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Chapter 2 Becoming a Teacher
• Portfolios reflect professionalism. An effective
portfolio is well-organized, neat, and easy to
understand (Figure 2.7). One of the
most common methods of organizing
a portfolio is to use a three-ring binder
with tab dividers. Make the pages
interesting, but professional. Even the
paper you choose, the way you arrange
items, and the lettering you use say
something about you.
Make sure that what you have
written is accurate, clear to the reader,
and grammatically correct. To be
effective, a portfolio must be error-free.
Proofread carefully several times. It is
a good idea to ask at least two people
to review your portfolio before you turn
it in for a class or use it for another
purpose.
What Should You Include in Your
Portfolio?
Even though portfolios vary, there are several documents that are
often part of a personal teaching portfolio. If you are preparing this as a
class project, your teacher will give specific guidelines. The following are
some items to include in a portfolio:
• basic information about yourself, including your name and year in
school
• an essay focusing on your career goals and personal interests
• projects, assignments, or examples from experiences that display
your skills
• journal entries about your experiences related to teaching
• a list of the courses you have taken in high school
• a list of community activities, including any community service
• information about any jobs you have had
• academic recognition, such as letters, certificates, or honors
• information on leadership positions you have held or
demonstrated
• documentation of special skills, such as foreign language or
exceptional computer skills
Figure 2.7 Present your portfolio in a
professional, organized manner in a binder
or case that protects your artifacts.