Teaching and Diversity Statements

Graduate Writing Center

Teaching Statement: Where to start?

• List a few core values you possess, such as a respect for others, strong work ethic, or sense of humor, etc.
• Briefly describe the ways you display these values in your everyday life.
• List qualities you admire in the teachers you've had.
• Describe the extent to which you possess these qualities and use them in the classroom.
• Consider lesson plans, activities, or exercises that have been especially effective toward learning outcomes.
• Consult syllabi.
• Review previous assignments, lecture notes, and even teaching evaluations.

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Teaching Statement: What is it?

It is a written summary of your beliefs about teaching, teaching objectives, and goals for student learning

• 1-2 pages
• Includes teaching vision, teaching philosophy, illustration of applications
• Connects knowledge strategies to personal examples
• Details a teacher's experience and classroom activities
• Provides an introduction to who you are as a teacher
• Reflect on the type of teacher you want to become and your values and personal views on teaching, write freely about your beliefs on education, and continuously update statements throughout your careers.

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Teaching Statement: The important questions

• How do you think learning occurs?
• What is the role of the teacher, and how do you plan to provide feedback and assessment to students and account for different learning styles and abilities?
• What are your main goals for students?
• What actions can you take to reach these goals, such as how do you plan to develop instructional materials, mentor students and conduct classes?
• What are your plans for professional growth as a teacher?
• Are there teaching goals specific to your discipline? If so, what are they, and how do you strive to achieve them in your classroom?

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Diversity Statement: What is it?

It is a brief statement to demonstrate a commitment to fostering diversity through various elements of your experience, teaching, and service.

• The purpose of this document is to demonstrate your commitments and capacities to contribute to inclusion and equity via your work, including scholarship, teaching, service, mentoring, and advising.
• The document is also an opportunity to highlight your understanding of the barriers faced by underrepresented or marginalized groups, as well as your own experiences meeting the needs of a diverse population of students, staff, and peers.

Diversity Statement: Where to start?

• Focus on commonly accepted understandings of diversity and equity; concentrate on issues such as race, gender, social class and sexual orientation.
• Write about specific things you have done to help students from underrepresented backgrounds succeed.
• Highlight any programs for underrepresented students you’ve participated in.
• Write about your commitment to working toward achieving equity and enhancing diversity; describe specific ways you are willing to contribute.
• Modify your statement based on where you are sending it. Audience.

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Diversity Statement: The important questions

• What are your values regarding diversity, inclusion, and equity in your professional life? Why do you think diversity is valuable in higher education settings? How about in your discipline specifically?
• How have you demonstrated your commitment to fostering the success of underrepresented students, staff, and peers, and supporting a diversity of perspectives in the classroom, lab, campus, or community?
• How do you intend continuing to advance inclusive excellence, diversity, or equity in your research, teaching, and service?
• What kinds of student, staff, or faculty diversity are you thinking of as you answer this question, and are there other ways in which diversity manifests in campus communities that might be valuable to consider?
• What elements of your own identity inform your teaching, research, or scholarship in a tangible way?

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Diversity Statement: Self-Disclosure

‘Your story”: one common tip for a diversity statement is to share your own story of diversity, if you have one, or acknowledge your privilege, if relevant.

There are pros & cons to self-disclosure, so the best advice is to think about it carefully, consider how your audience will receive it, and weigh whether it constructively contributes to your statement.

A couple of the advantages to self-disclosure include relating to the audience and transparency. However, depending on what “your story” is, those may not be effective additions to your statement.

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Sources

Beck, S. L., (2018). Developing and writing a diversity statement. Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching. Retrieved October 1st from https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/developing-and-writing-a-diversity-statement

Golash-Boza, T. (2016). The effective diversity statement. Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved September 28 from https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2016/06/10/how-write-effective-diversity-statement-essay

Tracey, M. D. (2005). Why do you want to teach? gradPSYCH 3(4). Retrieved September 26 from https://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2005/11/teach.aspx

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