Philosophy of Teaching Statement
My teaching philosophy is based on the fundamental belief that language is power. Communication is quintessential to human existence; it allows us to share ideas, generate knowledge, develop relationships, construct meaning from our experiences, and understand the world around us. As an instructor of rhetoric, composition, and technical communication, my goal is to impart on students the importance of rhetoric in our everyday lives, and, ultimately, provide them the knowledge and skills needed to communicate effectively.
Inspired by a variety of composition pedagogies, particularly the feminist focus on embracing power, respecting difference, and considering context, I attempt to foster open-mindedness as a way of educating students on the importance of maintaining a universal respect for others' existing difference in experience and knowledge.Further influenced by genre-based pedagogies, which position genres as context-based rhetorical actions rather than conventional forms, I hope to illustrate the way genres make rhetoric visible through powerful statements about what and/or who matters, thus helping students perceive, understand, and even change situational circumstances. As an instructor with these overarching goals in mind, I strive to embrace the following objectives:
The value of patience, approachability, and flexibility in creating a trusting relationship between my students and myself has proven essential during my experience. I encourage students to ask questions and challenge them to think critically about the world around them. In the classroom, I promote dynamic and lively discussion in which everyone can feel comfortable speaking up and sharing. I hope to embolden students to develop a more complex understanding of experience, recognizing the role of narrative and context in producing it, as well as emphasize the connection between knowledge, language, and power by addressing the flexibility of language to construct alternative realities. By projecting enthusiasm for my students' work as well as true passion for the subject I am teaching, I demonstrate my dedication to my students as individuals, which often inspires in them a mutual respect and interest in the material.
I believe my students all benefit from a relational model of success and that every student is an important part of our class community. Each student represents an individual set of beliefs, experiences, and values, which creates a rich atmosphere of diversity allowing us to learn from one another. Students are confirmed in their identities and experiences and are encouraged to share personal understandings to build a multifarious base of knowledge in the classroom.I hope to embrace these differences as well as highlight similarities by drawing on popular culture, current events, and modern trends in the classroom to illustrate the relevance of rhetoric and engage students' interests. Through a classroom environment that facilitates participatory learning, validates subjective experience, develops critical thinking and problem solving skills, promotes confidence and creativity, and emphasizes the importance of rhetoric, students are empowered with the transferable communication skills required to enact their goals.
Inspired by a variety of composition pedagogies, particularly the feminist focus on embracing power, respecting difference, and considering context, I attempt to foster open-mindedness as a way of educating students on the importance of maintaining a universal respect for others' existing difference in experience and knowledge.Further influenced by genre-based pedagogies, which position genres as context-based rhetorical actions rather than conventional forms, I hope to illustrate the way genres make rhetoric visible through powerful statements about what and/or who matters, thus helping students perceive, understand, and even change situational circumstances. As an instructor with these overarching goals in mind, I strive to embrace the following objectives:
- Promote confidence, critical thinking, and creativity
- Empower students and illustrate the relevance of rhetoric in their lives
- Teach students to embrace an open-minded worldview and respect for difference
The value of patience, approachability, and flexibility in creating a trusting relationship between my students and myself has proven essential during my experience. I encourage students to ask questions and challenge them to think critically about the world around them. In the classroom, I promote dynamic and lively discussion in which everyone can feel comfortable speaking up and sharing. I hope to embolden students to develop a more complex understanding of experience, recognizing the role of narrative and context in producing it, as well as emphasize the connection between knowledge, language, and power by addressing the flexibility of language to construct alternative realities. By projecting enthusiasm for my students' work as well as true passion for the subject I am teaching, I demonstrate my dedication to my students as individuals, which often inspires in them a mutual respect and interest in the material.
I believe my students all benefit from a relational model of success and that every student is an important part of our class community. Each student represents an individual set of beliefs, experiences, and values, which creates a rich atmosphere of diversity allowing us to learn from one another. Students are confirmed in their identities and experiences and are encouraged to share personal understandings to build a multifarious base of knowledge in the classroom.I hope to embrace these differences as well as highlight similarities by drawing on popular culture, current events, and modern trends in the classroom to illustrate the relevance of rhetoric and engage students' interests. Through a classroom environment that facilitates participatory learning, validates subjective experience, develops critical thinking and problem solving skills, promotes confidence and creativity, and emphasizes the importance of rhetoric, students are empowered with the transferable communication skills required to enact their goals.