7112 09-Unit-D-9 01

Professional
Portfolios
Objective 9.01
Classify components of an early
childhood professional portfolio.
D-9.01-Professional Portfolios
What is a portfolio?
A collection of materials that
demonstrates a persons 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
EXAMPLES
Documentation 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
EXAMPLES
Evidence 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
EXAMPLES
Evidence 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
EXAMPLES
Work Samples
Writing samples
Lesson plans
Bulletin boards
Childrens 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
Dont assume viewers
can tell whats going
on in the photo
Always include
captions or
labels
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?
Your Portfolio
2. What skills and

qualities are employers
looking for?
Top 10 Skills and Qualities
1. Communication skills
2. Honesty/integrity
3. Teamwork skills
4. Interpersonal skills
5. Strong work ethic
6. Motivation/initiative
7. Flexibility/adaptability
8. Analytical Skills
9. Computer Skills
10. 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.
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
Your Portfolio
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.
Your Portfolio
4. Have you chosen

your BEST work and
evidence to represent
your GREATEST
strengths?
Your Portfolio
5. Does the material

youve included ADD
VALUE to your
portfolio?
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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Professional

Anything that confirms

Anything that shows

Actual things you have

How about these?

1. Have you used

2. What skills and

Excellent communication skills are the number

You must be able to prove that you are

Be able to explain or show how you would

Give examples from previous positions

3. Have you shown that

Transferrable skills include the qualities

4. Have you chosen

5. Does the material

6. Does the portfolio

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