Teaching Statement is an integral part of the selection process for teaching jobs. However, most candidates mess up in their teaching statements.
Learn how to write a compelling teaching statement for job applications in this blog featuring key components, mistakes to avoid and more.
Overview of a Teaching Statement
A teaching statement is an essay in which candidates talk about their teaching philosophy. It is generally 1-2 pages long. It also gives the recruiters an idea of your skills and qualifications.
Key Components of a Teaching Statement
Some key components of a teaching statement include:
Teaching Philosophy:Your core beliefs and values about teaching.
Goals for Students: The main goal you have for students, like conceptual clarity or upskilling.
Teaching Methods: The strategies and classrooms that you use to teach like case study discussions and peer learning.
Assessment Techniques: The main techniques that you use to evaluate students' performance or progress.
Examples or Evidence: Evidence to back up your claims and statements.
Tone, Length & Formatting Tips
Tone, length and formatting are all extremely crucial, when it comes to teaching statements. The traditional length is around 1-2 pages, unless there is a specific word count requirement. Brevity is of the essence here, so make sure your sentences are concise.
The ideal tone of a teaching statement is reflective, honest and student centric. Striking a chord between confidence and humility is extremely important.
Recruiters also pay close attention to formatting. Your article should be well structured with crisp paras. Use a first person voice to be able to connect with the readers.
Mistakes to Avoid
When crafting a teaching statement, there are certain mistakes that you should steer clear from:
Too Much Jargon: Your writing should be clear and accessible.
Use Vague Language: Be specific whenever possible.
Rehash Your CV: When talking about your prior experience, emphasise your learnings rather than repeating what you have already mentioned in the CV.
Try to Sound Like An Expert: Trying to sound like an expert can be off putting. Instead show your open mindedness.
Use the Same Teaching Statement Everywhere: Before crafting your teaching statement, do some thorough research about the institution and customise accordingly.