What to Include in a Teaching Portfolio for an Interview

When preparing a teaching portfolio for an interview, it’s crucial to present a comprehensive and well-organized collection of documents and materials that showcase your teaching philosophy, experience, and effectiveness. Here’s a detailed guide on what to include, written in a style that highlights key points to grab the attention of interviewers:

1. Cover Page

   • Name: Include your full name, current position, and contact information.
   • Photo: A professional headshot can make a strong first impression.

2. Table of Contents

   • Provide a clear and organized table of contents for easy navigation of your portfolio.

3. Teaching Philosophy Statement

   • Summary of Beliefs: Articulate your beliefs about teaching and learning. Include your approach to pedagogy, student engagement, and how you support diverse learning needs.
   • Teaching Goals: Describe your long-term teaching goals and how you aim to achieve them.

4. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

   • Educational Background: Detail your academic qualifications.
   • Professional Experience: List your teaching positions, responsibilities, and achievements.
   • Publications and Presentations: Include relevant academic and professional publications, conference presentations, and workshops.

5. Sample Syllabi and Lesson Plans

   • Course Syllabi: Provide examples of syllabi for courses you’ve taught, including course objectives, learning outcomes, and assessment methods.
   • Lesson Plans: Include detailed lesson plans that illustrate your instructional strategies and methods.

6. Teaching Evaluations and Feedback

   • Student Evaluations: Present summaries or excerpts from student evaluations that highlight your strengths and areas of improvement.
   • Peer Reviews: Include feedback from colleagues who have observed your teaching.

7. Evidence of Student Learning

   • Student Work Samples: Provide anonymized examples of student work that demonstrate the learning outcomes achieved through your teaching.
   • Assessment Tools: Show examples of quizzes, exams, and other assessment tools used to measure student learning.

8. Professional Development

   • Certifications and Training: List any additional certifications, workshops, or training related to teaching and education.
   • Continued Learning: Describe any ongoing professional development activities you participate in to stay current in your field.

9. Teaching Awards and Honors

   • Awards: Highlight any teaching awards or recognitions you have received.
   • Honors: Include any special honors related to your teaching career.

10. Reflections and Future Goals

    • Self-Assessment: Provide a reflective overview of your teaching practices, including what has worked well and what you plan to improve.
    • Future Plans: Outline your goals for future teaching and how you plan to achieve them.

11. Supporting Documents

    • Letters of Recommendation: Include letters from colleagues, supervisors, or students who can vouch for your teaching abilities.
    • Additional Materials: Provide any other relevant materials that support your teaching effectiveness, such as teaching videos or additional student work.

The key to a successful teaching portfolio is to present a balanced view of your teaching abilities, showing both your successes and areas for growth. Make sure each section is well-organized and clearly demonstrates your strengths as an educator.