Statement of Teaching Philosophy My envision of an excellent teacher is not one who is just educated within their respective field with a plethora of published scholarly works, but of a teacher who genuinely cares about their students and is determined to both motivate and encourage students to embrace the learning process. The teachers that I have had that stand out the most share the characteristics that I believe embody an exceptional teacher: they created a positive communication climate which encouraged students to participate, they presented the material in exciting ways to stimulate the minds and cause students to want to take action, and they emphasized their availability to students who were in need of more detailed help of complex concepts. Before every class I ask myself, “If I was 18 and a first time college student, would I be intrigued with this lecture and anxious for the next class?” If I cannot answer that question with a definite yes, then it is back to the drawing board where I must develop an interesting method to discuss Communications amongst my students. As a first time teacher, I am an amateur amongst many great and inspirational teachers who have motivated me to excel in academics. I am still learning how to be a great teacher, but I use my values and beliefs to set goals for the students. The goals I have set for my for this semester are: creating a welcoming environment that is conducive to learning through discussion, encompassing a democratic classroom approach, and ensuring that each of my students become confident public speakers. I will now define each of my goals in the order that they were introduced. First, I believe that creating a welcoming environment that is conducive to learning through discuss is the goal that I am mostly responsible for. As a teacher, it is important that I am approachable to my students because I want them to feel comfortable asking me questions and meeting with me during my office hours. I also build each chapter around an activity that enhances key concepts and requires classroom participation. I feel that my role within classroom activities is to call on students by name, offer positive feedback, and constructive criticism. My response to students generates their willingness to participate within class with ease. Second, I believe in encompassing a democratic classroom approach. I want my students to have a voice and be heard within my class. I am open to differing opinions that my students may have about quiz formats that are favorable, activities that were constructive, and a choice of how class is conducted. I know that I am the instructor and that ultimately the final classroom decisions are my choice, but I am open to hearing my students’ ideas. I want each of my students to perform well within my class and forums that allow them to offer their feedback to me, helps me prepare future lesson plans that enhance the classroom component for Communication 114. Last, my main focus is to ensure that each of my students become confident public speakers. Public speaking is the most important objective within the course and is rooted within every perspective job field. By creating a positive classroom climate that encourages a democratic style, I am preparing my students for the public speaking component of the course by warranted that during the first eight weeks every student has spoken, every student has worked together, every student knows the other students’ names, and every student has become comfortable speaking in front of the class. The semester has not yet ended, so I do not know if I will accomplish all of my goals, however; I do believe that my goals are realistic and idealistic for the success of my students. As a teacher I want my students to get more out of my class than just the basic curriculum; I want my students experience a college class where their teacher knows them not just as a registered student within my class, but as a student that I know by name and that listens to their ideas and opinions wholeheartedly without pretention. I make sure that I have a specific detailed agenda prepared before every class to both fulfill their minds and enrich the learning capabilities of my students. Knowing that my students have gained knowledge from class is the supreme goal for me as a teacher.