Philosophy of Teaching Statement INSTRUCTIONS Your philosophy of education should be written in essay form and include all of the following parts. Please divide your paper into paragraphs using the following guidelines, making sure you address all the areas under each section. Do not use subheadings, bullets or numbers to indicate subtopic changes. Feel free to write in first person. Express yourself! Please try to keep it to 1-2 double-spaced typed pages. 1. Purpose of Education ● Combine your personal experiences and knowledge gained from this class and other sources to describe what schools believe students should know and be able to do. ● What major historical events or trends have greatly influenced this belief? Ground your ideas in the educational literature related to this belief or beliefs. ● Where would you put yourself on the scale of “teacher-centered to student-centered?” And why? Consider all 5 philosophies of education. 2. Curriculum: What Should Be Taught and Why? ● How is curriculum selected? What subjects should be included? ● What skills should be encouraged across the curriculum in order to produce well-educated individuals? Give two examples of diverse students (race/ethnicity, poverty, LGBT, male/female, learning styles, disability/GT, ELL) and how their needs can be accommodated or differentiated for in the classroom. 3. Nature of the Learner ● What would the responsibilities of the learners be? ● How should students interact in the school environment with peers, teachers and administrators? Give examples for each. 4. Teaching Methods: What Should Be Used and Why? ● What type of physical learning environment should be created? ● How do you envision your classroom? ● What makes a school or classroom most effective? 5. Role of the Teacher ● What types of relationships should the teacher have with administration, fellow teachers, parents/guardians, and students? What do these relationships “look like?” Give brief examples. ● What values should you promote? ● What is your job? 6. Ongoing Professional Development ● How will you continue your professional growth to better understand and realize your philosophy? ● What are those things that you need to start, stop, and continue doing to become a successful educator and professional? Specifications for the Philosophy ● ● 1 to 2 pages (Your philosophy should be no longer than two typed pages, but one is preferable. Double-Spaced