Writing a Philosophy Statement

Caroline R. Pryor is Professor of Curriculum and Instruction in the School of Education, Health, and Human Behavior at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She joined SIUE in 2005 after having served five years as Assistant Professor/Regents Fellow at Texas A&M University. Pryor teaches graduate courses in Analysis of Instruction, Curriculum Models, Adult Education and Grant Writing. Pryor's teaching and research focus is STEM-Social Studies curriculum integration, with a focus on philosophical approaches to teaching. She is the immediate past chair of the Special Interest Group (SIG) Democratic Citizenship in Education of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) and serves on the SIUE Museum Advisory Council.

• Section One Overview Introduction Five Philosophical Approaches The Executive Approach Descriptors of an Executive Teacher    Teaching Example The Humanist Approach Descriptors of a Humanist Teacher Teaching Example The Subject Specialist Approach Descriptors of a Subject Specialist Teacher Teaching Example The Citizen Teacher Approach Descriptors of a Citizen Teacher Teaching Example The Explorer Approach Descriptors of an Explorer Teacher Teaching Example Test for Understanding Table 1 Comparison of Five Approaches to Teaching Table 2 Philosophy of Education Scale Section Two Identifying Your Philosophical Approach Collecting Personal Artifacts Tips for Developing a Professional Journal Creating a Professional Journal Tips for Writing a Professional Journal Tips for Writing a Biographical Journal Tips for Interviewing Case Study: Five Approaches to Grading Philosophical Approaches in School Practices and Activities Sample Philosophy of Education Statements Section Three Organizing Your Data Personal Artifacts Journal Data Interview Data Case Study Example Results of the Philosophy of Education Scale Section Four How to Write a Philosophy of Education Statement Tips to the Writing Process Six fast paragraph starters Four quick editing tips Section Five Practical Use of your Philosophy of Education Statement Activities for Group Reflection and Discussion School Leadership and Administration Using a Philosophy Statement in Educational Leadership Job Interviews Sample Questions and Responses Practice Interview Sessions Graduate School Applications Staff Development Leadership Curriculum Development Appendices Appendix A: Historical Aspects of Five Philosophical Approaches to Teaching Appendix B: Table of Philosophic Ideas Appendix C: Supplemental Websites References About the Author