Tonight I want to share a little bit about professional portfolios for teachers, since several of my teacher candidates have recently asked me about this important and sometimes confusing tool.
A portfolio can take on many forms. It is a collection, certainly, of
A portfolio can take on many forms. It is a collection, certainly, of
meaningful artifacts. This begs the question... "meaningful" for whom?
Although in teachers' college, the portfolio may begin as a course assignment, an exercise in reflection, I can assure you that no one other than your course professor is every going to tuck into your be-stickered masterpiece with any kind of gusto! The end goal of most professional portfolios are job-catching. With this in mind, consider the following:
1 . What sorts of things are Principals in an interview likely to be
looking for (and asking about)?
2. What artefacts can you include in your portfolio that demonstrate the
skills and knowledge you are likely to be asked about?
3. How will you use each of these artefacts in an interview? What will you
say about them? Do you need to use the same artefacts for every interview?
Do you need to share everything in your portfolio?
You may want to begin saving various things, and then you are preparing for an interview, select a few key items to highlight your strengths. A good lesson plan, for example, can allow you to speak to your program knowledge and skills, and can allow you to show off your understanding of assessment, curriculum and lesson design. Highlight some culturally appropriate materials and show off your cultural proficiency skills as well!
So, by all means, make it lovely, make it beautiful, include your oh-so-philosophical "Philosophy of Education" and throw on a few sprinkles and stickers and fancy fonts. But remember that your opus will likely evolve over the months and years, as you move from pre-service to in-service.
Happy portfolio prep!
Vera :)
P.S. below are two versions of my own philosophy of education. The first is from my student-teacher days at OISE, the second I revised after spending a few years in the classroom. Fundamentally, they are the same. A firm foundation is the critical -- of course our understanding will deepen and grow with experience, but fundamentally, we should know what we stand for before we enter the profession, shouldn't we?
Although in teachers' college, the portfolio may begin as a course assignment, an exercise in reflection, I can assure you that no one other than your course professor is every going to tuck into your be-stickered masterpiece with any kind of gusto! The end goal of most professional portfolios are job-catching. With this in mind, consider the following:
1 . What sorts of things are Principals in an interview likely to be
looking for (and asking about)?
2. What artefacts can you include in your portfolio that demonstrate the
skills and knowledge you are likely to be asked about?
3. How will you use each of these artefacts in an interview? What will you
say about them? Do you need to use the same artefacts for every interview?
Do you need to share everything in your portfolio?
You may want to begin saving various things, and then you are preparing for an interview, select a few key items to highlight your strengths. A good lesson plan, for example, can allow you to speak to your program knowledge and skills, and can allow you to show off your understanding of assessment, curriculum and lesson design. Highlight some culturally appropriate materials and show off your cultural proficiency skills as well!
So, by all means, make it lovely, make it beautiful, include your oh-so-philosophical "Philosophy of Education" and throw on a few sprinkles and stickers and fancy fonts. But remember that your opus will likely evolve over the months and years, as you move from pre-service to in-service.
Happy portfolio prep!
Vera :)
P.S. below are two versions of my own philosophy of education. The first is from my student-teacher days at OISE, the second I revised after spending a few years in the classroom. Fundamentally, they are the same. A firm foundation is the critical -- of course our understanding will deepen and grow with experience, but fundamentally, we should know what we stand for before we enter the profession, shouldn't we?
| personal_philosophy_of_education.doc |
| personal_philosophy_of_education_revised_march_2000.doc |
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