Include a statement of philosophy of education in a teaching portfolio to communicate your unique qualities and personality. A statement of teaching is approximately a 600-word narrative that communicates your values and beliefs about teaching.
Take some time to reflect on your values, beliefs about education, and experiences as an educator. Consider questions such as:
- What do I believe is the purpose of education?
- What are my core values as an educator?
- What motivates me to teach?
- What do I hope to achieve through my teaching?
- What are my beliefs about how students learn best?
The educational statement may discuss how you think learning occurs, your teaching style, what impact you hope to have, and any other details that 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.
A strong, visually appealing teaching portfolio is one of the most valuable job search tools a teaching candidate can possess. 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 communicating your passion, thoughts, and beliefs about education and outlining the essential principles of educating students.
What teachers include in their statements will vary for each teaching candidate. Having a copy of this philosophy in your teaching portfolio is useful so interviewers can read it and gain insight into your approach to the teaching profession.
Resume Targeted for a Teacher Position
Your portfolio should include an up-to-date, tailored resume. Even if the interviewer already has a copy, bringing an extra shows preparation and allows them to easily reference your experience during the meeting. This resume should highlight relevant teaching experience, specialized skills, certifications, and achievements that align with the position you’re seeking.
Example: Highlight specific roles, like “Grade 1 Teacher with experience in differentiated instruction and positive behavior reinforcement,” to demonstrate your expertise and relevance to the role.
Licensure and Certification Documents
Include copies of your current licensure or certifications to validate your teaching credentials. Having this paperwork readily available ensures that the prospective employer can confirm your qualifications without delays. Organize your certifications chronologically or by subject area to make it easy for administrators to verify that you meet the necessary state or district requirements.
Example: Include licenses for grade-specific teaching or endorsements in specialized areas, like ESL (English as a Second Language) or Special Education, to underscore your professional qualifications.
Test Scores and Relevant Assessments
Test scores, such as Praxis or other teaching certification exams, may be required by some districts. Include these scores even if they are average, as omitting them could raise questions. Having this documentation at hand can provide additional proof of your subject knowledge and teaching competency.
Example: If you scored high in content area exams, such as math or reading specialization, highlight those scores as part of your core competencies in education.
Letters of Recommendation
Secure strong recommendation letters from past supervisors, college instructors, or other educators who can attest to your abilities and contributions in the classroom. These letters add credibility and support your application with personal insights into your teaching style and professionalism. Store copies of these letters in your portfolio to quickly provide them if requested.
Example: Ask a former principal to write about your successful implementation of a new reading program or highlight feedback from a mentor teacher during your student teaching.
Student Teacher Performance Evaluations
Incorporate positive performance evaluations from past teaching experiences, especially if you’re a new teacher with limited professional experience. These evaluations give concrete evidence of your skills, reliability, and growth as an educator. Avoid including any evaluations with negative remarks and aim to include a variety that reflects different aspects of your teaching.
Example: Include an evaluation that specifically praises your classroom management or instructional delivery, aligning with the strengths you noted in your resume.
Sample Lesson Plans and Teaching Materials
An assortment of your best lesson plans, particularly those that emphasize interactive, standards-based learning, is essential for your portfolio. Choose lessons that align with current standards and reflect your expertise in creating engaging and effective lessons. Organize these by subject or grade level to showcase your adaptability to different learning environments.
Example: Include a hands-on science lesson plan or a literacy unit that incorporates differentiated instruction, illustrating your ability to meet the needs of diverse learners.
Classroom Management and Assessment Strategies
Highlight your approach to classroom management and assessment through sample behavior management plans, rubrics, or assessment tools you have developed. These materials illustrate your commitment to fostering a productive learning environment and your capability to assess and improve student performance.
Example: Show a sample rubric for evaluating reading comprehension that you use to gauge student progress, reflecting your focus on measurable learning outcomes.
Student Work Samples
Include anonymized samples of student work that demonstrate the outcomes of your teaching. This can be an effective way to illustrate the success of your lesson plans, your ability to differentiate instruction, and the impact you have on student learning. Be sure to include a range of work that highlights different skill levels to show your capability in working with diverse learners.
Example: Provide examples of student work from a writing unit, showing progress from drafts to final submissions, or display a project that resulted from a collaborative learning activity.
Professional Development and Continuing Education Certificates
Documenting your commitment to ongoing learning shows that you stay current with best practices in education. Include certificates from recent workshops, seminars, or courses that are relevant to your teaching. These certificates reinforce your dedication to professional growth and adapting to evolving educational standards.
Example: If you attended a workshop on trauma-informed teaching, include the certificate to highlight your awareness of student well-being.
Teaching Philosophy Statement
An effective teaching portfolio includes a concise statement of your teaching philosophy. This brief document should reflect your values and beliefs about education, your approach to student engagement, and your commitment to fostering a positive learning environment. A thoughtful teaching philosophy provides a glimpse into what drives you as an educator and what you bring to a potential school community.
Example: Describe your philosophy on differentiated instruction and its importance in reaching all students, or share your thoughts on creating an inclusive classroom environment.
Wrapping It Up: Assembling Your Portfolio
A well-assembled teaching portfolio is an essential asset that highlights your skills, qualifications, and dedication to education. Take the time to organize your materials in a visually appealing binder or digital format, clearly labeling each section for easy access. Having this resource ready demonstrates your professionalism and preparedness when a teaching opportunity arises.
Do you have other suggestions for organizing a teaching portfolio? Comment below and share what items have been most helpful in your experience!
