Chapter 3 of the Life After College: Presenting Yourself to the Workforce textbook How to Construct an Impressive Teaching Portfolio in 5 Steps

EDU499 What Goes in a Portfolio

TRANSCRIPT FOR INTERACTIVE LEARNING MODULE

Screen 1: Objective

You will be guided through the components of a portfolio and how to target portfolios to

demonstrate skills in a particular industry focus. You will be able to build your portfolios with the

key tools to demonstrate your expertise and tailor them to specific roles.

Screen 2: Conversation on Portfolio

Olivia and Amelia Are Having a Conversation on Portfolios

Select the arrow buttons to explore more. Once finished, select the Next button.

[The screen displays 2 slides with 2 characters Amelia and Olivia]

Slide 1:

Amelia: I’m putting together my portfolio for job applications in education, but I’m not sure what

to include. Should I just add all my work?

Olivia: Not everything—focus on quality over quantity. Tailor it to highlight your strengths in

teaching. Include lesson plans, student assessments, and any classroom management

strategies that show your ability to make an impact in the classroom.

Slide 2:

Amelia: So, the key is selecting projects that match the job I’m applying for. For example, if they

need someone skilled in differentiated instruction, should I feature examples of that?

Olivia: Exactly. Your portfolio should show how you meet the specific needs of the role. Think of

it as demonstrating your expertise and how it aligns with what the school or district is looking for.

Screen 3: Portfolio

It is a curated collection of materials that showcase your skills, achievements, experiences, and qualifications to potential employers or clients. Here are some features of portfolios:

• They demonstrate your professional competencies and expertise in a specific field.

• They include documents such as resumes, work samples, certifications, and personal

statements.

• They are tailored to highlight your unique value and readiness for a targeted role or

industry.

Screen 4: Portfolio Essential for Educators and Professionals in

Education

Portfolios are essential for educators and education professionals because they showcase their skills, accomplishments, and teaching philosophy in a structured and reflective way, highlighting their readiness for specific roles. Some other ways portfolios help professionals are as follows:

• They demonstrate the practical application of educational theories through work samples

and lesson plans.

• They provide evidence of professional growth, certifications, and continuing education.

• They reflect personal teaching philosophy and adaptability to different educational

environments.

Screen 5: Key Components of a Portfolio – Part 1

Match the following with the correct options.

Select the correct options by expanding the button, and then select the Submit button.

[The screen displays 4 match the following questions. Each of the questions have a dropdown

to select the answer]

Option 1: Professional branding, contact details, and a brief professional summary

Option 1 Choice:

1. Cover Page 2. Philosophy of Education 3. Resume/Curriculum Vitae 4. Work Samples

Option 2: A concise summary of education, experience, and credentials

Option 2 Choice:

1. Cover Page 2. Philosophy of Education 3. Resume/Curriculum Vitae 4. Work Samples

Option 3: A one-page statement explaining your approach to teaching or working in education.

Option 3 Choice:

1. Cover Page 2. Philosophy of Education 3. Resume/Curriculum Vitae 4. Work Samples

Option 4: Examples of lesson plans, assessments, student feedback, and projects

Option 4 Choice:

1. Cover Page 2. Philosophy of Education 3. Resume/Curriculum Vitae 4. Work Samples

Screen 6: Key Components of a Portfolio – Part 2

Match the following with the correct options.

Select the correct options by expanding the button, and then select the Submit button.

[The screen displays 4 match the following questions. Each of the questions have a dropdown

to select the answer]

Option 1: Proof of certifications and teaching licenses

Option 1 choice:

1. Professional Development 2. Certifications and Qualifications 3. Letters of Recommendation 4. Reflection

Option 2: References from mentors, supervisors, or colleagues

Option 2 choice:

1. Professional Development 2. Certifications and Qualifications 3. Letters of Recommendation 4. Reflection

Option 3: Evidence of continued learning through workshops, courses, or other training

Option 3 choice:

1. Professional Development 2. Certifications and Qualifications 3. Letters of Recommendation 4. Reflection

Option 4: A self-reflective statement highlighting growth as an educator

Option 4 choice:

1. Professional Development 2. Certifications and Qualifications 3. Letters of Recommendation 4. Reflection

Screen 7: Tailoring Portfolios for Specific Roles

Try to tailor your portfolios for specific roles.

Select each segment in the visual to learn more.

[The screen displays 4 segment, each segment displaying information once the tab is selected]

Segment 1: Classroom Teachers

Include items to showcase your strengths in the classroom, such as

• lesson planning highlights

• classroom management

• student engagement strategies

Segment 2: Educational Leadership

Include items to showcase your strengths in the leadership arena, such as

• videos, testimonials, and articles that demonstrate your leadership skills

• examples of curriculum planning

• outlines of strategic decision-making

Segment 3: Special Education

Include items to showcase your ability when working with students, such as

• showcase student success stories

• share conflict resolution strategies

• describe your go to counseling techniques

Segment 4: School Counselors

Include items to showcase your experience in serving students with exceptionalities, such as

• highlight your knowledge and application of accommodations

• give evidence of your experience with individualized education plans (IEPs)

• describe or demonstrate you favorite adaptive teaching techniques

Screen 8: Showcasing Skills and Accomplishments

Select each tab to learn more.

[The screen displays 3 tabs, each tab displaying information once it the tab is selected]

Tab 1: Identify Strengths

Categorize your strongest skills. Examples include the following:

• leadership

• classroom management

• technology integration

Tab 2: Highlight Work Samples

Show exemplars of your own or your students’ work in the following ways:

• Point out best the objectives and why the work is exemplary.

• Make sure the exemplars are presented in a visually appealing way and are

professionally formatted.

Tab 3: Storytelling

Design your portfolio to tell a story about yourself. Here are tips of what you can include:

• Share your professional experiences and achievements.

o Professional development achievements

o a challenging situation you faced in the classroom and how you resolved it

o an innovative solution you created

Screen 9: Summary

Portfolios are essential for a job, offering a structured way to present skills, accomplishments,

and growth. They include key components such as resumes, work samples, and certifications.

Portfolios effectively showcase your strengths and career journey, helping you stand out for

targeted roles.