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!