Social Studies Teacher Interview Portfolio

Aesthetics: Superficial, but necessary

• Organize – In a binder, use dividers and plastic page covers.

• Include pictures if possible.• Keep it simple to browse through (You are the

most important person in the world, but the committee/administrator doesn’t know this yet.)

• Bring (ten+/-) copies of important items to hand out to the committee.

Essential Components:• Unit of Instruction/Lesson Plans:

A. AssessmentB. DifferentiationC. IntegrationD. Reflection

• Student Work• Using Technology in the Classroom• Parent/Community Involvement• Extra-Curricular Activities• Philosophy/Professional affiliations*This assumes you have your resume, cover letter, transcripts, letters of recommendation

Sample Lessons/Unit

• Standards covered (GLE’s?)

• Understanding by Design model– Essential Question (What do you want the

students to know?)– Assessment (Your lessons lead to this)– Individual lessons/activities/projects

Understanding by Design Filters

Filter 1: To what extent does the idea, topic, or process represent a "big idea" having enduring value beyond the classroom?

Filter 2: To what extent does the idea, topic, or process reside at the heart of the discipline?

Filter 3: To what extent does the idea, topic, or process require uncoverage?

Filter 4: To what extent does the idea, topic, or process offer potential for engaging students?

Assessment Example

• Traditional (especially for high school)

• Project

• Writing Prompt

• Choices – Differentiation

Differentiation

• Multiple Intelligences or different learning styles (One size doesn’t fit all)

• Analyzing Columbus Example

Integration of Content: Interdisciplinary & Intradisciplinary

• Interdisciplinary – Ex: literacy strategies, trade books, interpreting graphs, using and understanding statistics, etc.

• Intradisciplinary – incorporating geography, economics, history, political science, etc. into a unit of instruction.

Reflection

• There is always room for improvement

• Identify your weaknesses

• Modify during and after

Student Work = Evidence

• Examples:– Rough drafts, final drafts– Writing responses to journals– Tests– Projects– Pictures/video of students working

*Include Rubrics or Criteria Sheets

Using Technology in the Classroom

• Using the Internet to research part of a project.

• PowerPoint presentations to class.• Blogging• Class website• Email listserve• Video Streaming• Video Conferencing…

Parent/Community Involvement

• Correspondence – letters, email, phone log, agenda signing.

• Parent conferences – traditional, student-led conferences, portfolio presentations, potluck dinners.

• PTSA attendance• Improving Our Community Project

Example (also: letters to government officials)

Extra-Curricular Activities

• Club advisory – ex: Student Council, Homework clubs, etc.

• Coaching – assist/volunteer

• Participation in faculty or department meetings.

Philosophy/Professional Affiliations

• Your educational philosophy

• Organizations you belong to, like NCSS.

• Published articles? Paper in college…

• Professional literature/article important to you.

• ***This would demonstrate your commitment to the field.