Teaching Portfolio

As I round out the work week and the excitement of my pending vacation builds, I realize that when I return (in two weeks time) I will have five weeks left before school. 5 WEEKS! Let the panic set it. I havent built my teaching portfolio, I havent built my student teacher binder, I havent done anything I planned on doing this summer! I mean, lets face it, once classes start, there is no hope in hell that I will get around to making my teaching portfolio! Id better get my ass in gear!

I have two options for building a portfolio- build a hard copy, or a digital copy. My thoughts are currently leaning towards a hard copy (its something I am much more comfortable with) with the hope of finishing with enough time to also build a digital copy. (This is sure to impress those tech-savy principals!)

Where do I even begin! I spend my dull moments browsing Pinterest and Teachers Pay Teachers for all sorts of advice & tips for building a portfolio, but still- I havent had that moment of inspiration yet. I sit, and I look at my collection of (for lack of a better word) stuff, and that is all I see, a bunch of stuff.

So I guess first thing first, lets start with the table of contents. What are the MUSTS to include:

1. Rationale (explain why you have included specific things)
2. Table of contents (organization organization organization! Its the key!)
3. Teaching philosophy (I always struggle here. I have a hard time saying anything concisely)
4. Teaching Certification
5. Transcripts
6. Professional Development Certificates
7. IFX (pictures, examples of work, final evaluation)
8. AFX (pictures, examples of work, final evaluation)
9. Examples of personal growth
10. Examples of life-long learning

This last one is super important to me. The principal in my IFX told me that the most important thing to do in a teaching interview is to demonstrate that you are a life-long learner. He said that as teachers you are role models for students, and you model through your actions. So what does a life-long learner look like? (wow alliteration!) Well, a LLL is someone who is constantly learning something new. I for instance, am trying my hand at blogging! Ive also recently begun to use Twitter (you can follow me here). Why am I doing this? Because I have seen how teacher have begun to use social media in their classrooms & I wanted to be able to do the same.

Im sure there are a ton more things that I can include in my portfolio... If you have any ideas or suggestions, please help a girl out & comment below!

Thanks!