 Organization: A
3-ring binder with a clear cover pocket permits you to display something on the front and/or side binding. Rather than
punch holes in the pages, use sheet protectors to hold your documents. Your portfolio should be organized to allow you
to find what you need quickly and allow prospective or current employers to thumb through a logical presentation. All
artifacts, whether lesson plans, student work samples, or a parent newsletter, should be dated and annotated. Sections
should be labeled and tabbed. There is no “correct” page length for a portfolio. It should be long
enough to accurately reflect your professional accomplishments and demonstrate your potential. However, it should be
a concise, systematic collection that is convenient to carry and peruse.
Process:
Building a portfolio is something best done by collecting evidence of your accomplishments
over a period of time. If you haven’t already accumulated materials for your portfolio, start now. Select
artifacts that demonstrate your strongest assets and best endeavors, reflecting your qualifications and experience.
Make an outline or schematic that organizes the materials you have gathered. Use this to arrange your evidence into
a logical presentation (by theme areas, educational standards, order of importance, chronology, etc.). Your compilation
should represent your teaching ability, and allow you and others to easily locate specific information. Since your portfolio
will continually change as you grow professionally, you need to periodically cull old materials and add new evidence of your
accomplishments. Add awards, certificates and other honors as earned.
Suggested Contents:
*Cover Page/Title page
*Table of Contents *Brief
Autobiography and Reasons for Becoming a Teacher *Resume *Statement of
Educational Philosophy and Professional Goals *Classroom Management Theory and Strategy *Instructional
Units, Teacher Work Samples, Examples of Lessons with Reflective Commentary *Case Study *Sample
IEP and/or Behavior Support Plan (without student/parent names) *Classroom Assessment Procedures
and Samples *Observations & Evaluations from Early Field Experiences and Student Teaching *Lesson
Plans that Show Creativity and Organization *Self-Designed Instructional Materials (Photos and
Drawings of Games, Bulletin Boards & Classroom Displays, Learning Centers, Manipulatives, etc.) *Field
Experience and Related Out-of-Classroom Experiences *Photos to Illustrate your Lessons and Classroom Experiences *Samples
of Student Work and Classroom Projects *Evidence of Continuing Professional Development –
Career Plan, Professional Organizations & Committees, Workshops, Additional Coursework, Professional Reading and Independent
Study *Technology in the Classroom (List Equipment); Personal Website *Awards,
Commendations (Congratulatory Letters/Notes) and Special Recognition *References *Letters
of Recommendation *Transcripts & Certification *Evidence of Parent/School/Community
Involvement – Home Visits & Letters Sent to Parents, Participation in School Activities, Knowledge of Community
Agencies and Links to Students/School *Optional – Short video of you teaching a lesson and
directly working with students
Presentation:
Some
teachers simply tab each entry in their portfolios, while other prefer to group similar items. In addition
to a “Table of Contents,” you may wish to also include an “Appendix” at the end of your portfolio
to facilitate locating specific documents and pictures. Whatever structure you use, it’s a good idea
to start with a “Cover Page” or “Title Page” that includes your name, degree, and certifications.
You could also put a picture of you working with students or an appropriate graphic on this page.
Possible Ways to Group Items in Your Portfolio:
Again, there is no “right” or “wrong”
way to do this. You must take a careful look at the items you have to put into your portfolio before deciding
on the method of grouping these items. One possibility might be:
-
Cover
Page/Title Page
- Table of Contents
- Education and Core Values (Résumé, Credentials, Transcripts,
Praxis Scores, Clearances, Teaching Philosophy, Classroom Management Statement, Professional Development Goals, etc.)
- Classroom Artifacts (Lesson Plans, Instructional Units, Samples of
Student Work, Assessments, Pictures of You Working with Students, Pictures of Bulletin Boards & Instructional Games That
You Have Made, Technology, etc.)
- Classroom Extension Artifacts (Parent Communication,
Classroom Newsletters, Work with Other Teachers, Home Visits, Work with Community Agencies, etc.)
- Field Knowledge (Special Education Due Process Timeline, IEPs, Transition
Plans, Behavior Support Plan, Functional Behavioral Assessment, RTI Strategies, Specific Accommodations & Adaptations,
etc.)
- Professional Development (Professional Reading
& Research, Classes, Seminars, Workshops, In-service programs, Professional Memberships, etc.)
- Professional Recognition (Awards & Certificates, Observations, Evaluations,
Letters of Recommendation, Congratulatory Notes, References, etc.)
-
Digital
Portfolio/Website
- Appendix
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