Teaching Materials for the Academic Job Search

Job Ad Jargon

• Statement of Teaching Philosophy, Statement of Teaching Interests, Teaching Statement

• Evidence of Teaching Effectiveness, Teaching Portfolio

Resources

• Delta Program at UW-Madison– http://delta.wisc.edu– Especially see Events>Workshops>workshop

materials for each workshop• Coppola, B. (2002). Journal of College Science

Teaching, 31 (7), 448-453.

Statement of Teaching Philosophy

• What is it? What questions should I address?• What does it look like?• How do I write it?

What is it? What questions do I address?

• A statement of your views on teaching and learning addressing:

How does learning happen?What are your goals for your students?How do you teach? Describe your classroom.How do you assess student learning?Show reflection/growth of your teachingExamples are a key part of the statement!

What does it look like?

• 1-2 pages long• Title/name• Quote if desired (optional)• Thesis statement• Narrative (focus on a few key points that you are

sincere about with examples)• Teaching at X University (address job ad courses)• Summary/Reflection

How do I write it?

• Reflect on your experiences as a teacher AND as a student

• Reflect on your favorite teachers in the past, what did you like about them?

• Read teaching statements (see Delta website)• Share, get comments, and REVISE!• Personal with examples is better than theoretical• Know your audience• Don’t disparage other methods of teaching!

Teaching Portfolios

• What is it?• Why should I prepare it?• What does it look like?• How do I get started?• What is an “artifact” or “evidence of

effectiveness?”

What is it?

• A collection of documents reflecting your views and experiences in teaching and learning

• Contains reflective statements and evidence/artifacts

• Designed with a purpose/target

Why should you prepare it?

• Some jobs require it for application – mostly teaching heavy positions

• Pre-tenure, tenure, and post-tenure review processes

• Helps you improve your teaching

What does it look like?

• Packet of materials that may include some or all of these documents:– (Philosophy of education – what is learning?)– Statement of teaching philosophy– (Outline of learning goals)– (Relation of your goals to your teaching style)– Documentation and analysis of student learning

and teaching effectiveness

How do I get started?

• Start by writing your teaching philosophy – this portfolio should be a way to further support that document

• Consider what qualities and skills you will highlight: – Intellectual skills (teaching approaches, innovation &

research, knowledge base)– Motivational skills (what experiences reflect your

motivation & how do you motivate students)– Interpersonal skills (how do you relate to your students)

Evidence & Artifacts

• Evidence of students’ learning – copies of student work (with permission), syntheses of learning outcomes data

• Documentation of professional development – workshops, observation of your teaching, course development, student feedback

• Student evaluations – keep copies, write a summary, include student comments

• Best items include: products of good teaching, materials developed, and assessment by others

Assembling the Portfolio

• Each artifact/evidence should have an accompanying reflective statement explaining it and how it reflects your teaching

• Make it pretty – consistent formatting, spend time on graphics

• Can be digital or hard copy - consider a website as an option

Example Portfolios

http://delta.wisc.edu/Certificate/certificate_recipients.html