54 Unit 1 You: The Teacher of Tomorrow
Why do you need a statement of your philosophy of teaching? The
process of developing such a statement will help you think seriously
about your current ideas and beliefs, 2-7. Your statement will give others
insight into what is important to you. The courses you take and experi-
ences you have are likely to have an impact on your thinking. You can
update or rewrite your statement to refl ect these changes. This, too, is a
sign of growth. You can use your philosophy of teaching statement when
you apply to a college teacher preparation program. Eventually, it may be
used when you apply for your fi rst teaching position.
The most diffi cult part about writing a philosophy of teaching is to
articulate your thoughts, or put them into words. It is often made easier by
starting with questions. Use the questions in 2-8 to start your thinking.
When writing your statement, use language that everyone will under-
stand, rather than words you think will impress others. The format is up
to you. You may decide to write in the form of a story, use relevant quota-
tions, include visuals, or use a question/answer format. It is usually best
2-7
Developing your
philosophy of
teaching takes
careful thought.