My teaching philosophy includes four tenets that guide my teaching strategies and choices. These tenets incorporate my personal beliefs, my professional obligation to the Social Work Profession and Social Work Ethics, and my education and research on effective and supportive learning and teaching.
Tenet 1. Professional Social Work Behavior: I will demonstrate and model appropriate and professional Social Work behavior in all aspects of my teaching, including
- All forms of communication (verbal, written, technology-assisted, etc).
- Creation and maintenance of professional boundaries.
- Adherence to rules, deadlines, guidelines, best practices, etc.
Tenet 2. Evidence-Based Teaching and Learning: I will focus learning on content that is empirically supported, relevant and timely. I will empower students with the ability to acquire and critically analyze new sources of information, to allow them to become life-long learners. I will utilize teaching methods that are based on current best practices and supported by evidence.
Tenet 3. Safe and Supportive Learning Environment: I will incorporate methods and technologies to create a safe, supportive, engaging, learning environment, in both face-to-face and virtual spaces. I will establish guidelines that promote communication and provide safety and structure for difficult or sensitive discussions. I will provide multiple avenues for students to engage with course content and with each other.
Tenet 4. Diversity: I will embrace and engage diversity of background, experience, and thought through course policies, practices, content and material. I will provide content from a variety of viewpoints, and welcome differences of opinion and perspective in course activities and communications. I will model culturally sensitive communication and interaction.