How to Make a Teacher's Portfolio

Having a professional teaching portfolio is an important career step.

Periodically a teacher will be asked by her administrators to prepare a portfolio reflective of accomplishments, plans, and teaching philosophy. A portfolio is a streamlined portrait of a teacher's year. The information contained in the portfolio can be used to determine raises or promotions, so it's important to make an impressive portfolio.

Things You'll Need

• Binder
• Transcripts
• Evaluations
• Recommendation letters
• Certifications

Instructions

1. Write an introduction for the portfolio. This introduction should be no more than one page. It should succinctly cover the goal of the portfolio. Briefly discuss your teaching philosophy and aspirations. You may focus on two or three specific points, and it is fine to present these in bullet form. Close the introduction with an assertive statement of how your aspirations will better your career and the experiences of your students.

2. Attach with the portfolio after the introduction a copy of your updated resume and copies of your current certifications. The resume should not be on stylized paper. It should be on the same paper throughout the portfolio. Your certifications should be photocopied neatly, centered on the page and presented one certification per page.

3. Retrieve a lesson plan or syllabus that best represents your teaching ideology. Go through it to make sure that there are no typos and that it is relevant to the types of aspirations stated in the introduction. Once you have checked this over, add it to the portfolio.

4. Collect any letters of recommendation or public accolades that you may have received since you submitted your last portfolio.. Do not become excessive with these. You want to show that you are a well respected professional, but be careful not to go overboard. It is perfectly fine to excerpt positive quotes from several letters and present them as one document. Just be sure to properly attribute the quote to the sources. This will include their name and academic affiliation. At the bottom of such a page state that contact information is available upon request. If you have comments from students, be sure to include these but on a separate page clearly marked as student comments.

5. Append to the final segment of the portfolio miscellaneous pages that might include copies of transcripts, examples of students' work, previous peer,student and course evaluations, completed research papers and teaching awards. This section should be noted as an appendix. Create a separate title page for this that specifically notes what you are including.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that you choose a professional looking but plain binder to enclose your portfolio. No artwork on the binder.

References

• Annikeris: Create a Teacher Portfolio
• Teaching Heart: Teacher Portfolios
• Washington State University: Teaching Portfolio