PRESENTING SUPERB RESEARCH THAT ADVANCES THE FIELD OF EDUCATION

Writing a Philosophy Statement

Writing a Philosophy Statement Edition 2

An Educator's Workbook

Caroline R. Pryor
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July 2025
9781975508494
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$35.95
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July 2025
9781975508517
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Writing a Philosophy Statement: An Educator’s Workbook, Second Edition provides a step-by-step process for writing a clear and concise philosophy of education statement based on a reader’s beliefs about their approaches to teaching. This unique book provides information about five key philosophical approaches to teaching, using a range of activities for preservice and experienced teachers to examine classroom dilemmas. The workbook explores a variety of philosophical stances, including:

  • Five philosophical approaches to teaching
  • Strategies for identifying your approach to teaching
  • Strategies for applying your approach in a written philosophy of education statement
  • Practical uses for your philosophy statement
Example Professional Development Activities include Case Studies; Check Lists; Sample Philosophy Statements; Tips and Tools for Writing a Philosophy Statement; and Using your Statement in Job Interviews and Graduate School Applications. A key feature of this book is the highly researched two-dimensional Philosophy of Education Scale, helpful in identifying an individual’s most and least likely approaches to teaching. The Scale includes a range of teaching practices that can prompt readers’ deep understanding of the sources that impact their approach decisions. This book offers educational leaders a much-needed pathway for collaborative communication about how teachers can impact school climate, change and attainment.

Writing a Philosophy Statement is an essential tool for undergraduate and graduate students of education who are preparing for a career in teaching and for the academic rigors that they will encounter.

Perfect for courses such as: Introduction to Education; Analysis of Instruction; Curriculum and Instruction; Research on Curriculum and Instruction; School Practice and Change; Philosophy of Education; Leadership and Change; Leadership and Collaboration; Principles of Leadership; Foundations of Education; History of Education; Senior Seminar; Student Teaching; Field Experience; and Methods of Instruction

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

Caroline R. Pryor

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.

Philosophy of Education, Analysis of Instruction, Curriculum Development, Approaches to Teaching, Leadership and Change