I recently applied for a first grade position in a neighboring district.  The employment in that district is highly competitive.  I fortunately landed an interview at a school there and knew I needed something to take with me to showcase my talents and passion for teaching.  I had read that teaching portfolios had helped many others in this situation.  I have always kept a portfolio each year to meet our state's professionalism rubric, but I needed something a little more tailored to the needs of an interview.  I decided to create my own that highlighted some important areas of teaching and that would serve as evidence to questions asked during the interview.   Since I was going after a primary grade teaching position, I wanted the colors to be bright and colorful.  I think it's also important to put your contact information on the cover, as well as your picture.  They might want to keep your portfolio to look over while making their decision.  Your picture will help...
This was my first year in kindergarten.  I have to admit I was very hesitant about making the transition from second grade to k.  I always said that I could never do it.  It helped that I was in a team teaching position year, but I still had my reservations even once the school year started.  It was so different.  They were so little.  I just wanted to go back to second grade where I was comfortable.  Fast forward to October---I had fallen in love with kindergarten!  It was where I knew I needed to be.  I was a kindergarten teacher.  As the year went on, I grew even more attached to the grade level and especially to the students.  A few weeks before school was out, however, I accepted a new first grade position in a different district.  I am so excited about this new opportunity, but I am really sad to let my kindergarteners go.  I have become more attached to this group than any other group, so I wanted to make that last week with them special. My teaching partner and I rot...