How to Write a Teaching Statement for Faculty Jobs (Template Included)

The teaching statement is often the weakest part of a faculty application. Many candidates write vague, generic paragraphs that say nothing specific. In this article, I will show you exactly how to write a teaching statement that gets you an interview. I also include a fill-in-the-blanks template at the end.

What Is a Teaching Statement?

A teaching statement (also called a teaching philosophy) is a 1 to 2 page document where you explain your beliefs about teaching and learning. You also provide evidence that you are an effective teacher. Search committees use it to see if you fit their department’s teaching needs.

A good teaching statement answers three questions: What do you believe about teaching? How do you put those beliefs into action? How do you know you are effective?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Before we write, let us fix common errors.

Mistake #1: Being too abstract. “I believe in student-centered learning” is a claim. It is not evidence. Give examples.

Mistake #2: No mention of specific courses or activities. Mention “In my Introduction to Psychology course, I use weekly low-stakes quizzes and think-pair-share activities.”

Mistake #3: No data. Include your teaching evaluation scores if they are good. “My average rating is 4.6/5, above the departmental average of 4.2.”

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Your Teaching Statement

Step 1: Open with a Hook

Start with a specific moment that shaped your teaching. For example: “When I taught my first discussion section as a graduate student, a student told me I talked too fast and never called on women. That feedback made me completely redesign how I run classrooms.” This is memorable.

Step 2: State Your Teaching Philosophy in 2-3 Sentences

Be clear but not cliché. Instead of “I believe in active learning,” write: “I believe learning happens when students do something with new information—solve a problem, critique an argument, or teach a peer.”

Step 3: Provide Concrete Examples from Your Courses

List 2 to 3 specific teaching strategies you use. For each, explain why it works. Example: “In my Educational Psychology course, students complete a ‘student case study’ where they observe a real learner for 10 hours and apply course theories. This project connects abstract concepts to real life, and students report it as their most valuable assignment.”

Step 4: Show Evidence of Effectiveness

Use numbers, quotes, or peer observations. “On a scale of 1-5, students rated ‘the instructor explained concepts clearly’ as 4.7 on average.” Or “A senior colleague observed my class and wrote, ‘The discussion was lively and every student participated.'”

Step 5: Address Diversity and Inclusion

Most universities require this. Show how you create an inclusive classroom. Example: “I use a ‘name coach’ tool to pronounce student names correctly. My syllabus includes a land acknowledgment and a statement on mental health resources. I also diversify my reading list to include scholars from underrepresented groups.”

Step 6: Future Teaching Goals

Show you want to improve. “In the next two years, I plan to get certified in online teaching through Quality Matters and develop a new service-learning course where students tutor local English learners.” For online teaching tips, see Online Teaching Jobs for PhD Holders.

Teaching Statement Template (Fill in the Blanks)

Copy this into a document and replace the bracketed text.

Opening hook: [One specific story about a teaching moment].

Philosophy: My teaching philosophy is simple: [one sentence]. I believe [second sentence].

Example 1: In [course name], I use [specific strategy]. For instance, [describe an assignment or activity]. This works because [why].

Example 2: In [course name], I do [different strategy]. Students [positive outcome].

Evidence: My teaching evaluations average [score] out of [scale], compared to department average of [score]. A peer observer noted, “[quote].”

Inclusion: To create an inclusive classroom, I [specific action 1], [action 2], and [action 3].

Future: I am currently learning [skill] and plan to [new course or project].

Sample Teaching Statement (Education Professor)

Here is a short sample for an education professor applying to a teaching-focused university.

“When I was a first-year teacher in a Bronx middle school, I realized my lectures were not working. My students were bored. So I stopped talking so much and started asking questions. That experience taught me that good teaching is 20% content and 80% listening. In my course ‘Foundations of Education,’ I use a ‘problem-posing’ method inspired by Paulo Freire. Each week, students bring a real problem from their fieldwork. We spend 30 minutes brainstorming solutions together, not me lecturing. In evaluations, 92% of students agree that ‘this course helped me think critically about my own teaching.’ To be inclusive, I use anonymous mid-semester feedback to adjust the pace and content. Next year, I plan to add a community-based project where students interview local teachers about equity challenges.”

Tailoring Your Teaching Statement to Each Job

You can use the same base document, but change one paragraph for each university. Read the job ad carefully. If they emphasize “diversity,” add more inclusion examples. If they emphasize “online teaching,” mention your experience with Canvas or Zoom. If they emphasize “large lectures,” talk about your strategies for engaging 200 students. Never send a generic teaching statement.

Final Checklist

Before you submit, check these boxes:

– Teaching statement is 1 to 2 pages, single-spaced.

– No spelling or grammar errors.

– At least 2 specific course examples.

– Teaching evaluation data (if good) or peer observation (if no data).

– Mention of diversity/inclusion.

– Future goals.

– Tailored to the specific university.

For more application advice, read Complete Assistant Professor Guide.