What's your philosophy? A provision to keep in mind is that if you can’t imagine anyone disagreeing with your philosophy (that is, disagreeing intelligently, for well-thought-out reasons), then you’ve probably landed on an obvious truism. Prepare your answer prior to the interview: Practice describing your beliefs, goals, and methods. I must remember that my patients are not room numbers or medical conditions, but individuals that require and deserve individualized attention and care.” Do not think about the answers too long. Women   |  Men   |  Couples   |  Adults   |  Kids   |  Living   |  Health   |  Career   |  Animals   |  Entertainment   |  Food   |  Personality   |  Technology   |  Sport   |  Travel, Home  |  Advertise  |  Contact  |  About  |  Privacy Policy  |  Cookie Policy. I believe we never stop learning, and I want my students to know we can learn from each other. When you apply for a job as a teacher, you may be asked about your teaching philosophy. That is why you are here now: you are examining your ideas by considering others'. One way I emphasize this philosophy in my classes is to incorporate regular feedback from students. That is why you are here now: you are examining your ideas by considering others'. I am part of this school of thought. The Balance Careers uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. However, only share an example if you have enough time. Make sure you’re able to articulate your beliefs succinctly. What principles are demonstrated by your work? –, How have you used technology in the classroom? “My teaching philosophy is grounded in the idea that students’ minds are not empty vessels waiting to be filled. If your educational philosophy actually is that everyone deserves a chance (or something similar), then be sure to make your statement unique by explaining how you see the principle of equality as relevant to education. Avoid wordiness. If you think you answered incorrectly, you can always go back to any question and change your answer. This test is not based on any scientific study whatsoever. Sometimes finding out your own personal philosophy means looking a bit at others, and understanding which thinkers you most (dis)agree with. Discovering and developing one's philosophy requires self-awareness, a desire to understand, and the will and ability to learn. Why did you decide to become a teacher? They only say that because they are insecure about themselves. (Although, you should have specifics to offer in case there’s time to speak in-depth.). A better kind of quiz site: no pop-ups, no registration requirements, just high-quality quizzes Unfortunately, most people do not know when to talk and when to stop talking. Please take this quiz, and print out your results. For example, I ask students to fill out a mid-course evaluation of the class, in which they reflect on the course goals and provide feedback on whether or not the course is helping them meet these goals thus far. A poorly organized or less-than-succinct statement will be hard for other people to understand and could hurt you. Think about your teaching methods and goals. You can also make brief mention of educational theories or scientific studies that support your philosophy, or you can refer to other educators who exemplify your philosophy. Cornell University Graduate School. Be able to provide more detail if required. I learn from students as much as they learn from me. Each one of them brings their own particular brand of genius to my classroom, and my most important job is to discover and empower that genius.” – Ms. D, “iPads for English Language Learners” “’If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.’ This quote by Ignacio Estrada represents m… Also consider how you've put your ideas about education into action, and what principles are demonstrated by your work in the classroom. Be succinct: Summarize your philosophy in a sentence or two. Rating helps us to know which quizzes are good and which are bad. What standards do you set for yourself, and why?   Your philosophy is often a combination of methods you studied in college or graduate school and lessons learned during any professional experience since then. A personal philosophy is a fundamental and integrated understanding about existence and your relationship to all related issues. This is a good answer to give if there’s time to elaborate. Think about the methods you apply in the classroom, and your goals for your students. This is not the sort of question you should fumble or improvise on the fly. "Teaching Philosophy Statement." So, philosophies are sort of like life answers. And walk away with a smile. Avoid clichés: Be able to show how your statement relates to your unique point of view. The interviewer wants to know that you have a teaching philosophy, that you can articulate it, and that your beliefs about teaching and learning are a good fit for the school. Get to the point. Simply put, if your philosophy is a truism or a cliché, it’s obvious you didn’t put much thought into it. Answering Job Interview Questions About Strengths and Weaknesses, Interview Answers About What Inspired You to Become a Teacher, How to Give a Good Answer to "How Did You Pick Your Major? What is GotoQuiz? Why It Works: This answer provides specifics about how the teacher sees their role. Ignore Them, you know your better than that. Humans look to philosophy to help us answer the big questions in life. If you have already been speaking for a couple of minutes, or if you feel that the interviewer wants to move on, you can skip this part. If you sense that the interviewer wants to move on, don’t provide more detail. I believe the classroom is a living community and that everyone, from the principal to the students to the parents, must contribute in order to maintain a positive atmosphere. The interviewer wants to see that you understand your teaching philosophy and can describe it well. Which philosophy do you embody? Interview Question: "What Is Your Teaching Philosophy?". You can share it with your friends :). It’s an explanation of your values and beliefs as they relate to teaching. Defining your Personal Philosophy, Who is your Harry Potter Soulmate? To me, my philosophy of life guides my actions and how I relate to people. Now, let’s apply the three-step system and look at some sample answers. Accessed April 22, 2020. Should you accept what is happening? Do you trust your mind or your eyes? Find out! How have you put your ideas into action? ", Sample Cover Letter and Resume for a Teacher, Best Ways to Answer Interview Questions About Strengths, 12 Common Teacher Interview Questions and Best Answers, Best Answers for What is Your Greatest Weakness With Examples, How to Answer Interview Questions About Organization, How to Answer Job Interview Questions About Pet Peeves, Answers for Common Interview Question for Sales Positions, How to Answer "What Interests You About this Job?". It is intended for fun only so do not treat the result too seriously :). Students have been so insightful, providing useful information for me on what is working in class, and what I can improve upon. There is a reason why we have two ears and one mouth. "Pedagogical Theories." Everyone in the classroom contributes as a student, teacher, and thinker.