| The secret is out! You are a great director or | | | | It is important to note that a portfolio is a highly |
| teacher! You have shown that by taking an | | | | personalized product; no two are alike. Both |
| interest in documenting your work. However, | | | | content and organization will differ widely based |
| sometimes it is difficult to communicate your | | | | on the intended use, individual preferences, and |
| special talents and teaching abilities to others. By | | | | style of the director or teacher developing it. |
| designing a portfolio, you can more easily and | | | | A well-designed and developed portfolio ensures |
| concretely illustrate to others your teaching | | | | the strongest possible evidence of |
| experiences, educational background, and | | | | accomplishment for any director or teacher. |
| strengths. | | | | Portfolios capture professional growth over time |
| Center directors often use a portfolio as a | | | | so that you become an informed assessor of |
| resource in assessing the knowledge, skills, and | | | | your own practice. |
| performance of current and future directors or | | | | Enjoy developing your portfolio and make it a |
| teachers. | | | | dynamic tool that grows as you expand and |
| First, let's define what a portfolio really is. A | | | | develop your knowledge and skills in working with |
| portfolio is a collection of work and materials | | | | young children. Remember, your portfolio is an |
| assembled in an approved format to demonstrate | | | | opportunity to show others your special abilities as |
| and document knowledge and skills. | | | | an early childhood professional! |
| A portfolio is proof of your expertise and can | | | | Join the CCEI Discussion Thread and share your |
| encompass knowledge and skills gained from a | | | | strategies for creating your professional |
| wide variety of sources. Some of these sources | | | | portfolio. What have you included in your |
| include: jobs, independent reading and study, | | | | Professional Portfolio to document your early |
| training or in-service programs, hobbies, | | | | childhood knowledge, skills, performance and |
| community or religious activities, military service, | | | | education? How has your portfolio helped to |
| and organization memberships. | | | | advance your career? |
| Portfolios are often reviewed for renewal of a | | | | Learn more about creating a professional |
| license or a credential. They are sometimes | | | | portfolio. Visit ChildCare Education Institute to |
| requested for verification and documentation in | | | | discover over 100 online child care training courses |
| certification programs, or used to assess a | | | | that meet the continuing education requirements |
| candidate for academic credit, admissions, awards | | | | of the child care industry. Register for a sample |
| or scholarships. | | | | course and try online learning today! |