Teaching philosophy Statement

Education is a powerful tool that can transform the minds of individuals and groups, inspiring them towards lifelong learning as well as personal and professional success. Effective teachers go beyond the task of simply disseminating information to their students. Effective teachers prepare their students to think critically and to develop a greater skill set that prepares them for potential tasks and challenges that may lie ahead. 

To achieve this effectiveness, teachers must create an organized path of learning as well as inspire students towards intrinsic levels of engagement. To accomplish this, I encourage students to bring in examples and information from outside of class and from different fields that relate to subjects we are focusing on. In addition, I use various modes of teaching in order to engage those with both visual and auditory as well as kinesthetic learning styles.

I believe the classroom should be a place of inclusivity and diversity of thought. To achieve this end, I create an environment of mutual respect and trust in my classroom where students feel encouraged to participate and express their thoughts. I place an emphasis on personal interaction and open dialogue with my students, ensuring that I am an approachable and effective mentor while at the same time setting appropriate limits.

In addition to inclusivity and engagement, it is important to structure courses in a manner that fosters critical thinking. I accomplish this by incorporating class discussion and reflections into our daily course routine. Assignments in my course like papers and presentations feature an analytical component where students should feel confident to share their own observations as well as ask questions of their peers to gather even more insight into the material.

Teaching the study of International Relations gives me the unique opportunity to teach and inspire the next generation of leaders and policymakers. I teach my students a comprehensive amalgamation of important theories and methods in the field of International Relations, allowing them to analyze and critique the theories as we progress through the course. After completing my course, students are able to think critically as well as communicate clear, logical arguments about subjects in the field.

Students in my courses develop the skills needed to compare theories and evidence, develop clear and logical arguments, and refute alternative explanations. I design my courses to ensure that students are competent in the subjects covered in class and can analyze complex issues within the field. Students should also be able to express their arguments logically and thoughtfully in both written and oral communication. To measure these abilities in my students, I conduct a mid-term examination, presentations, and a final-term paper where students must demonstrate their critical thinking, analysis, and communication skills in respect to the subjects covered by the course.

In my teaching, I am dedicated to creating a classroom community characterized by by inclusivity, engagement, and critical thinking. I keep this goal in mind when designing each course, ensuring that my mode of teaching is effective and encourages diversity of thought. I bring a deep passion to my work to inspire students to be lifelong learners and impart the wisdom and skills needed to grapple with complex issues as well as succeed in their personal and professional endeavors. Teachers are not simply tasked with imparting knowledge. Teaching also includes mentoring and shaping students, as well as keeping them interested in the course material. Through a thoughtful and inclusive course design, I believe I am able to achieve these goals in my courses.