Do I need to have a teaching portfolio for my first interview?

Question

I just graduated from a university with a degree in teaching. All of my courses suggested I create a teaching portfolio but no one really specified what should be in it. Anyone have any helpful tips for creating a portfolio? Do I really need it? How about tips for the interview? Thanks!

Answer 1

Include lessons that you used from student teaching experience.  It might also help if you have examples of tests that you've given, rubrics for any projects you plan to assign, copy of syllabus, if you have any examples of student work on some of your projects, all of these things help.  It isn't 100% necessary, but most schools prefer to be able to see bits of your work so they can understand what you will bring to a position.  If you bring it without them asking, the worst thing that can happen is you will say I've brought some samples lessons and such to show you and hand them off.  It's good to have some things you can leave with them.  Then they have something that reminds them of you.  Good luck!

Answer 2

Ok, I graduated in 2001 and they were really pushing these things, I have yet to be asked for one on an interview.  I have worked full time at 2 public schools and 1 private school, I also went on interviews at a few other places.  I had my portfolio and none wanted to see it and I felt I had to push it on them.  Please DO NOT stress over it.  You can take one if you like, but they are not required.  Act and dress professionally and be up to date on the current trends such as differentiation, inclusion, and scaffolding.  

Answer 3

idk do you?

Answer 4

I have one and it includes successful lesson plans, my credentials (resume, certificates, unofficial transcript), pictures of my work and interactions with students, professional development certificates, current evaluation, my degrees, and PowerPoint presentations.

I put all of it in a 3-ring binder and placed everything in separate sheet protectors.

I highly suggest it because it supports what you say you are capable of doing in the interview.

For the interview, dress professionally and be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. I had a Principal suggest I get certified in all middle school subjects and I nicely told her that I would not ever consider that option. She gave me a puzzled look and I explained to her that I am not comfortable with teaching math and history because ther are not my strong subjects. By explaining why I did not support her suggestion I showed her that I am not a "whatever you say I will do " employee and was capable of standing up for what I believe in. I did get  the job and was promoted to administration in 2 years.

Hope this helps.  

Answer 5

Holy c**p!  They didn't make you make one college!!  Mine was about 200 pages thick...your college has done you a HUGE injustice.  I really thought you were required to make one for the university to be accredited...fishy.

Anyway, include lesson plans, observations, reflections, case studies, tapes of you teaching, photos of large projects, etc.  Pretty much everything you did in college.

Answer 6

Bring it...the worst that can happen is that they know you are prepared to show it even if they aren't prepared to review it!  Be sure to have some good lessons that you have prepared (use the ones from your college student teaching), reference letters, copies of licenses and endorsements, maybe even a copy of your diploma showing your degree...and whatever else you see as important. I included in mine a statement of my teaching philosophy and my resume.  Only one of my interviews asked to see it--I'm glad I had it because that was the school that hired me!  Maybe it was a coincidence, maybe not!

Some of the new "savvy" teachers bring a hard copy and then leave a copy of a CD or put it on-line.  That is always impressive!

As for the interview, be sure you are a good listener, be yourself, and be sure to act interested in the job by asking good questions.  You will do fine!

Good luck to you!