Discovering Your Teaching Philosophy

phi·los·o·phy 

The love of wisdom. A particular system of philosophical thought. 

What do you think of when you hear this word?

How about when I ask what your teaching philosophy may be? 

Whether you are a teacher for music, biology, or history, staying motivated and inspired during a pandemic is particularly difficult. Teaching online has created more obstacles for us and our students, and staying six feet apart with masks has put a strain on in-person sessions. We as teachers are struggling to maintain the important element of human connection. There is no better time than to really think about why we do what we do! I have found that looking back at my teaching philosophy has been a great reminder to me of why I teach music, and how I want to continue to make my lessons with students a safe learning space in the midst of a pandemic. 

When I first heard of having a teaching philosophy,  I was reluctant to it. This is because I did not have one and I did not know why I wanted to teach at all, and if it was necessary. But, I could not stop thinking about it. I realized how important having a teaching philosophy is. It is the basis of why we teach as well as how we teach. The beautiful thing about it is that we are able to make it whatever we want to fit who we truly are as people, and how we strive to impact others. This is more than just teaching ceramics or how to strum a guitar. This is the foundation of what kind of influence we have on those we are connecting with. 

    So where do we even begin? The first step I took to get started with my teaching philosophy statement is to make two lists. The first list will highlight all of who you are as a person. What are your values? How do you want to connect with your students? What are your strengths?

   A few points on my list are that I value learning about what makes others' eyes light up. What do others love to do in their free time and for their own enjoyment? I believe I am very empathetic, and I love catching up over a cup of coffee with my friends. My number one priority in my life is my family, and being able to take care of them the best I can. I enjoy exercising and staying healthy, and I love to read! 

    Even though some of these points have nothing to do with teaching music, my experiences and my characteristics are unique to me. These are ways that I can connect with my students through more than just music. This makes me a human just like them, and helps me to understand them even better so I can help them reach their full potential of musicianship and being the best human they can be. 

    Do not discount what makes you unique, even if it has nothing to do with your field. Every experience you create in your life is and can be used to yours and your student's advantage! 

    Next, let's make a list of your experience. This can include the degree you earned, or the job you worked for the last ten years. Yes, even if you got a mechanical engineering degree, you have valuable skills to bring to the table of private teaching. I am a barista and have learned so much about myself and others from this job! I also hold a Bachelor's degree in Clarinet Performance and have been studying music for over twenty years. 

You do not have to have years of teaching to start right now. Your students are looking to connect with you for who you are, what you have done and learn from you. You have the position to be a great example to them of what hard work can look like, which you learned yourself from being a mechanical engineer. If you worked at a daycare for a few years, you can be a caring and empathetic role model for them. Your experiences and your character all matter in the world of educating the younger generation. Use it to your advantage!

    All of these contribute to your teaching philosophy. Notice how both of these lists create who you are. You have something valuable you can bring to your clients that nobody else can, simply because you are unique to everyone else. Something important about these lists is that you do not have to include everything in your philosophy statement. These lists are purely to inspire you to believe that you are the teacher you want to be. All of the points you have made contribute to your growth as a teacher and what you bring to each student. The list also can help with what you might be able to put on a website, or resume. For now, you are probably looking at these two lists you've just created and wondering how you can put these together into a formal statement.

    A great way to start is by going into detail the reasons you want to teach. First, why you love to teach and why you want to teach. These reasons could be that you had a wonderful art teacher in middle school and you've always dreamed of being the kind of teacher she was to you. What kind of teacher did she embody? Was she a great listener? Did this teacher make every student feel important? These attributes will take up the first half of your statement. Go into detail of of why you teach, and what you value in your students and your time with them.

    The second half should discuss how you plan to structure lessons. Again, not structure of curriculum, but discussing what you will actively do in each lesson to help the student achieve. You can go back to what kind of example your favorite teacher once set for you! How will you be an example of excellence to them? Discuss what the outcome of hard work can look like and how to you plan to get each of your students there. 

    Before I share my own philosophy statement, I thought I would share my thoughts behind what I wrote! When I was in high school, I was not a straight A student. My life was in the band room. This was the only place I went to feel heard, and a part of something special. My other safe space was my weekly clarinet lessons. My private teacher not only was an influential music teacher, but a great listener, and always had my best interest in mind. I remember even showing up to my lessons and bursting into tears when I had no one else to talk to. My music teachers were also the first to uplift me and encourage me into the direction of my life. This is the kind of teacher I strive to be. Yes, I will teach them music 90% of the time. But that 10% is just as important to teach and every student of mine. So, here is my teaching philosophy statement! 

    "I believe that each and every student of mine is unique. Each student that steps into my studio, or in the recent case, logs into zoom meetings, has a different path, therefore learns differently and has their own unique needs. My goal is to meet their need from me, first as humans, and second as musicians. Yes, I teach music, but I also teach my students how they best learn so they can apply what they have learned about themselves to their future endeavors. I know that not all of my students will continue with music into their careers, but what I can offer to them is a valuable life skill of becoming confident in their abilities to learn and how to work hard in their craft. To put it in a few words, I want my students to learn more about themselves more than anything. To achieve this, I have set some guidelines in place. I strive to create an environment of safe learning. This includes open conversations of what their struggles might be, and being able to recognize their strengths through this. My role as a teacher is to open their mind to their strengths, and use them to their advantage as they battle their weaknesses. I also strive to engage with my students by playing music together. Hearing their teacher play creates an example of what hard work and practice looks like as an outcome. Lastly, I want to inspire the student in what their true passions are. If it is not music, set the foundation of what it takes to achieve their own goals and dreams."

    Notice that in my philosophy statement, I don't discuss how I will teach them music theory, or get them to clap a rhythm correctly. This is because these are all up to the student, and how they learn best. I am simply a guide! Of course, I do have ways to teach students new rhythms and how to read music, but it turns out to be different for each and every one of my students. We are discussing our philosophy, not our curriculum. Remember that these two are very different. 

    Remember that this is unique to you as an individual. What is most important to remember while thinking about your teaching philosophy is that you are not made to be the perfect teacher for every student. Your teaching style may be better for others, while it might not work as well for some. That is perfectly okay! The beauty of this is that you have purpose in being the best teacher you can be for the students that truly need you and feel understood from you.

    I hope this has helped you in your goals and endeavors as a teacher, and I would love to help you create your own teaching philosophy! Leave a comment, email me, or message me on Instagram. 

    Happy teaching!