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Reflection, Evaluation, Action 1

Creating a Teaching Philosophy

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Reflection, Evaluation, Action 2

Why do I have to change theway I learn just to fitthe wayyou teach?

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Reflection, Evaluation, Action 3

Quick Thinking Exercise!

A Teacher is a ___________________ .

A Student is a ___________________ .

In one minute, write as many descriptive terms

as you can think of to finish the followingstatements.

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Reflection, Evaluation, Action 5

What isa Philosophy?

A System of Motivating Concepts orPrinciples.

A Basic Theory or Viewpoint

A System of Values by Which OneLives/Acts

Inquiry? Search? Pursuit of Wisdom?

Contextual Interpretive Means?

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Why a Personal TeachingPhilosophy?

What a teacher believes about bothteaching and learning can have a majorimpact on the classroom environment.

Teachers tend to implement classroom

practices that reflect their philosophicalbeliefs.

Reflection, Evaluation, Action 6

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A well-reasoned personal philosophy canprovide a basis for appropriate action.

Reflection, Evaluation, Action 7

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Basic Teaching Philosophies

Basic philosophies span the spectrumfrom:

traditional and conservative to

contemporary and liberal

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Perennialist Teaching Philosophy(emphasis on values)

Rooted in realism (teacher-centered: 3Rs , moral and religious training are thehallmark.)

Based upon universal knowledge andcherished values of society.

Subjects that have stood the test of timeare the basis of the curriculum.

Universal ideals are the focus of thecurriculum -- goodness, truth, beauty.

Students minds are sponges designed tosoak up knowledge with teachers as

unquestionable authorities.

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Essentialist Teaching Philosophy(emphasis on knowledge)

Education seen as a mastery of essentialfacts and skills -- English, math, science,history, and foreign language (teacher-

centered education) Not rooted in the past, but is more

concerned with contemporary scene. Like perennialism, rejects art, music,

physical education, home making, andvocational ed. Interested in conceptual thought and the

principles and theories of subject matter. Teacher is seen as a master -- an

authority -- worthy of emulation.

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Progressivist Teaching Philosophy(emphasis on student experiences)

Student-centered educational process.

Democracy and education go hand in hand.

Learning must include content plus the skills oflearning -- problem solving, scientific inquiry,cooperative behaviors, self-regulation -- andmemorization is de-emphasized.

Curriculum tends to be interdisciplinary. Teaching methods are not based on authority.

The teacher is seen as more of a guide than anall-knowing sage.

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Reconstructionist Teaching Philosophy(emphasis on societal reform)

Places more emphasis on society-centerededucation.

Education to be relevant must also includeelements of social issues -- pluralism, equality,futurism.

Curriculum centers around social, economic, and

political issues. Students practice is modeled after society.

Teachers are considered prime units of socialand political change.

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Idiosyncratic Teaching Philosophies

A teacher will rarely cling to a single,identifiable teaching philosophy.

Most teachers are somewhat eclectic inthe formulation of their teachingphilosophies.

What is your teaching philosophy?

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Reflection, Evaluation, Action 15

How is WHATyou do, or HOWyou do it, a reflection of WHOyou are (As a Scholar? As ATeacher?)?

Teaching is doing(Or is itbeing?)

Answering these questions will put youon track to creating a meaningfulreflective teaching statement

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Reflection, Evaluation, Action 16

Lets Get Started!(Workshop Exercises)

Point-by-point Reflection Writing Exercise

Sharing Results/Reflections Summarize/Build Justifications for Your

Own Ideas

Begin by considering your answers to some basic

questions about how you approach teaching.

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Reflection, Evaluation, Action 17

How Do You See Yourself As ATeacher-Scholar?

Create Meaningful Reflective Statementsabout your Teaching, one step at a time

Answer FundamentalQuestions whenWriting Your Philosophy: What? How?

Why? Who? Creating a Written Dialoguewith

Yourself

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Reflection, Evaluation, Action 19

Philosophies Change As YouGrow Professionally

Teaching Philosophies are Organic

What Happens Now?

How Can I Use What Ive Created?

In The Classroom? In Job Applications/Interviews?

As A Means for Personal Growth?

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Reflection, Evaluation, Action 20

Teaching Philosophy Statements

I believe in creating an atmosphere inwhich students can learn.Steve Yelon

I believe in providing students with skillsthat they can use to teach themselves.Kevin M. Johnston

Are these as simple as they look?

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Reflection Evaluation Action 21

Partner Setup Guidelines

Now constract your shared Philosophy inTeaching

Please form your teams...