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[Scott]

As part of the interviewing process I've been asked to produce an essay on my formal teaching philosophy. Any advice would be appreciated -- particularly regarding the content and focus of the response.

Thank you.

[Cat]

I would start by writing, then answering a series of questions related to teaching and learning. Who "steers" more of the learning process? The teacher? The students? Is it a cooperative venture? Why do we attend school in the first place? Yes, many students are there to enhance their chances for making a buck, but is there more in it for you the teacher?

As far as your career choices go, why teaching and not accounting?  There are many more questions you could generate on this topic.
I think many applicants realize that when it comes down to it, teaching is a barrier in the way of what they really want to do ... which is to research and publish. It sounds simplistic, but you have to be absolutely certain you want to teach in the first place. Many applicants write very convincing philosophies when at the core they don't want to teach and may not even like people!

So in addition to generating and answering questions about teaching and learning, I would also clearly focus in on your motivations for entering this profession. Make sure your philosophy and your teaching practices match.

I think what many search committees watch for are the cliched platitudes that belong on a Hallmark card rather than in a formal teaching philosophy. In other words, avoid statements like "to teach is to touch the future," "quest for excellence," and other such pablum. Teaching is trench warfare, it's tough and oftentimes gritty, especially if your goal as a teacher is to see education as a process of transformation rather than status-quo maintainance.

[Anon]

The following Web site will give you what you need to put one together, as well as other items: http://career.berkeley.edu/PhDs/PhDportfolio.stm

It is part of a larger, helpful site for all graduate students or recent grads who need some help with the various items search committees may request. Check it out.

[B.F.]

I came up with many ideas about what to put in my teaching philosophy by reading other people's philosophies. Go to a search engine and type in the word "teaching philosophy" and many teaching philosophies will pop up. I read through them and noticed all the things that matched my philosophy. I also noticed all others organized their philosophy. Using that information, I created my own. I used their ideas as a stimulus for what I wanted to include in mine.

[Jimster]

In addition to Cat's good advice, I'd suggest giving some detail on your teaching practice. If your preferred method is lecturing, then say so, and explain why you choose that method. If you give writing assignments, or conduct in-class collaborative-learning exercises, or use Web-based tools to augment your face-to-face classes, or use other methods, then talk about them and explain why/how they make you an effective teacher.