D-9.01-Professional Portfolios Professional Portfolios Objective 9.01 Classify components of an early childhood professional portfolio

D-9.01-Professional Portfolios

Professional Portfolios

Objective 9.01Classify components of an

early childhood professional portfolio.


What is a portfolio?

• A collection of materials that demonstrates a person’s skills, accomplishments, and attributes

• Can be in paper or electronic format


Purpose of portfolios---to showcase your experiences

and prove your skills• To apply for a volunteer experience• To carry to an employment interview• To carry to a scholarship interview• To seek enrollment in a school or

course


What categories of samples and evidences should be included in a portfolio?

• Documentation of experience

• Evidence of developmental knowledge

• Evidence of skills• Work samples


Documentation of Experience

•Anything that confirms that the work and education experiences you are claiming really happened


EXAMPLESDocumentation of Experience

• Photos working in education and child care settings

• Work agreements/contracts

• Work evaluations• Certificates of

completion


Evidence of Developmental Knowledge

•Anything that shows you have an understanding of basic theories about child development and of characteristics of children at various ages


EXAMPLESEvidence of Developmental Knowledge

• Photos of a child as he/she learns/grows/develops

• Sample work of children at different ages

• Case study of a child• Child observation reports• Samples of developmentally

appropriate activities/toys/games designed for individuals or age groups of children


Evidence of Skills

•Anything that shows your use of skills you claim to have

•You in action using your skills


EXAMPLESEvidence of Skills

• Photos of a person using a skill

• Certificates for completion of training

• Test scores on skill tests• Items produced using

specific skills• Letters from people who

have seen a skill in action or benefitted from its use in some way


More Ways to Document skills

• Photos showing you in action using skills

• Photos showing things you have made/done using your skills

• Work samples that reflect your skills• Letters or comments from people

about your skills as seen in action• In each case, specific skills should

be identified and labeled


Work Samples

•Actual things you have made, done, planned, constructed, designed, performed, or written


EXAMPLESWork Samples

• Writing samples• Lesson plans• Bulletin boards• Children’s art and

other work done by children under your direction


What other samples and

evidences can YOU think of that could be included

in YOUR portfolio?

How about these?


Resume/Career Goal

• A brief, written account of personal, educational, and professional qualifications and experience

• Often prepared by an applicant for a job


Photos of involvement

• Always include captions or labels

• Don’t assume viewers can tell what’s going on in the photo


Awards & Certificates of Achievement

Something awarded or granted, as for merit


Letters of Reference and Recommendations

• Something that recommends, especially a favorable statement concerning character or qualifications


Evaluations

• Internship or other work evaluations and comments from

– ECE Teacher– Cooperating

teachers in internship sites

– Parents of children in sites

– Children themselves


Transcripts

• An official report supplied by a school on the record of an individual student

• Listing subjects studied, grades received, etc.


Lesson/Activity Plans• Writing samples• Bulletin boards• Lesson Plans


Other Work Samples

• Writing samples• Bulletin boards• Original learning games• Original learning materials• Original stories, poems, song,

finger plays


Community Service

Services volunteered by individuals or an organization to benefit a community or its institutions


Guiding Questions as You Organize Your Portfolio

1. Have you used self-reflection to identify your strengths?



2. What skills and qualities are employers looking for?


Top 10 Skills and Qualities

1. Communication skills2. Honesty/integrity3. Teamwork skills4. Interpersonal skills5. Strong work ethic6. Motivation/initiative7. Flexibility/adaptability8. Analytical Skills9. Computer Skills10.Organizational skills


Communication Skills

• Excellent communication skills are the number one thing that employers and interviewers look for in a candidate.

• These can be verbal (spoken and written) or nonverbal (body language).

• You must be able to show that you can communicate, listen, and interact with others in a professional manner.

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Honesty & Integrity

• This is another very important quality employers look for in a person.

• Make sure that any information you provide in your portfolio is done with all honesty as you may be asked about the situation.

• If possible, give examples that demonstrate a situation that required integrity.


Teamwork skills

• Back up any claims you make regarding teamwork in your resume with portfolio examples.

• Present the portfolio during the interview, showing and confirming previous experiences you have had with teamwork skills.


Interpersonal skills• You must be able to prove your

interpersonal skills to the interviewer or employer during the interview.

• These include skills such as: working alongside others, being able to evaluate and accept responsibility, making teamwork more efficient, and identifying methods used when dealing with conflicts.


Strong Work Ethic

• You must be able to prove that you are willing to go beyond the call of duty for your employer.

• You are willing to give 100% commitment to the company and the job.

• Show that you have high career goals.


Motivation & Initiative• You should give examples during your

interview to get across that you are motivated and can show initiative when left to your own devices.

• Be able to explain or show how you would keep things moving forward even with obstacles in your way.


Flexibility & Adaptability

• Give examples from previous positions that show your adaptability to situations.

• Show you are able to be flexible, change gears, focus quickly, and adapt to change or expectations.


Analytical Skills

• Give examples that show off your analytical skills, backing up claims with your portfolio during the interview.

• Employers and recruiters look for ways that you have been able to analyze and clearly identify problems.


Computer skills• With today's modern technology

focusing on the use of computers, computer skills and understanding of various types of software are essential.

• Prove you are literate in the use of computers and software in your resume or portfolio.


Organizational skills

• Prove that you are able to organize quickly and in a clear manner.

• Show that you are not afraid to take charge of a situation and find a solution.

• Show by giving examples from previous situations in your resume or portfolio.


How to Demonstrate the Qualities Employers

Want• Identify your skills• Skill types:

– Technical– Transferable

• Skill sources– Work experiences– Life experiences



3. Have you shown that you have a wide range of skills to prepare you for the job?


Skill Types

• Technical skills include specific skills related to your career goal.

• Transferrable skills include the qualities employers seek. These are skills you have acquired from various experiences that can be useful in many situations.


Why Provide Evidence of Skills?

•Providing evidence of previous times you have successfully demonstrated your abilities is the best way to convince employers that you have the skills, qualities, and abilities they are looking for.



4. Have you chosen your BEST work and evidence to represent your GREATEST strengths?



5. Does the material you’ve included ADD VALUE to your portfolio?



6. Does the portfolio have a professional-looking appearance?


3 Steps to an Outstanding Portfolio:

Reflect, Collect, and Select

1. REFLECT on how you can demonstrate your knowledge, skills, personal qualities, interests, and experiences.

2. COLLECT examples that prove the skills you want to highlight.

3. SELECT samples that show your BEST work.

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D-9.01-Professional Portfolios Professional Portfolios Objective 9.01 Classify components of an early childhood professional portfolio