Elementary Teaching Portfolio
How Primary School Teachers Can Create an Interview Portfolio
A teaching portfolio showcases a teacher’s best work and highlights her credentials for future employment. A primary school teacher should use the portfolio to display successful lesson plans, teaching certificates and a classroom management plan in an organized binder. During an interview, a teacher can reference the portfolio to add to her verbal answers and demonstrate her specific qualifications. Use the outline below to develop a professional teaching portfolio.
The Teaching Portfolio Cover Letter
A general cover letter is displayed in the first section of the binder. The letter should include the applicant’s qualifications, desired position, and reasons a school district should consider the applicant for employment.
The Elementary Teacher Resume
A standard resume on formal resume paper is found in the second section. The resume should list the potential teacher’s education, professional experience and employment, references and current contact information.
The Philosophy of Elementary Teaching
The philosophy of teaching is a one page document detailing the teacher’s viewpoint or paradigm of education. It includes outlines of how the classroom will be run, what it will look like and how students will learn.
Teaching Clearances for Employment
All clearances and background check information should be placed into this section. Each state or district may have specific requirements for employment such as a criminal background check or a child abuse history clearance.
Teacher Scores and University Transcripts
All states require that teachers pass certain standardized tests. The results of this testing along with official college transcripts should be displayed in this section.
Teacher Certifications
The professional teaching certificate is found in this section showing prospective employers there are no impediments to employment.
Sample Elementary School Lesson Plans
The lesson plan section is a chance for a new teacher to showcase her best work. Three or four successful lesson plans are chosen to be highlighted. The teacher summarizes the lesson and includes photographs of the lesson along with sample materials to show off her abilities as an elementary teacher.
Sample Elementary School Unit
Unit lesson plans allow teachers to demonstrate their skill and creativity by teaching a variety of lessons using a common topic and are a great way to stand out at an interview.
Teacher Evaluations and Recommendations
Place student teaching or administrative evaluations in this section. Choose recommendations that showcase teaching qualities the hiring district is seeking. For example, if they are looking for a candidate with a strong background in reading, recommendations that highlight reading instruction should be selected.
Elementary Classroom Management Plan
All school districts want to know that their teachers can handle classroom discipline and behavior. Use the last section to outline an effective classroom management plan with strategies to deal with positive and negative classroom behaviors.
An elementary teaching portfolio serves as a visual representation of the teacher and allows interviewers to see positive qualities and skills that may not be addressed during the interview process. Prospective teachers can maximize their portfolio’s impact at an interview by personalizing it with photographs, student samples and quotes from former students.
