Creating a Teaching Portfolio (with Dr. Lunsford’s suggestions)
The AIM of a Teaching Portfolio is to engage a reviewer and to sell yourself; nothing “boring” should be included.
Sample Table of Contents:
I. Letter of Application (around 1 ½ pages; should be memorable with vivid, concrete examples)
Includes—Position number and full position title applying for (double-check this!), a summary of your qualifications, a summary of your current research and its application to the position applied for, walk through of the Teaching Portfolio, signature, contact information, and list of attachments
II. Abbreviated CV
III. CV [*Tip: Samples are available on the TA Website.]
IV. Teaching Philosophy [*Tip: Samples will soon be available on the TA Website.]
V. Sample Syllabi (2 or 3) [*Tip: Annotate your syllabi as Dr. Lunsford suggested.]
VI. Sample Assignments (2 or 3 with sample student essays/sample graded student essays) [*Tip: Annotate your assignment sheets/grading rubrics.]
VII. Evidence of Teaching Effectiveness
Includes—Sample of student evaluations, departmental observations or evaluations [*Tip: Scan student evals so that digital copies are available to you as you need them!]; AND a reflection/interpretation of this data
VIII. Writing Sample
Includes—a “meaty,” middle chapter of your thesis or dissertation, any published article or chapter, and/or a class project or essay that exemplifies some aspect of your research not represented in the thesis/diss. [no more than three samples]
Other Possibilities:
IX. Research Sample
Includes—Research Statement, Handouts presented at conferences, data collected for a project, photos of poster presentations, etc… [Demonstrate a broad range of abilities; may be combined with the Writing Sample]
X. Administrative Portfolio
Includes—Sample TA Handouts, Training Materials, Forms created; Observations/Evaluations you have completed of other Instructors
XI. Tutoring Portfolio (duplicates should be avoided, and other materials can be integrated throughout the Teaching Portfolio)
Includes—
· CV
· Tutoring Philosophy
· UWC evaluation/observation forms
· Student evaluation forms
· Sample administrative tasks
· Handout/workshops created or revised
· WC-specific conference presentation samples
· Writing sample
· Any other pertinent information
Additional Information:
® Keep it simple; the portfolio should be short enough to flip through in one, brief sitting.
® Organize your material into a binder or folder that looks professional in both color and style; use tabs to divide sections.
® MLA encourages you not to send the full portfolio with every application, but be prepared to send it on request or to possibly send an abbreviated version. ALWAYS send a Teaching Philosophy and CV!