Building a Solid Portfolio
Portfolios
are more than just a container full of "stuff." A
portfolio is a structured collection of a person's progress, achievements,
contributions and efforts. This collection should be selective, reflective
and collaborative, and demonstrate accomplishments over time.
The following list of ideas and suggestions is designed to help educators
develop their self-assessment through the use of a portfolio. This
portfolio can be in the form of a folder, expandable file, a three-ring
binder or other format. Items from each of the following areas could
be included in the portfolio.
Background Information
- Resume/Vitae
- Information on teaching context
- Educational philosophy and teaching
goals
- Letters of recommendation
- Formal evaluations
Professionalism
- Professional growth plans -- individual plans
- Participation in
staff development activities -- list and briefly explain impact on
teaching
- Professional writing -- a copy of writing/research, position
papers
- Reflections on lessons/units -- written reflections
on what worked, what needs changing
- Journaling (daily or weekly) --
reflections on teaching; on work with students, colleagues, parents/community;
on professional growth activities; or on your professional reading/research
- Action
research projects -- an issue of interest/concern that has been researched
and documented
- Workshop/conference attendance -- briefly summarize
and explain impact on teaching
- District/building committees -- list
and state impact on professional growth
- Other professional organizations
-- list awards, commendations and impact on teaching
- Awards -- list
awards/provide a copy of the awards
- Commendations -- congratulatory
letters/notes
Instructional Methods/Strategies
- Sample lessons/units including teacher-made tests/forms
- Examples
of teacher-designed projects/activities
- Photographs of lessons/activities
- Student work samples/student reflections
- Innovations tried in teaching
-- new strategies or ideas tried in the classroom
Professional Relationships/Learning Environment
STUDENTS & TEACHERS
- Surveys -- interest or attitude inventories, unit evaluations
- Class
or student evaluations of teacher
- Letters or notes from students
- Involvement in student activities,
curricular/co-curricular
PARENTS/COMMUNITY & TEACHER
- Newsletters -- classroom, grade level, unit or team newsletters
- Conference
information -- notes, ideas and materials shared with parents and/or
students
- Involvement in classroom -- how parents and community are
involved in the classroom
- Correspondence -- letters or notes sent
to or received from parents or community members
TEACHER TO TEACHER: WORKING WITH COLLEAGUES
- Team planning and/or team teaching
- Interdisciplinary thematic units
and lesson planning
- Teacher as resource -- using another teacher as
a classroom resource
- Peer observations -- observe another teacher
and share thoughts and ideas on lesson observed
- Visitation -- visit
a teacher in another location (school) to observe his/her teaching
methods
- Reflective practice -- sharing teaching techniques, ideas
or professional growth activities with colleagues
- Study group participation
- Grade level, department, building level
committee participation
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