When going on a job interview you want to be able to sell yourself the best way that you can. Creating professional teaching portfolios is one way teachers can visually display their skills and experience for the principals and assistant principals who hire them. A professional teacher portfolio is a compilation of the teacher's credentials and teaching style. It should reflect a teacher's educational philosophy, career successes and personality. It should also make a professional and well-organized impression on potential employers.

Create a cover page that will go in the front cover of a 3-ring binder. This page only needs to have the title "Professional Teaching Portfolio" and your name on it. To keep it looking professional but give it a little personality, use decorative paper with a teaching theme.

Create a title page that includes your name, address, phone number and email. This should be typed on the same decorative paper as your cover sheet. Insert this title page in a page protector and place it in your binder.

Create a table of contents page and insert it behind the title page in the binder.

Create a section heading page that says "Biographical Information." This page should be printed on the same decorative paper as the cover and title page.

Talk to people who know you professionally and ask them to write letters of recommendation for you. Three letters of recommendation are typically needed. The principal or assistant principal of the school you are currently teaching at, a boss from another job, a partner teacher, a university supervisor from student teaching and your college professors are all good candidates for professional references. Also, create a reference list that includes your references' names, their relationships to you and their contact information.

Insert your resume, teaching certificate, transcripts, references list and letters of recommendation into page protectors and place them in "Biographical Information" section of your binder portfolio.

Create a section heading page that says "Education Philosophy" and insert it into a page protector in your binder. This page should be printed on the same decorative paper as your cover and title pages. Write a one-page description of your education philosophy. This page needs to be well-written, concise and well-thought-out. Place this page in the "Education Philosophy" section of your portfolio.

Create a section heading page that says "Classroom Management" and insert into a page protector and put into your binder. This page should be printed on your decorative paper. Type up your classroom management plan. Include the rules, consequences, and rewards you use to manage your classroom. You can also include an explanation that helps further describe your classroom management style. Insert your classroom management pages in the "Classroom Management" section of your portfolio.

Create a section heading page that says "Parent Contact" and insert this page into a page protector and place it in your binder. This page should be printed on your decorative paper. Type out an explanation of your parent contact style and include examples of productive encounters with parents. Gather examples of parent contact, including copies of letters you have sent home and newsletters. Insert the parent contact explanation and examples in the "Parent Contact" section of your portfolio.

Create a section heading page that says "Lesson Plans" and insert it into your binder. This page should be printed on the same decorative paper as the cover and title pages. Gather examples of lesson plans you have taught. These should cover a variety of subjects and activities. If you have pictures or other visual aids that illustrate the lessons, include them. Create a written explanation of the lesson plans. Be specific in explaining why the plans were successful and how they reflect your teaching philosophy. Insert your written explanation and lesson plans in the "Lesson Plan" section of your portfolio.

Create a section heading page that says "Goals" and insert it into your binder. This page should be printed on the same decorative paper as your cover and title pages. Type up your professional goals. Insert your goals page in the "Goals" section of your portfolio.