In today’s times, the teaching job market has become extremely competitive. This is why you need that something extra which gives you an edge over other job applicants and creating your teaching portfolio is a great way to get that edge. When all things are equal between two job applicants, a strong and well documented teaching portfolio can help to tip the scales in your favor. In this article, we show you how to organize your teacher portfolio and also how to use it effectively.

Creating a Teaching Portfolio

A teacher portfolio is a collection of different materials that help to document your experiences as a teacher and describe the various aspects of your teaching ability. The various things that go into a teacher portfolio are:

  1. A philosophy of education statement: This statement is a short narrative that should include your conception of what teaching and learning really mean. It should also include a brief description of your teaching methods and reasons for why you teach in that particular manner.
  2. Teaching experience and responsibilities: Document your various experiences as a teacher and include papers that show your growth as an educator. This section should also include a summary of different teaching positions you have held over the years and various responsibilities that you have fulfilled.
  3. Course planning materials: These include all handouts, syllabi, lesson plans, exam sheets, and assignments from any courses that you have taught in the past.
  4. Department evaluations: Document all the departmental evaluations of your teaching abilities. You can also ask for evaluation letters from principals or professors who have employed you to teach and have watched you teach a real classroom. If you have ever received student feedback about your educational abilities, these should be included too.
  5. Teaching awards: All certificates, recognitions, and awards that you have received for your teaching abilities should be included in this section of your teaching portfolio.

In addition to the above, your teacher portfolio should also include your teacher resume and teacher cover letter. It is best to get these written from an expert as these documents can be the difference between you getting hired or not.

As you continue to grow as an educator, you should review your teaching portfolio from time to time and add documents and materials to it that evidence your teaching abilities.

How to Use Your Teacher Portfolio

Your teaching portfolio is used along with your teaching job application. Here are some ways of using it:

  • Add your teacher portfolio as an appendix with your teaching resume. This enables prospective employees to get a glimpse of your growth as an educator.
  • Insert a table of contents (of all the different documents and materials of your teaching portfolio) in your teacher resume. List that these materials will be available on request. This ensures that your teaching portfolio is part of your teacher resume without making it too bulky.
  • Carry your teacher portfolio to your job interview to show it to the interviewers.

Thus, by creating a comprehensive teaching portfolio and using it properly, you can increase your chances of being hired significantly.

 

 

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Success Stories

"AWESOME! I could never have done this without your help. It was well worth the money. I really appreciate how quickly you got it done, knowing I was in a time crunch. I will be going to schools tomorrow to hand out my portfolio to principals. With what you have given me, I fully expect an interview, even in this tough, competitive job market. I'll let you know when I get the job."

M. M.

"Wanted to say "thank you!" again -- I got the position! I can honestly tell you that the resume got me hired right from the start. The Principal was so impressed with both the resume and cover letter because it truly represented everything I believed in personally. Thank you so much and I wish you much success!"

G. A.

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Candace Davies ACCC, CRW, CIC, CPRW, CEIP, CECC
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