Include a philosophy of education statement in a teaching portfolio to communicate your unique qualities and personality. A statement of teaching is approximately a 600-word narrative and is used to communicate your values and beliefs of teaching.
The educational statement may discuss how you think learning occurs, your teaching style, what impact you hope to have, along with any other details to show your passion and authenticity.
Teachers seeking jobs in today’s market need to use every job search tool at their disposal – the teaching job market is very tough in some geographical areas. Use every advantage you can during your job hunt.
One of the most valuable job search tools a teaching candidate can possess is a strong, visually appealing teaching portfolio. A teacher’s portfolio can contain a variety of different pieces of evidence that work to demonstrate their ability as a teacher. Your teaching portfolio should allow prospective school districts to envision how effective you will be as a new teacher in their school.
Writing a philosophy of teaching statement or philosophy of education statement and including it in your teaching portfolio will increase your chances of securing an interview. It is an added job search marketing document.
Most education training programs require their licensure candidates to compose a philosophy of teaching. This paper should contain several paragraphs that communicate your passion, thoughts, and beliefs of education and outline the principles you consider important in educating students.
What teachers include in their statement will vary for each teaching candidate. It is useful to have a copy of this philosophy in your teaching portfolio so interviewers can read it and gain insight into your approach to the teaching profession.
Items to Include in A Teaching Portfolio
Resume Targeted for a Teacher Position
Be sure to include an up-to-date resume in your teaching portfolio. While your interviewer may already have a copy, they may want to glance at it during the interview or check to see if you brought it to the meeting. It is a sign of preparation to have a copy you can easily provide.
Licensure / Certification
Place your most current licensure or certification in your teaching portfolio. By doing this, you will have the paperwork to show your credential on hand should the interviewer want a copy. It allows the prospective employer to review the specifics if needed. They can then determine if you would be qualified for the position. Organized your portfolio to confirm your professionalism as a teacher.
Test Scores
Include all test scores, regardless of the quality, in your portfolio. If you do not include individual test scores, it may appear you have something to hide. Even if your test results were not significant, as long as you passed, you should include that documentation.
Letters of Recommendation
It is advisable to solicit recommendation letters from college instructors, past supervisors, and other educators or administrators you have worked within the past. Quite frequently, schools will want to see recommendations or a list of references to contact. Save yourself time and have the letters in advance.
Student Teacher Performance Evaluations
If available, include samples of past evaluations received either during student teaching or in other teaching jobs. Obviously, if you had negative evaluations, don’t include them. There is no way for your prospective employer to know how many times you have been evaluated. Just makes sure you include a collection of them.
Sample Lessons Plans
One of the essential elements in any quality teaching portfolio is an assortment of relevant sample interesting and interactive lessons. Including high-quality, standards-based lessons in your collection will impress interviewers and allow them to see that you will be an organized and passionate educator.
While it is important to have a quality teaching portfolio assembled, some interviewers will not pursue its contents. Don’t impose the collection on those who do not wish to view the contents. Please keep it for those school administrators that are interested in your collection.
Wrapping it Up!
A quality teaching portfolio can be beneficial in assisting you in obtaining the teaching job of your dreams. Take time to assemble a professionally, content-rich binder of your work artifacts. Have the portfolio ready when a teaching opportunity knocks.
Do you have any suggestions for organizing a teaching portfolio? Please comment and share your experiences.
