Monday, January 11, 2016

Tips to make your Teaching Portfolio POP!


 Since moving to Annapolis I have been on the job hunt.  Okay so it's only been like, 2 weeks, but you can never start soon enough, right?  I had a job interview this morning and I got some really good feedback about my portfolio.  Some of you were asking what was included so I figured I'd do a blog post about it!
So here goes...

The first thing I did was list some of my positive attributes on a random piece of paper.  I thought about some things I knew I was good at and some things I knew that Principals would want to know about.  I also scrolled through my computer and picked about some good photos that I knew I would be able to use. 

The "about me" page is simple and quick.  Just a little bit about me and how long I've been teaching.  I don't have any kids so I mention my dog and I also threw in a little something about my blog.




Next, I decided to dive into the organization of my room.  I'm pretty organized so just a few pictures helped to capture that.  Along with my classroom organization I talk just a tad about what I do for behavior management.  This section could go on and on because of the array of things I have going on in my room but I chose just a few points and narrowed my focus on those.






Communication is always a big thing.  
I devoted one whole section to a few things I do to keep communication in check.



I also scanned a few products I created and uploaded them to my pages.  


I come from years of Title I experience and have created many products to help with at risk students.  I thought this would be a good section to add to show some of the activities I do daily in guided reading/math, etc.












My first grade team also worked hard to create opportunities for our higher students.  I used this section to highlight what I do for my students working beyond grade level.





I've gotten some really sweet notes over the years and I've saved them.  I took a few and scanned them into my file.  I feel like this adds a good closing.







Add a cute little cover and you're done! 
Usually, I just print the pages and slide them in page protectors and stick them in a three ring binder.  That way, when I go school to school and I leave it, I'm fine with it being thrown away.  This time, my husband insisted we take the portfolio to staples and have it professionally bound.

This IS a more costly option, but I have to say it looks very professional.

Hope this helps you in your pursuit of finding the teaching job of your dreams!





3 comments:

  1. Your portfolio looks ah-maz-ing!! It *almost* makes me want to make one...ha! Wishing you continued luck on your journey to find your next classroom!! Did you decide about TPT Orlando?

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    1. Thanks girl! I don't think I'm going to be able to do TPT Orlando this year. My best friend (whose name is also Molly) is getting married in Orlando, believe it or not. I'm in the wedding so the obvious cost of that, plus I'm flying down to Orlando in March for the bach party, flying down again in May for the wedding...etc. Plus we're building a house and my husband didn't think that it would be smart financially to go this year. So HOPEFULLY, if it's in Orlando again next year, I'll be able to go. PLUS, if I have a baby by then, my mother-in-law said she would drive from Tampa to babysit :) I'm going to be so jealous see all the pics :(

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