Teaching Philosophy Economics teaching in universities and colleges helps students develop their understanding of the national and global economy and advance their general social knowledge. When effective, teaching also helps students improve their future choices and opportunities in their personal life, along with their activities as citizens pursuing broader social objectives. A key aspect of university and college teaching has to do with preparing students for the application of general scientific methodology in their future careers. The task involves helping students understand how certain theoretical propositions have developed and evolved against a certain background and context of empirical and historical facts, and how the theoretical propositions (once developed) can be applied to other empirical and historical facts to enhance our understanding of history and the empirical world, providing guidance for our actions that can in turn impact the direction of the future. In this process, the assumptions or beliefs that underlie different theoretical perspectives need to be made transparent and subjected to critical analysis, enhancing the ability of students to think critically. In economics, there are a variety of competing theoretical approaches. An effective teacher should attempt help students understand and analyze these alternative approaches, elucidating their underlying hypotheses, internal logic, as well as empirical and historical relevance. The hope is that exposing the strengths and weaknesses of different perspectives will help students to be open-minded and learn to develop independent and creative thinking. Economics is sometimes known as the dismal science. It relies upon abstract theoretical models that often appear far detached from reality to outsiders. An effective teacher should not let abstract models get in the way of learning by intimidating students. This however does not mean that teaching standards and quality should be lowered. Instead, a good teacher should make a serious effort to have students understand the real world context of a theory. It is often the case that the deeper one understands a theoretical perspective, the easier it is to express it in plain English. Last but by no means the least, to be an effective and successful teacher, one must develop strong commitment and passion towards students as well as teaching as a vocation.