writing guides + tutorials

•The University of Minnesota provides online tutorials that guide you through the process of articulating your teaching philosophy as well as guides related to course development and teaching methodologies and strategies.

• Kate Casanova shared the following resource:

What does a Teaching Statement Include?

A Teaching Statement can address any or all of the following:

• Your conception of how learning occurs

• A description of how your teaching facilitates student learning

• A reflection of why you teach the way you do

• The goals you have for yourself and for your students

• How your teaching enacts your beliefs and goals

• What, for you, constitutes evidence of student learning

• The ways in which you create an inclusive learning environment

• Your interests in new techniques, activities, and types of learning

"If at all possible, your statement should enable the reader to imagine you in the classroom, teaching. You want to include sufficient information for picturing not only you in the process of teaching, but also your class in the process of learning." - Helen G. Grundman, Writing a Teaching Philosophy Statement

General Guidelines

• Make your Teaching Statement brief and well written. While Teaching Statements are probably longer at the tenure level (i.e. 3-5 pages or more), for hiring purposes they are typically 1-2 pages in length.

• Use narrative, first-person approach. This allows the Teaching Statement to be both personal and reflective.

• Be sincere and unique. Avoid clichés, especially ones about how much passion you have for teaching.

• Make it specific rather than abstract. Ground your ideas in 1-2 concrete examples, whether experienced or anticipated. This will help the reader to better visualize you in the classroom.

• Be discipline specific. Do not ignore your research. Explain how you advance your field through teaching.

• Avoid jargon and technical terms, as they can be off-putting to some readers.
Try not to simply repeat what is in your CV. Teaching Statements are not exhaustive documents and should be used to complement other materials for the hiring or tenure processes.

• Be humble. Mention students in an enthusiastic, not condescending way, and illustrate your willingness to learn from your students and colleagues.

• Revise. Teaching is an evolving, reflective process, and Teaching Statements can be adapted and changed as necessary.

Reflection Questions To Help You Get You Started:*

• Why do you teach the way you do?

• What should students expect of you as a teacher?

• What is a method of teaching you rely on frequently? Why don't you use a different method?

• What do you want students to learn? How do you know your goals for students are being met?

• What should your students be able to know or do as a result of taking your class?

• How can your teaching facilitate student learning?

• How do you as a teacher create an engaging or enriching learning environment?

• What specific activities or exercises do you use to engage your students? What do you want your students to learn from these activities?

• How has your thinking about teaching changed over time? Why?