Teaching statements are becoming more and more relevant to the hiring process. As they reflect who you are as an educator, your future employer will able to get insights on your beliefs and practices.

A teaching statement is your portrait that shows the human being behind your transcripts and accomplishments. It should describe not only the way you teach but also the way your students learn. 

First Thoughts

Before starting with the narrative, it is advisable to sketch some thoughts related to your teaching experience, which might include some of the following:

• What your style of teaching is and why you chose it.
• On what aspects of teaching you rely on, discerning which method/s to use.
• What your goals are and how you facilitate learning.
• The tools you use to provide an enriching learning environment for your students. What kind of activities you give them.
• The way your thoughts and teaching practices have changed over time.

What your teaching statement should include

The committee will be reading lots of candidates' literature along several months, so your statement should be cohesive and engaging. You may want to structure it on three fundamental pillars focused on the what, the how, and the why.

What refers to your objectives as an education professional, your teaching goals, and fundamental concepts that will enrich your students. Also, what methods and teaching strategies you use according to the different learning environments and student populations. Particulars should include what courses you have developed and taught and how you would structure new ones and your approach to assessment techniques for your students and yourself. 

How relates to the way you implement your methods and involve your students to participate actively in their learning process. In other words, your approach to teaching. It is advisable to include specific examples, such as action plans, to encourage collaborative work and group discussions to foster critical thinking. Student assessment is an essential phase in the learning process. Consequently, you may want to expressly address it with examples and giving your teaching philosophy approach. An important aspect of assessment to mention is its value as a lesson on your teaching.

Why should elaborate on your choice to be an educator and how this career rewards you. It may help you to describe how you have evolved professionally and your long-term goals.

Some tips

• Seriously reflecting on your first thoughts -mentioned above, will help you give real meaning to your writing.
• Personalizing your statement will make it unique. If you get too much extra help, the search committee will notice that your writing style is different from other documentation in your application package. On the other hand, if you customize it to the position published and the courses offered by the department, as you did with your resume and other documentation, the search committee will be aware that this job is a top priority for you. However, if you decide to use the same statement as a basis for various places, pay special attention not to include comments or other institutions' names.
• It is not desirable to use too much jargon or getting too philosophical about the teaching profession.
• If the application package requires you to write a statement, be ready to provide it. Although the statement is not a synonym of acceptance, it will help articulate your abilities more coherently during the interview process. 

One last tip, give yourself plenty of time to meditate, write, and revise.

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