Under the new rules for Indiana's recently licensed teachers, all teachers must complete a professional teaching portfolio. Last year's second year teachers were the first teachers who were forced to complete such an assignment. And as a second year teacher, I was plagued with the same assignment this school year.
Being a second year teacher is difficult enough, so I admit I was a bit peeved that I was forced to deal with this "other thing," too. The deadline is May 1, 2008, but I wanted to get it over and done with. Since my school runs on trimesters, and I knew I would be teaching three different classes during the second trimester, I chose to do my portfolio during the first trimester of the school year. I decided to do my portfolio with my unit of Romeo and Juliet, and I ended up having a lot of fun with it. Because I started and planned ahead of time, I had my portfolio completed at the beginning of November.
Among pages upon pages of reflection and reporting, the portfolio requires analysis of student work and a videotaped teacher led discussion with the class. I had never videotaped myself teach before, and it was kind of a fun (yet frightening) experience.
So, why is the state requiring all this work for newer teachers? In my opinion, I think the state may want to "weed out" the people who shouldn't be in the teaching profession. But if that truly is the case, should older teachers be required to do some sort of work, too? Or is it understood that if you've been teaching for a number of years that you're automatically an accomplished, successful teacher?
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3 comments:
sister.....i would love to see the video of you teaching! And i think that older teachers should also do the portfolio. I know I have had some pretty terrible teachers and wonder how they are still teaching! Keep up the great work!! I am behind you 100% xoxo
AMEN, sister! You know I completely agree with frustration of having to do this daunting task; It would be nice for the state to show some professional growth statistically in the abilities of new teachers due to this program, as well as data that supports its effectiveness. I can't believe that I'm actually asking for more data/research, but I have yet to hear of any new teacher not passing just yet...so maybe the question should be why is this not completed in college to earn a degree in the first place? Perhaps more field experience combined with this professionally advanced portfolio should be handed down to the kids with extra energy in college. ;)
In the long run, though, we've already done our work...so moving the project would only bring about feelings of "unfairness." As with most of our culture these days, there will always be something to complain about... :)
Here in SC, we do a portfolio as our evaluation process every 3 years. I really like it because I think it says a lot about me as a teacher. I also put in lots of phone logs, plus emails to/from parents and to/from other teachers. This shows communication and collaboration with others which I think is very important in our profession. Now that I am involved in teacher evaluation, I really enjoy looking and learning from the portfolios that I look at.
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