There can be many purposes for writing a teaching philosophy.1. An exercise in concisely gathering together your beliefs about teaching and learning so that youcan easily articulate them2. An introduction to your teaching portfolio, setting the stage for the reader of that portfolio.Expected lengthA philosophy of teaching is approximately one to two pages in length and written typically as anarrative. While a philosophy should cover a lot of ground, the writing also needs to be succinct. Theteaching philosophy is a document in progress. As your teaching changes and your professional identitygrows, your teaching philosophy will also change and grow.Writing GuidelinesTeaching philosophies express your values and beliefs about teaching. They are personal statementsthat introduce you, as a teacher, to your reader. As such, they are written in the first person and conveya confident, professional tone. When writing a teaching philosophy, use specific examples to illustrateyour points. Not all questions below should be directly answered, rather use the questions to guideyour planning and development of your philosophy. Revisit reflections, discussions, and content that wehave examined over the semester to hone in your thoughts.Concepts to consider when writing your philosophy:

1. Your concept of learning: What do I mean by learning? What are your beliefs in how children learnbest?2. Your concept of teaching: Note your values, beliefs, and aspirations as a teacher. When childrenleave your classroom, what do you want to have instilled in those children? What do you see yourrole as a teacher is? Who influences your teaching and why? What type of teacher do you want tobe and why?3. Your goals for your children: What skills should children obtain as the result of your teaching? Thinkabout your ideal student and what the outcomes of your teaching would be in terms of thisstudent's knowledge or behavior. Address the goals you have for specific classes or curricula and therationale behind them (i.e., critical thinking, writing, or problem solving).4. The methods you will use: What methods will you consider to reach these goals and objectives?What are your beliefs regarding learning theory and specific strategies you would use? You mightalso include any new ideas or strategies you have used or want to try.5. Your interaction with students: What are your attitudes toward supporting students in theirlearning? How would an observer see you interact with children? Why do you want to work withchildren?6. Specific examples: How are the values and beliefs noted above realized in classroom activities? Youmay discuss materials, lesson plans, activities, assessment instruments, etc.7. Assessing learning: How will you assess children’s growth and learning?8. Professional growth: How will you continue growing as a teacher? What goals do you have foryourself and how will you reach them? How will you use your children’s assessments to improveyour teaching? How might you learn new skills? How do you know when you have taughteffectively?

Please title: Teaching Philosophy

the left hand side please place: Michelle Martinez

CD.V62

04/19/2018