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  Too much of a good thing, is not a good thing!  Avoid text that is too lengthy and multiple photographs of the same activity.  Say the most you can with as little as possible.  Focus on highlights instead of tedious detail.  Keep the audience wanting more, not overwhelmed.

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  Purchase the highest quality materials you can reasonably afford.  You have spent thousands of dollars on your education, be sure the packaging of your portfolio suggests a discriminating taste.  The aesthetic value of your portfolio is a reflection of pride in what you do, shows respect for the education profession, and suggests a degree of perfectionism on your part.

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  If any artifact included in the portfolio (i.e., student work samples) is larger than 8 1/2 x 11, don't use it.  Ragged edges scream "tacky".  If the sample is so wonderful that it must be included, take it to Kinko's, MailBoxes, Etc., or a similar copy center, and have a color copy made, then reduced to 8 1/2 x 11 so that it fits neatly in a plastic sleeve.

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  All pictures that are worthy of entry, are worthy of a label.  The label should be computer generated, tell an approximate date, location, and brief description of what is taking place in the photograph.  Be able to defend each photo entry in your portfolio.  Any photo in your portfolio should show specific insight into some aspect of your teaching or experience.  The mere ability to take a picture and have it developed will not impress too many employers.

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  You may not be able to judge a book by its cover, but the cover of a portfolio is the first impression your audience gets.  It should be a true reflection of you.  If you are very conservative by nature, you will probably be comfortable with a basic white, gray, or maybe a marble swirl paper.  Typically, black print is the most formal. Use an easy to read font.  If you consider yourself to be creative and a bit of a risk-taker, experiment with color, texture, line, font styles, and dimension to find something that is visually appealing to you.  Develop several front covers and get opinions of others in our profession.  The front cover is the place to introduce the "theme" that will transcend the entire portfolio.

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  All type should be computer generated.  No handwritten labels, dividers, or tabs.  Be careful to not use too many drastically different fonts throughout.  All title pages/dividers should be done on with the same font.

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  Check out laser and inkjet "fun" papers from Quill Corporation. Website: http://www.quillcorp.com   Ask for a catalog at 1-800-789-8965.  These papers are pre-printed in bold colors that have school/education symbols.

11/02/04 02:02:49 PM

© 1999, Pam Petty.  All Rights Reserved.