Characteristics of a positive relationship with students, families, and colleagues.

A. Create a professional portfolio by following the linked “Portfolio Help Document.”

1. Create a name for your professional portfolio that will act as your home page (e.g., John Doe’s Professional Portfolio).
2. Include your full name and date submitted on your home page.

B. Include a concise philosophy of teaching essay (suggested length of no longer than 2 pages).

Note: You may update a previous version of your philosophy of teaching essay, but the updated version must meet the requirements listed below.

1. Discuss why teaching is important to you.
2. Describe your beliefs as a professional educator about teaching and learning.

a. Explain how your beliefs about teaching and learning are supported by theory and/or research.

3. Describe the desired outcomes (e.g., problem solving, determination, standards) you want to foster in your students.

a. Describe the teaching methods (i.e., instructional strategies) you feel are important to achieve your desired outcomes.

b. Describe the assessment strategies you feel are important to evaluate your desired outcomes.

4. Describe characteristics of a positive relationship with students, families, and colleagues.

a. Discuss how your decisions and actions impact this positive relationship with students, families, and colleagues.

C. Include an updated professional résumé that adheres to the attached “Teacher Résumé Guidelines.”

D. Create an individualized professional growth plan (suggested length of 1–3 pages) by doing the following:

1. Describe how you have developed as a teacher.

a. Describe how professional development activities (e.g. research, community project, conference) specific to content and content pedagogy have contributed to your development.

b. Describe a specific example of how collaborating with a colleague has improved your teaching.

c. Describe a specific example of how utilizing resources (e.g., print, digital, virtual) from professional education organizations has improved your teaching.

2. Describe a specific goal for how you want to improve as a teacher.

a. Discuss how you will accomplish the goal described in part D2.

E. Include four artifacts that you have created (e.g., lesson plans; assessments; projects you have completed for WGU, TWS, edTPA, or CalTPA material) that showcase your abilities in each of the following competencies:

• using and promoting academic language in the classroom

• differentiating instruction to meet the needs of students in the classroom

• incorporating technology into your instruction to enhance student learning

• applying engaging and effective instructional strategies

Note: Each artifact does not have to showcase all four competencies individually, but all four competencies should be showcased across the four artifacts.

Note: Videos and other digital artifacts may only be included if you have the appropriate permission(s). Privacy laws such as FERPA require that you remove any identifying information (e.g., name, school, student ID numbers, addresses, pictures) from any submissions to WGU. If you use fictitious names, you must note this in your documentation.

1. Complete the “Competency Matrix” attachment to explain how your artifacts showcase your abilities in the competencies.

F. When you use sources, include all in-text citations and references in APA format.

Note: You are also encouraged to include additional, optional items in your portfolio, such as the following:

• copies of observations or evaluations
• letters of recommendation
• samples of student work (student identifiers must be removed)
• awards, citations, recognitions, and honors

• any other artifacts or documents that demonstrate your professional accomplishments and objectives