Introduction to Teaching Philosophy Statements

In this session, we’ll explore the core purposes and common components of a teaching philosophy statement (TPS), look at sample excerpts from a variety of styles and disciplines, and discuss how to write your statement in a way that feels authentic to you as an educator. We’ll also consider how your TPS can connect to the institution’s mission or strategic priorities and acknowledge other types of statements you might be asked to prepare. 

Whether you’re preparing a TPS for tenure, promotion, reappointment or a new position, this session will give you practical starting points and ideas you can immediately carry into your writing.   

Please note that this session lays the groundwork for a follow-up working session where you’ll begin drafting or revising key sections of your TPS. 

This session will be recorded and shared to the CTLT YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@ctltresources ) approximately 1 week after the session. 

By the end of this session, you will be able to: 

• Explain the core purposes and common components of a teaching philosophy statement.
• Identify features in real examples that make a TPS clear and authentic.
• Recognize options for connecting a TPS to institutional mission or priorities.
• Articulate at least one belief or approach you want to highlight in your own statement.
• Identify a starting point for developing or revising your own TPS.