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The teaching statement, sometimes called a teaching philosophy, is one of the most challenging parts of an academic job application, but it is also the document with the most potential to showcase your specific strengths as a candidate. So how do you convey your unique teaching style, while making sure to check all the expected boxes of this writing genre? How do you balance theoretical claims about your pedagogical philosophy with concrete examples from your classroom experience? And what if you don’t have much teaching experience yet?
This article will offer some tips for approaching this notoriously tricky document, with helpful advice from Adnan Rasool, associate professor at University of Tennessee at Martin and director of the UTM Center for Teaching and Learning, and Caitlin Luetger-Schlewitt, a lecturer in leadership and career readiness who has served on numerous hiring committees in her 15-year career. If you are currently on the job market or starting to prepare your materials, read on for expert suggestions and useful resources for crafting your best teaching statement.
Essential Components
There are some established norms around the teaching statement that are important to follow as you craft your document. First, the statement needs to articulate how you think about being a teacher (the “philosophy” portion). But, as Luetger-Schlewitt points out, “It also isn’t enough to just say you are ‘student-centered.’ You want to follow that assertion with a few solid examples.” Therefore, the statement must also outline your actual teaching experience and specific methods you use in the classroom. Finally, the statement should mention existing classes at the hiring institution that you could teach, as well as classes you might develop for the program — a fun exercise in creative pedagogical thinking. “Talk about what gets you excited,” says Rasool, and focus on “how your pedagogy is applied instead of simply talking about the virtues of pedagogy.”
In terms of balancing the sections, about 70% of the statement should focus on philosophy and prior experience, with the other 30% focusing on existing and hypothetical courses at the hiring institution. “Sometimes teaching philosophies are vague or they aren’t targeted in the right way, and that can be a disservice to even the most qualified candidates,” warns Luetger-Schlewitt. Starting with a clear structure that makes space for each of the essential components, will help ensure an effective teaching statement. Write using first-person point of view, avoid jargon, and be concise — most teaching statements should be no more than 2 pages.
Facts Over Feelings
It can be tempting to craft a pathos-driven narrative in your statement in an attempt to convey your passion for pedagogy, but Luetger-Schlewitt advises against this impulse. “Some teaching philosophies veer heavily into the territory of feelings and focus too much on why the writer became a professor or why they love teaching,” she says. “These pieces are important parts of your career story, but they don’t usually show any evidence to support why you’ll be a great hire.” Instead, Luetger-Schlewitt suggests, use “clear and relevant examples” from your classroom experience to give the committee tangible evidence of your teaching ability. “Studying pedagogy and actually employing it on the daily are two different things,” notes Rasool, “and that is a distinction that can really make a difference when writing an effective statement.” For example, rather than simply stating your belief in inclusive teaching practices, demonstrate it by sharing actual steps you take to prioritize accessibility of course materials, disability accommodations, and inclusion of students from underrepresented backgrounds. Don’t be afraid to get granular with your evidence — specific assignments, lectures, and classroom moments are compelling evidence. If you propose using a particular pedagogical approach at the institution you’re applying to, be sure to support it with evidence of past success, such as a student evaluation expressing appreciation for your teaching style.
But what if you don’t have much direct teaching experience yet? Luetger-Schlewitt says that’s okay. “If you’re new to teaching, draw on the limited relevant experience you do have and balance it out with insight on how you plan to let your philosophy guide you in the classroom,” she says. “This is also a great opportunity to link your research to your teaching and highlight examples that showcase how your research informs your philosophy and complements your teaching practice.” Making sure that your teaching statement fits into the larger picture and tone of your dossier is important, another reason to avoid overly emotional language.
A Tailored Fit
Tailoring your teaching statement to each hiring university can be a tedious part of the application process but is necessary. While the bulk of the statement can remain the same (most of that 70% mentioned above), the other 30% will look different depending on the prospective department. “Make sure you’re researching the institution to understand their priorities so you can tweak your philosophy to include relevant examples that align with the role,” advises Luetger-Schlewitt. This includes learning about the department’s course offerings and requirements, class sizes, other instructors, etc. “Aligning your philosophy with the school you’re applying to offers the hiring committee a clearer idea of how you might be successful in that role,” she says. Find out what classes you might teach if hired, and learn what you can about them. This section of your statement is a great opportunity to connect what you have already accomplished as a teacher to what you will bring to the specific courses in the prospective department.
Keep in mind that the institution-specific sections of your statement should still be about you and your teaching approach, but they should be forward-looking. This is another chance to clearly articulate how you plan to teach at the prospective institution. Bring in specific examples and connect them to your fit for the position. “Talk about the kind of assignments you rely on, how you set up assessments, and how you approach learning outcomes,” Rasool suggests. “Especially if you are applying to a teaching school, you need to explain exactly how you deploy your craft instead of vaguely talking about it.” Understanding the difference between teaching and research universities is also key for tailoring your teaching statement and application as a whole.
Conclusion
Every aspect of your dossier is important in a job application, but the teaching statement is a unique opportunity to bring the hiring committee into your world. Take advantage of this space to showcase your strengths and complement the rest of your application. Rasool reminds us that this is a “technical document” above all else, and understanding the expectations of the genre is the first step to writing your best teaching statement. By anchoring your prose in tangible examples, avoiding the urge to pontificate, and writing in clear and jargon-free language, you can craft a statement that truly represents who you are as a teacher and how well you are suited to the desired position.
