My philosophy of teaching involves active participation of students and instructor in the learning experience. This can be challenging when the students may desire direct and clear cut decisions to theory and clinical opportunities. My goal is to provide the framework that will assist the students in identifying the problem, determining solutions, evaluating the solutions for the situation while basing these steps in the professional guidelines of nursing. I do treat each of my courses as an experience from which I, too, can learn something. My goal is to find ways to teach more effectively with available resources. The challenge is to take content that may appear ambiguous, uncertain, and sometimes contradictory in nature and to find direction of clinical problems. I continue to learn from experience, literature, expertise of faculty, and conferences about the dynamics of teaching and about my discipline so I can improve my effectiveness as an instructor.

 

A major undertaking that has affected my philosophy of teaching and leadership is that I am currently enrolled in a doctoral program in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. The self-reflection that has occurred in the past two years of course work has assisted my in identifying areas of opportunities in my teaching and leadership. I have looked at my personal philosophy of leadership in developing my personal philosophy of leadership (see Appendix). I am continuing to expand my leadership as a formal and informal leader through involvement in department, college and university committees. I have completed my coursework and written comprehensives and am awaiting scheduling of oral comprehensives and development of my dissertation.