Tips for Educators: The Portfolio

Most schools and school districts do not use applications anymore for employment due to the threat of lawsuits a from legal challenges on the application forms. This is especially true in the United States where I spent 38 years in school and university administration.

So now candidates use their own CVs to apply for an educational opportunity. The CV is the first step in the hiring process. As I have said and written many times the CV is short and to the point, just a page or two. It is an introduction to HR or the hiring committee that you may be a good for for the organization.

The CV should include:

• Your name and contact information.
• Your picture is optional but I recommend one.
• Carer objective to include what you are applying for.
• Your education—-chronically, latest first.
• Your experience—-chronically, latest first. (You don’t have to go into detail on your responsibilities as a teacher, we know—-unless something unique).
• Certifications.
• Honors and awards—-recent. We don’t care that you were JV cheerleading captain.
• References available upon request. Not always necessary to include. We will get that information later if needed.

But what if you want to go into more detail? This is where the we use a portfolio. The CV is the bones of your application and the portfolio is the meat on the bones.

Your portfolio is normally given to the hiring committee during the interview but it can be electronically sent with the CV.

I recommend having a hard copy and a flash drive of your portfolio. My portfolio is forty pages and the interviewers probably will not have time to review it adequately during the interview.

I also recommend that you compile your portfolio as professionally as possible. Don’t just throw papers in a folder.

• Include a front cover.
• Introduction pages.
• A table of contents.

The portfolio is similar to a short book keep it current.

What can be included in the portfolio, in no particular order:

• Photocopies of your diploma(s) and transcripts. You can include degrees, certifications, programs, etc. you are currently enrolled.
• Photocopies of your certification.
• Letters of recommendations ( can include letters from students and parents).
• Copies of any honors or awards you recently received.
• Personal educational philosophy.
• Your most recent evaluation (usually the last five years).
• List of conferences you recently attended and if you made any presentations.
• Any extra-curricular activities that you are involved in at your school—- coaching, tutoring, sponsoring a club, etc.
• List of subjects you are and have taught.
• Samples of student work .
• Details of your teaching, including technology in the classroom.
• Data samples.
• Unit assessments and grading policies.
• Formative and summative assessments.
• Project assignments.
• Different classroom activities.
• Classroom rules and policies.

Remember that you are trying to sell yourself as the best candidate.

For further discussion you may contact me.

Dr. Les Potter
Founder, Potter’s Educational Services
[email protected]
A FREE service to educators