitment to teaching and learning

• Understanding of institutional mission, vision, values

Teaching Philosophy Resources

The Chronicle of Higher Education

http://chronicle.com/article/How-to-Write-a-Statement-of/45133/

Ohio State University Center for Advancement of Teaching

http://ucat.osu.edu/teaching_portfolio/philosophy/philosophy2.html

University of Michigan Center for Research on Teaching and Learning

http://www.crlt.umich.edu/tstrategies/tstpts.php

Iowa State University Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching

http://www.celt.iastate.edu/teaching/philosophy.html

Princeton University McGraw Library

http://www.princeton.edu/mcgraw/library/for-grad-students/teaching-statement/

UCSC Career Advising

http://www.delicious.com/stacks/healthstem