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Educational Philosophy Basics
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An educational philosophy is a personal statement of a teacher's guiding principles about "big picture" education-related issues, such as how student learning and potential are most effectively maximized, as well as the role of educators in the classroom, school, community, and society
Each teacher comes to the classroom with a unique set of principles and ideals that affects student performance. A statement of educational philosophy sums up these tenets for self-reflection, professional growth, and sometimes sharing with the larger school community.
An example of the opening statement for an educational philosophy is, "I believe that a teacher should have the highest of expectations for each of her students. This maximizes the positive benefits that come naturally with any self-fulfilling prophecy. With dedication, perseverance, and hard work, her students will rise to the occasion."
Designing Your Educational Philosophy Statement
Writing an educational philosophy statement is often part of degree courses for teachers. Once you write one, it can be used to guide your answers in job interviews, included in your teaching portfolio, and distributed to your students and their parents. You can modify it over the course of your teaching career.
It begins with an introductory paragraph summarizing the teacher's point of view on education and the teaching style you will use. It can be a vision of your perfect classroom. The statement usually contains two or more paragraphs and a conclusion. The second paragraph can discuss your teaching style and how you will motivate your students to learn. The third paragraph can explain how you plan to assess your students and encourage their progress. The last paragraph summarizes the statement again.
Educational Philosophy Examples
As with your students, you may be able to learn best by seeing samples that can help inspire you. You can modify these examples, using their structure but rewording them to reflect your own viewpoint, teaching style, and ideal classroom.
- Teaching Philosophy Statement Examples : These four examples of the first paragraph of an educational philosophy statement can help you when you are developing your own.
- Educational Philosophy Sample : This full sample shows the structure of four paragraphs for an educational philosophy statement.
Using Your Educational Philosophy Statement
An educational philosophy statement is not just a one-and-done exercise. You can use it at many points in your teaching career and you should revisit it annually to review and refresh it.
- Your Teacher Application and Interview : When you apply for a teaching job, you can expect that one of the questions will be about your teaching philosophy. Review your educational philosophy statement and be prepared to discuss it at the interview or provide it in your job application.
- Preparing for the New School Year or a Classroom Change: How has your experience in the classroom changed your educational philosophy? Before the start of each year, or when changing classrooms, set aside time to reflect on your philosophy statement. Update it and add it to your portfolio.
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How to write your philosophy of education statement
The Philosophy of Education Statement is an important piece in your educator portfolio. It may be requested by hiring personnel at schools to be included with a cover letter and resume. Your teaching philosophy should be thoughtful, organized and well-written. The summary should be between 1-2 pages and should document and support your core educational principles.
- First, state your objectives as a teacher. These need to be achievable through some form of assessment.
- Second, you will want to outline the methods by which you will achieve your teaching objectives.
- Third, you will need to have demonstrated evidence of your achievements. This may take the form of standardized assessments or evaluations.
- Forth, allude to the factors that motivate you to be in the teaching profession. This is where you can be cerebral. State what motivates you to be in the teaching profession.
Some Important Considerations
Your core values and beliefs.
The statement should reflect your core values and beliefs in terms of teaching. Consider your thoughts regarding the nature of students, the purpose of education and how people learn, and the role of teacher. As you develop your educational philosophy, think about completing the following statements:
- I believe the purposes of education are ...
- I believe that students learn best when...
- I believe that the following curriculum basics will contribute to the social, emotional, intellectual and physical development of my students ...
- I believe that a good learning environment is one in which ...
- I believe that all students have the following basic needs ...
- In order to further the growth and learning of my students, these basic needs will be met in my classroom through ...
- I believe that teachers should have the following qualities ...
Why You Teach
- What is the purpose of education?
- What is your role as an educator?
Whom You Teach
- How will you reach the diverse students in your classroom?
- How do you define your community of learners?
How and What You Teach
- What are your beliefs about how students learn?
- How will your beliefs affect your teaching? Think about management, instructional strategies, curriculum design and assessment.
- How do you balance the needs of the individual learner with the needs of the classroom community?
- What are your goals for students?
Where You Teach
- How will you bring a global awareness to your classroom?
- What will be your relationship with the community, parents, teaching colleagues and administration?
Completing the Application
Don't cut corners! As you are completing your applications, keep in mind that they are as important to your job search as your resume, letter of interest and other documents in your application packet. You are encouraged not to rush through completing your applications. Regional applications may be required instead of or in addition to the employer’s individual application.
- Be consistent with the information you provide on the application and on your resume. Make sure there are no contradictions of dates and places of employment and education.
- Do not make up an answer. Be honest. If you embellish, it will eventually catch up with you and you will leave a negative impression on the employer.
- Extra-curricular activities, which you may be willing to sponsor or coach, may be listed on most applications. Your willingness to sponsor activities can sometimes enhance your consideration for positions.
- Follow the application directions exactly. The directions may be different for each application you complete, so read all the directions carefully. Enter the correct information in the correct fields.
- Grammatical rules should be followed at all times. Teachers are held to high standards. Errors are unacceptable.
- Humor in your responses on an application can come across as sarcastic or flippant.
- Remember, an application may be a prospective employer’s first introduction to you; make it a professional one.
- Incomplete applications give the appearance of poor attention to detail. It is always best to respond to each question posed on an application whenever possible. An employer would not ask it if s/he did not want an answer.
- Never answer a question with “See my resume.”