What would you include in your teaching portfolio and why?

Question

I need specifics on what types of things you would include in a portfolio.

Answer 1

I have reviewed several portfolios when searching for the best candidtate in hiring a science teacher. The best candidate (which I hired) had these things in her portfolio which caught my eye:

1) Introductory letter stating why she felt teaching was a professional "fit" for her

2) Copy of her transcript and another page listing all her science classes and grades in those classes to help me locate this information easier.

3) An explanation of the skills she learned in each of those science classes.

4) Information page explaining evrything she had been involved with during her college career.

5) Letters of recommendation from professors, and the school where she student-taught.

6) Sample lessons she used when she student taught, as well as papers the students had completed in those classes.

7) Pictures of her involved with the students doing several activities.

8) Her favorite lesson and an explanation why it was her favorite. Lots of pictures to illustrate.

9) Her least favorite lesson, why she didn't like it, and what she could do to change the lesson to make it better.

She did not have a work history page because she had just graduated and had not taught.

Her portfolio stood out because of the details she included, and the variety of student work pages she had to show. It allowed me to see what her lessons were like on the plannning side and the action side.

We hired her and she has been the best prepared new teacher I have ever seen. Her portfolio led me to offer the job to her instead of another candidate and I have never been sorry about it.

Answer 2

You need to include your resume, at least 2 practicum reports and the names and numbers of 3 professional references (if you are just out of school - professors count) If you have any kind of curriculum planning you have developed on your own that is a great thing to include as well. And the reason why is so that the person doing the hiring has a good overview of what sets you above everyone else

Answer 3

I have not officially updated my portfolio since before I got a job 3 years ago, but here is what I have in it:

-Table of contents
-Course introduction brochure sample
-Samples of outstanding student work for assignments and projects I have created
-Photos of lesson-based, student work on the walls
-Observations and evaluations from cooperating teachers and supervisors
-Stash of resumes for job fairs

When I do actually get around to updating the thing, I would like to add some commentary about the assignment samples that I include, making note of things like...
-How each lesson aligns with a curriculum standard to show that I can play by the rules while being creative
-Reflections on what worked and what didn't work in each to show that I pay attention to students' reactions
-Photos of classroom and activities to show creativity and student engagement

You want to highlight what you consider your best qualities as a teacher. You might even include a brief statement of your basic philosophy of education and why you want to teach. The truth is that no one asked to see my portfolio when I was interviewing, though I did find a way to work it in at one school. For me it was more of a tool for organizing ahead of time what I wanted to be able to show potential employers about myself.