Designing Professional Portfolios for Change

Formerly a SkyLight publication.

"Can I see your portfolio?" It′s a phrase teachers will hear from their current administrators and potential employers. Portfolios capture an educator′s teaching style, philosophy, and accomplishments, and lay them out for everyone to see. But portfolios are not only used for performance reviews, job searches, and promotion justifications; they also aid educators in long-term development and goal setting. Portfolios allow teachers to make a realistic evaluation of their own progress, and if necessary, adapt accordingly.

Kay Burke discusses the two major types of portfolios—professional growth and performance—and walks teachers through every aspect of developing and maintaining a useful piece. Teachers learn how to:

Review resources Collect data Collaborate with peers Select and organize content Reflect on finished portfolio projectsComplete with blacklines and a sample portfolio, this how-to guide is a keystone for a professional development library.