Write It Down — Your Pedagogy, In Your Words

You’ve explored your values, reflected on your daily practice, revisited theory, and noticed what feels aligned. You’ve done the internal work — now it’s time to give those thoughts a voice.

Step 6: Write It Down

This final step is not about ticking a compliance box or crafting the perfect response for an assessor. It’s not about fancy words or academic language (unless that speaks to you). It’s about clarity, connection, and courage — creating something authentic that reflects who you are as an educator and what truly matters in your practice.

Writing your pedagogy down gives shape to the intangible. It transforms swirling thoughts, deep values, and instinctive actions into something solid you can see, feel, and return to. It’s a way to honour your journey, and hold space for both where you’ve been and where you’re going.

This written reflection becomes your grounding statement — something to steady you during those inevitable moments of doubt, overwhelm, or change. When the paperwork piles up or a tough conversation knocks your confidence, you can revisit your words and remember your why.

You might be surprised at the power of seeing your beliefs on the page. It helps you:

• Articulate your values with clarity

• Advocate for your decisions with confidence

• Reflect on your growth with compassion

And most importantly — it reminds you that your practice is not random or accidental. It’s intentional, relational, and rich with meaning.

Whether you write a paragraph or a page, whether it’s scribbled in a notebook or turned into a visual vision board, this process is for you. Let it be raw. Let it be real. Let it reflect your voice, your story, your heart.

And remember — it’s not final. This is a living reflection. You’ll revisit it, reshape it, and rewrite it many times over as you evolve. That’s not failure — that’s growth.

As bell hooks beautifully reminds us:

“We cannot begin to talk about freedom without talking about the ways we limit ourselves and each other.”

This final step is about claiming your freedom — to teach with purpose, reflect with honesty, and lead your practice with heart.

Are you ready to write it down?

A Grounding Anchor

Think of your pedagogy statement as a grounding anchor — something you can return to when the days feel messy, when your confidence wobbles, or when external pressures start to drown out your inner voice. It's your touchstone, your quiet reminder of what really matters to you and why you choose to show up each day with care, presence, and purpose.

This isn’t about writing something for others to judge or dissect. It’s about crafting a statement that you can tuck into your diary, post on your wall, or revisit when you need to reconnect with your heart. It’s a compass, pointing you back to your values when things feel uncertain.

Sometimes, putting beliefs into words can feel daunting — especially if you're used to doing rather than describing your work. That’s why these sentence starters can be helpful:

Try beginning with:

• “I believe children learn best when…”(…they feel safe, curious, and deeply seen for who they are.)

• “I see my role as an educator as…”(…a guide, a co-learner, and an advocate for every child’s voice.)

• “My learning environment is inspired by…”(…a belief in slow childhoods, natural materials, and meaningful provocations.)

• “I draw on [theorist or philosophy] because…”(…it reflects my values around relationships, justice, or agency.)

• “I prioritise…”(…connection before correction, wellbeing over outcomes, relationships above routines.)

• “My pedagogy reflects…”(…a commitment to inclusion, equity, and authentic play-based learning.)

There’s no right or wrong way to say it.

This is your story, your reflection, and your truth — not a university essay or a policy statement. There’s no need for fancy language, perfect grammar, or impressive references (unless you want them). What matters is that your pedagogy statement feels like you — honest, heartfelt, and rooted in the way you genuinely show up with children each day.

Your statement doesn’t need to be perfect, polished, or sound like it came from a textbook.In fact, the more raw, real, and unfiltered it is, the more powerful and meaningful it becomes. Let it reflect the messy beauty of the work you do — the laughter, the challenges, the quiet wins, and the deep care you bring to every interaction.

Use the words that come naturally to you. If your voice is nurturing, curious, or bold — let that shine through. If you speak in metaphors, use them. If you prefer short, sharp statements — that’s perfect too.

It could be:

• ✨ Poetic or practical – A flowing narrative that captures the essence of your approach, or clear bullet points that map out what matters to you.

• ✨ A paragraph or a list – A reflective journal entry, or a few lines scrawled on a sticky note that you keep near your desk.

• ✨ Scribbled or styled beautifully – Jotted down in your notebook or transformed into wall art. Typed or hand-lettered. Private or proudly displayed.

What matters is that it feels true.That when you read it back, something inside you says, Yes. That’s me. That’s what I believe.

Your pedagogy statement isn’t a script to perform — it’s a mirror to reflect who you are, and a map to help you stay grounded in what matters most. Let it be real. Let it be yours.

✨ Remember: This isn’t a final destination.

Your pedagogy isn’t something you write once, laminate, and forget. It’s not a box to tick or a perfect sentence to get right. It’s a living expression of your evolving identity as an educator — one that shifts as you grow, learn, and adapt through the seasons of your life and work.

Just like the children in your care, you’re always becoming.As your knowledge deepens, your confidence grows, your wellbeing shifts, and your world expands — your pedagogy will, too. It will bend with new insights, stretch through challenges, and bloom with experiences you haven’t even had yet.

Let your words breathe with you.Don’t be afraid to revisit your statement often — update it, tweak it, scribble new thoughts in the margins. Let it evolve naturally, just like you do. This is a living statement, not a fixed conclusion. Give yourself full permission to grow out of parts that no longer serve you and grow into new ones that surprise you.

This final step isn’t about creating a perfect summary — it’s about honouring your journey.Let it be a celebration of everything you’ve uncovered so far:

• Your values

• Your strengths

• Your challenges

• Your reflections

• Your heart

• Your very human way of being with children

When you read it back, it should feel like home.Like something you could tuck into your diary or pin to your wall. Like a warm reminder of why you show up, even on the hard days. Like a soft place to land when the world feels loud and the work feels heavy.

So take a breath, gather what you’ve discovered, and begin to write.Not to impress. Not to perform. But to remember who you are and why you matter — because you do.

I’m Rachel Smith — educator turned mentor, with over 20 years of experience in the Early Childhood sector. I created The Educators Well to support passionate educators like you in building sustainable, fulfilling careers grounded in values, reflection, and wellbeing.

💬 Want to keep unpacking your pedagogy with support and inspiration?

Join our Facebook community:👉 The Educators Well Facebook Group

It’s a welcoming space for educators to reflect, connect, and grow — together.

🌱 Inside the group, you’ll find:

• Printable reflection pages for this blog series

• Each blog post as it’s published

• A community of like-minded educators

• Ongoing support, prompts, and professional growth tools

Whether you're defining your pedagogy for the first time or revisiting it with fresh eyes, you're not alone.

Come join us — let’s reflect, grow, and thrive together. 💚