How to Create a Teacher Portfolio (When You’ve Been Teaching for a While)

I still remember the first time I had to pull together a teacher portfolio. I was 5 years into teaching, and I thought, Do I even need one of these anymore?  

Turns out — yes.  

Whether you’re applying for a new role, aiming for a leadership position, or just want to reflect on how far you’ve come, a professional teaching portfolio is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your back pocket. 

Here’s how I approached building mine after a few years in the classroom — and how you can, too. 

First, Let’s Talk: Why Have a Portfolio at This Stage?

You’re not a new teacher. You’ve got experience, stories, and data to back up your strengths. A portfolio lets you show — not just tell — what kind of educator you are. It’s your chance to curate the highlights of your teaching journey, with evidence to support your impact. 

Think of it as a living resume meets scrapbook meets professional brag book. 

(And yes, it’s okay to brag about your teaching success! In fact, you SHOULD be doing it! Let everyone see how well you’re doing and who you are as a teacher.) 

What to Include in Your Experienced Teacher Portfolio 

Here’s a breakdown of what I included in mine (and what I recommend to others):

1. Professional Profile or Teaching Philosophy 

Even after a few years, this is still important — and it should evolve as you do. Write a one-page summary of who you are as an educator. How has your philosophy changed since year one? What have you learned about teaching, student engagement, classroom culture? 

Here’s an example I pulled together just now to illustrate what this could look like: “I believe all students can thrive when they feel seen, heard, and supported. Over the past five years, I’ve focused on trauma-informed practices and student-led learning and have seen marked growth in student engagement and achievement.” 

2. Updated Resume or CV 

Include an updated resume that reflects your roles, certifications, leadership positions, and professional development. Don’t forget to highlight things like mentoring new teachers, serving on committees, or leading PD sessions — these are leadership signals! 

3. Classroom Artifacts and Evidence of Practice 

This is where the magic happens. Include items that reflect what you’ve done in the classroom. Some ideas: 

• Lesson plans (bonus if they’re differentiated or standards-based) 
• Student work samples (with names removed) 
• Photos of your classroom setup, bulletin boards, anchor charts 
• A unit plan or project-based learning activity you designed 

You can take it a step further by including a little blurb with each artifact explaining the “why” behind it. (This helps others see your thought process behind each!) 

4. Student Data & Growth Examples 

This part can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be overly complex. The goal is simply to show how your students have grown under your instruction. Some things you might include: 

• Before/after data (e.g., reading levels, assessment scores) 
• Growth charts (a simple bar graph works!) 
• Reflections on how you adapted your instruction

Here’s an example of what this could look like: “After implementing small-group guided reading in my 4th-grade class, 85% of students moved up at least one level over a 10-week cycle.” 

5. Professional Development & Certifications 

Include certificates from workshops, PD sessions, or conferences — especially if they’re related to school priorities (SEL, edtech, DEI, etc.). 

If you’ve led any sessions for colleagues, highlight that here too.  

6. Letters of Recommendation or Testimonials 

You don’t need a whole stack, but one or two strong letters from a principal, mentor, or parent can really add value. Even short testimonials from students (yes, really!) or families can showcase your impact. 

7. Leadership & Contributions Beyond the Classroom

If you’ve chaired a committee, coached a sport, led a student club, mentored a teacher, or contributed to school-wide initiatives, include it! These experiences show that you’re a leader and a collaborator. 

A quick example: “As a member of the PBIS team, I helped design a schoolwide recognition system that reduced referrals by 30%.” 

Now Let’s Talk Format: Paper, Digital, or Both? 

When I first made my portfolio, it was all printed and tucked into a sleek binder. I can recall gathering items and artifacts of my teaching accomplishments through student success stories, personal achievements, and other items that allowed this binder to accrue depth and highlights of my teaching career. These days, I recommend having both a physical copy and a digital version. Google Sites, Canva, and even Google Slides make great platforms for digital portfolios. They’re especially useful if you’re applying to districts or roles online. 

A Few Final Tips to Make Your Teaching Portfolio Shine

• Keep it focused. You don’t need to include everything — just the best examples that tell your story. 
• Make it visual. Use photos, student work, charts — whatever brings your work to life. 
• Update it regularly. I used to set a calendar reminder to review my portfolio once a semester, allowing me to stay routine and up to date with these items. One of the best times of the year that I recommend (since it is most likely already routinely on your calendars) is during students’ benchmark progress and assessment check in periods throughout the year.  

One More Thing 

At Moreland University, we support teachers at every stage of their career — from earning their teaching license to advancing their learning with an M.Ed. and everything in between. And we do this around the world, 100% online.  

So, check out our resources page for more great teaching resources. And if you want to take the next step in your career with confidence, explore Moreland’s programs or request more information.