A Professional Teacher Portfolio

A professional portfolio is a linked collection of evidence that demonstrates knowledge, skills and values which underpins your philosophy of teaching which will continue to evolve throughout your professional career. Your portfolio should be designed to reflect your personal demeanor and professional values.

1. Teaching philosophy: What is the philosophical basis which underpins your work as a teacher? What do you value in your teaching? What are the features of your teaching? What will your classroom look like? What underpins this? Articulate your readiness to enter the teaching profession (625 words).
2. National Professional Standards for Teachers: Each standard in the National Professional Standards for Teachers is to have its own section in your portfolio (3500 words)

Here you are to use the standard descriptors to:

• Provide an introduction to each standard linking what you have learnt throughout the four years of your course to that standard
• Document how you as a graduate teacher meet the requirements of each focus area and graduate descriptor by using a range of appropriate and varied evidence to support your claims. The type of evidence which is relevant and useful can be found in your prescribed text, Chapter 6: Artefact possibilities.
• Ensure that all the mandatory areas which are literacy, Indigenous education, special education, students from non-English speaking backgrounds, classroom management, information and communication technologies are woven through each of the focus areas where appropriate.

Rationale

The assessment item will be presented in an electronic format, for example on a CD or USB, or as a website, illustrating your transition to teaching. This assignment will require preservice teachers to address all the elements in the National Professional Standards for Teachers using evidence which has been collected over the course of your degree.

Assessment tasks will link directly to the following objectives for this subject:

• Demonstrate critical self reflection on the teaching learning process
• Demonstrate an understanding of the K-12 continuum and the needs of middle school learners within this continuum
• Demonstrate an awareness of the educational needs of Indigenous, Special Education and students from Non-English Speaking backgrounds
• Showcase how pedagogy, young people’s identities, primary curriculum and high school specialization intersect to enact pedagogy
• Showcase young people’ identity
• Model advocacy, social justice and equity
• Demonstrate how to address the needs of young people in the middle years
• Engage with and enact current teaching and learning technologies
• Demonstrate knowledge of the National Professional Standards for Teachers and the use of suitable evidence for each of the elements for Graduate teachers.

Marking criteria

Criteria 1:

• Demonstrated understanding of each element in the National Professional Standards for Teachers
• Demonstrate understanding of all domains, standards and focus areas.
• Demonstrate the importance of the social and cultural contexts in child and adolescent development.
• Demonstrate how your classroom will be underpinned by the principles of social justice and equity.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the schooling contexts for adolescents.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the educational complexities surrounding diversity and meeting the educational needs of Indigenous, special education and NESB students.
• Demonstrate ability to synthesise theory and practice in relation to all the elements in the National Professional Standards for Teachers.
• Demonstrate knowledge of curriculum content as it relates to primary and secondary KLAs.
• Demonstrate the learning needs of young people within the K-12 continuum.

Criteria 2: Presentation

• Demonstrate ability to organise, integrate and articulate ideas persuasively and fluently; exceptional clarity of written language in regard to all the elements of the National Professional Standards for Teachers.
• The type of evidence presented for each element is appropriate.
• Demonstrate critical self reflection regarding skills, knowledge and understanding of the teaching and learning process.
• Material is presented in a format which is easy to navigate and access.
• All elements of the National Professional Standards for Teachers have been addressed.

 

Word Count: 4300-4400

No. of Pages: 16