help with teacher application

Submitted by an LD OnLine user on

I’m starting to panic- found out about 2 job openings in the city I’m moving to this summer and the application is due Friday. They want, “in your own handwriting” a statement of “your personal philosphy”. Not educational philosophy, a question I have seen before. They allow about 1/3 of the page so I guess if I write big…. (an old middle school trick!) Anyway, thought I’d ask advice here since I respect the opinions of many who are frequent posters here. HELP! How would you approach this question?

Submitted by Sue on Thu, 05/20/2004 - 2:19 AM

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Do they *say* “not your teaching philosophy” ?

If it’s ambiguous, I would narrow it down to my teaching philosophy; if not, I’d stick to my philosophy for dealing with other people on the planet (perhaps something to the tune of First: Try To Do No Harm…) and perhaps, when in danger, when in doub, run in circles scream and shout ;) :)

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 05/20/2004 - 2:29 AM

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I knew I could count on you :) I think I am ready to run in circles, scream and shout. I’ve been surfing for personal statements of teaching philosophy and found much information. Of course I had to write my own personal statement of counseling for my Master’s but can’t locate it anywhere. Maybe I should be working on a personal theory of organization :?

Submitted by Sue on Thu, 05/20/2004 - 2:51 AM

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Ah, that! Two axioms:

“If it exists, it must *be* somewhere.”
“If you always carry everything with you, then you have some idea where it is.”
Never classify things in more than three categories — two is better.

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 05/21/2004 - 9:17 PM

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Oh yes, the starfish story— you can’t save them all, but you can save one at a time and it sure will matter to that one!

Submitted by Janis on Sat, 05/22/2004 - 1:12 AM

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You got it! Lingui-Systems has it on the cover of their catalog a few years ago, and they had so many requests for it that they currently have it printed on a poster for about $5. I got one free with an order. I have to remember that story often as I have a small caseload and my district doesn’t much value my input on how the reading program should be revamped! So I have to remember that my work is very important to the few little kids with whom I work.

Janis

Submitted by Sue on Sat, 05/22/2004 - 1:40 AM

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AND I’M STILL SEARCHING

And I’m still searching
Yes, I’m still searching
For a way we all can learn
To build a world
Where we all can share
The work the fun
The food the space
The joy the pain
And no one ever
Ever need or want to seek
To be a millionaire.

Words and Music by Pete Seeger (1997)
(c) 1997

Of course, it might get the HUAC after you….

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