Teaching to Learn, Learning to Teach

3. Individualize cover letters. Show that you know something about the school or district
   (e.g., discuss your desire to work in a multiethnic community).


4. When you get an interview, be who you are, not whom you think they want. It is unlikely
   you will trick anyone. You do not really want to work in a school that has a radically dif-
   ferent approach to education from yours.


5. Create a portfolio that demonstrates the kind of teacher you are. Place it on a Web site
   and bring a hard copy with you to interviews. Even if no one looks at it, the process of

STRUGGLE 271

FIG. 10.5 Creating a professional portfolio.

1. Why have a professional portfolio?
   a. It is a way to assess your teaching and professional preparation.
   b. It helps you visualize your development over time and redefine future goals.
   c. It is a way to present your teaching and professional preparation to others.
   d. It is a way to prepare yourself for job interviews.


2. What should I include in my professional portfolio?
   a. Personal and professional information.
   
   
   1. Cover letter
   
   
   2. Resume
   
   
   3. Certification
   
   
   4. Diploma
   
   
   5. Scores on qualifying exams
   
   
   6. Letters of recommendation
   
   
   7. Philosophical statement—“Why I want to be a teacher”
      b. Examples of knowledge and competence.
   
   
   8. Photographs of students
   
   
   9. Unit plan with handouts
   
   
   10. Student work
   
   
   11. Certificates of achievement
   
   
   12. Field observations
   
   
   13. Relevant written work
       c. Special achievements—student magazine, published material, playbill, newspaper
       articles.
   
   
   
   


3. How should I organize my professional portfolio?
   a. Personal approach—develop a strategy for presenting yourself.
   b. Standards approach.
   
   
   1. Knowledge of subject matter
   
   
   2. Knowledge of human development
   
   
   3. Adapting instruction for individual needs
   
   
   4. Multiple instructional strategies
   
   
   5. Classroom motivation and management skills
   
   
   6. Communication skills
   
   
   7. Instructional planning skills
   
   
   8. Assessment of student learning
   
   
   9. Professional commitment and responsibility
   
   
   
   


4. Partnerships


5. How do I present my professional portfolio?
   a. Working portfolio/your file cabinet—a system for storing and sorting material for
   inclusion in your presentation portfolio.
   b. Presentation portfolio.
   
   
   1. Bound copy—insert binder
   
   
   2. Electronic delivery—Web site or CD-ROM