A teaching portfolio is important to maintain even after graduation. It is a way to track your successes in your field as well as being a resume for future teaching positions. One of the keys to having a great teaching portfolio is to know what to include in your portfolio.
One of the first items which should be in your teaching portfolio is your personal teaching philosophy. This should be uniquely your own philosophy. It is acceptable to use ideas from other educators but you should create your own philosophy of teaching ad articulate it well in the beginning of your portfolio. Your teaching philosophy should include how you teach, what your goals as an educator are and what your expectations will be for your students. You should include examples of your teaching practices as well as why you teach the way you do. This will be the first items readers of your portfolio will read. It is important to paint a vivid and accurate picture of yourself as a teacher.
The next item which you should include in your portfolio is a resume of your accomplishments. This should be updated often. You will want to include positions you have held, volunteer work, awards, etc. This is your resume and is often closely looked at so be accurate and include references and contact information. In this section you can also include your academic grades as well as letters of reference form professors. Even if you are not yet ready for graduation or seeking a job it would be wise to have professors write a letter of reference your for while your work is still fresh in their minds. This practice as so goes for employers and fellow teachers you are currently working with.
Another important section of your teaching portfolio is your lesson plans. It is very important to include lesson plans in your portfolio. This will give examples of your teaching style and creativity in the class room. This section should be well organized by subject matter. If you are a science teacher keep your biology and your chemistry separated. This will provide a professional flow to your portfolio. Future employers and professors do not want to see metamorphosis and chemical reactions mixed together. It will cause you to look unorganized and unprofessional.
There are many aspects which you will want to include in your teaching portfolio. It is important to not over load your portfolio with filler and invalid items. Keep your portfolio concise and to the point. It should convey who you are as an educator. You will want to be sure not to send mixed signals about your teaching philosophy and techniques. Online teaching portfolios have also become increasingly popular in the last few years to allow your peers and mentors to see. It is important to still maintain a hard copy of your teaching portfolio even if you have created an online version.
