Creating a Teaching Portfolio
In creating teaching portfolios, the aim should always make an
effective portfolio. Here are steps to do that, and the characteristics
that can serve as your criteria in evaluating one.
Teaching portfolios are:
- Simple. No information and photo overload.
- Manageable. Use three-ring binders or do it electronically.
- Current. Update at least twice a year.
- Numerous. Make and keep copies, and have backup files.
- Neat. It should be clear and legible, easy-to-read, structured and organized.
- Reader-friendly. Data must be easy to find and text must be free of highfalutin words and jargon.
- Easily comprehensible. Readers should understand what they are reading.
- Representative. Aside from being organized, it must be comprehensive, covering a body of your work, across courses and time.
- Selective. Be concise and selective when choosing things to include in the portfolio.
Here is how to get started on your teaching portfolio:
Step 1. Get Started. Clarify who your reader will
be and the main idea about yourself that you want to communicate to the
reader. Reflect why you teach, what you hope to accomplish, how you
view teaching, and how effective you are as a teacher. Process all
these information and be ready to interpret it as your written
portfolio.
Step 2. Reflect. Come up with your teaching
philosophy and organize this wealth of information to better magnify
that in your life. How do your goals coincide with the mission of the
school you teach in? Do your teaching methodologies employ current
methods in teaching? Having answered these, summarize your evaluation
forms and letters (unsolicited or solicited) from students and peers.
Add student achievements that can be traced to your influence. Did you
experiment and explore the different learning styles of your students?
Step 3. Develop an emerging portfolio. Collect
evidence from various independent sources, things that can tell the
reader more about you and your teaching. Videotape a class; take
pictures of innovative teaching methods. Start gathering various
certifications, licenses, transcripts, score reports, pictures, awards,
certificates, recommendations, evaluation forms, letters and
testimonials.
Step 4. Put them together, and keep on putting them together.
Start as early as possible when it comes to gathering. Develop a good
filing system so you can easily and regularly sort through information.
Involve others as consultants or contributors.
Step 5. Prepare to share it. When the time comes to
show the portfolio, trim down the information. Keep in mind your
teaching philosophy, and select the information relevant to this.
Prepare statements for each item, and arrange them according to
importance.
Gathering a lot of data and certifications on your teaching career
might seem daunting, but portfolios serve their purpose in the long
run. It always helps to get the idea started when you’re still at the
beginning of your career. After that, the only way to go is up!
Sources:
“Selling yourself.” Retrieved April 29, 2009 from
http://www.teachnet.com/how-to/employment/portfolios/port004.html
“Stages of Developing a Teaching Portfolio.” Retrieved April 29, 2009 from
http://sunconference.utep.edu/CETaL/resources/portfolios/stages.htm#overview
Williams, PJ. “How to Create a Teacher Portfolio.” Retrieved April 29, 2009 from
http://www.ehow.com/how_4705328_create-teacher-portfolio.html
(Published 11 May 2009, Smart Communications, Inc.)
