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Chapter 2 Becoming a Teacher
Develop Your Philosophy of
Teaching
Teachers and student teachers often receive questions about
their philosophy of teaching. A philosophy of teaching is a personal
statement about your thoughts, views, and values as they relate to
teaching.
As a high school student interested in the teaching profession,
you already have ideas about the characteristics and qualities of good
teaching. What do you think a classroom environment should be like?
How should teachers and students relate to each other? Ideas and
opinions such as these form your philosophy of teaching.
Why do you need a statement about your philosophy of teaching?
The process of developing such a statement helps you think seriously
about your current ideas and beliefs (Figure 2.9). Your statement gives
others insight into what is important to you. The courses you take and
experiences you have are likely to have an impact on your thinking.
Figure 2.9 Developing your philosophy of teaching takes careful thought.