# Teachers - any tips for writing an effective teaching philosophy?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teachers-any-tips-for-writing-an-effective-teaching-philosophy/574085>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [March 9, 2011, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teachers-any-tips-for-writing-an-effective-teaching-philosophy/574085 "2011-03-09T20:41:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teachers-any-tips-for-writing-an-effective-teaching-philosophy/574085/1 "2011-03-09T20:41:02Z")

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So I’m applying for a teaching position at a local university’s Dept. of Biology. They require a teaching philosophy statement. Trouble is, all the ones I’ve seen as examples online are fluffy, almost woo-filled garbage. They have to do with connecting to the students’ inner children and the great circle of education, blah blah blah. I just can’t believe a bunch of research scientists would give a shit about all that junk. Or would they?

Would any teachers be willing to share experiences or tips in this area?

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**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teachers-any-tips-for-writing-an-effective-teaching-philosophy/574085/2 "2011-03-09T23:12:47Z")

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Well, what _is_ your teaching philosophy? What’s your approach to teaching? What do you think makes an effective teacher?

I think the hiring committee wants to know what you are/would be like as a teacher. They want to see if you have a positive yet realistic attitude toward your students, your subject matter, and the profession of teaching them/it.

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**Author:** ![QuarkChild](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/c5a1d2/32.png) [@QuarkChild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuarkChild)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teachers-any-tips-for-writing-an-effective-teaching-philosophy/574085/3 "2011-03-09T23:26:31Z")

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My teaching philosophy (for physics professor positions) talks about what influenced me in the physics education literature, and how I apply the research in my classes. When I was interviewed for a position last year someone on the hiring committee told me that one thing that impressed them about my application was that I seemed to be serious about physics education and not just giving lip service to it.

YMMV.