Hey there!
If you've landed here, you probably have questions! This is the New Untenured Teachers Q & A page. This is created by me, as the President of the Frontier Central Teachers' Association and author of Everything New Teachers Need to Know But Are Afraid to Ask. It is a result of a grant from the American Federation of Teachers to engage and support you! Below you will find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions, along with some other resources.
Portfolios are required for New Untenured Teachers. You should use Danielson's Domains to organize it into sections. Your portfolio can be digital, utilizing platforms like Canva, Wakelet, or simply creating a Goggle Slideshow. You can even make an old school scrapbook.
Domain One
Domain One is Planning and Preparation. It should showcase your knowledge of content and pedagogy, knowledge of students and the resources to best teach them. You'll need to highlight the ways that you set instructional outcomes and how you design the instruction and assessments. Here are some ideas for this section. Don't worry--you don't need to include all of this, and there are lots of other things you can include.
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Share any certificates or professional development that you are really proud of. I put my National Board Certification in mine.
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Demonstrate your knowledge of your students. Include surveys that you might use, ways that you gauge their interests, and your data collection system.
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​Include assessments that you are proud of, particularly if you can show formative and summative data as well.
Domain Two
Domain Two is Classroom Environment. This section should include the ways you create a learning community of respect and rapport, as well as highlight what you do to establish high expectations and a culture for learning.
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Photos of the physical space for learning
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Behavior management systems
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Examples of ways that you connect with students
Domain Three
Domain Three is Instruction. This section should focus on the ways you communicate with students and how you engage them in their learning. This is also a good place to show how you use assessment as a part of your instruction. Domain Two is the "meat and potatoes" of what you do in your classroom.
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Showcase how you are responsive and flexible to the needs of your students. If you have utilized information about their culture or backgrounds in your classroom, include that.
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Examples of student favorites (activities that never fail, your highly engaging activities, etc).
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You could include a video of your classroom (as long as you have parent permission)
Domain Four
Domain Four is Professional Responsibilities. This is the section that looks at the ways that you contribute to your learning community within your school and beyond. It can include examples of your professional development, examples of communication with families, and potentially any awards or recognition that you might have, including leadership within your school or community.
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You can include examples of communication--to families, to your colleagues, or the profession in general.
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If you keep a log or communication journal, you can highlight that.
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Journals or reflections on lessons is a great way to demonstrate professionalism.
Your Portfolio Meeting (sometimes called Tenure Meeting) is NOT what it sounds like! It is an opportunity to showcase your teaching experience and to meet with key administrators who will in turn make a recommendation to the Board of Education to grant you tenure (or not). It is important to note that if you are in danger of not getting tenure, you will not be finding out at this meeting. You will have already had evaluations from your observations, meetings with administrators, and/or conversations with your mentor. Consider this meeting your 10 minutes of fame, as you have some very important peoples' attention. The time and location are determined by the district, and it is typically around 6 months before your tenure date.
Professional development is really important on a few fronts. First, you will need to take TWO classes prior to getting tenure. One of them must be EITHER of the 21st Century Classes offered through Southtowns Teachers Center. You may then choose another class from STC that is related to your teaching assignment. I teach a class called Danielson's Domains which is highly recommended by the district, as you should be familiar with the tool that is used to assess your teaching during your observations.
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The second reason that professional development is important is that you are required to have 100 Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) hours every five years to renew your professional certificate. The NYSED website explains how to track your hours here.
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Finally, the district pays $476.00 per 15 hour block (most classes at STC are 15 hours). You are allowed to submit three blocks of hours. The submission is twice a year: October 15th or May 15th. The October 15th submission is paid in the last paycheck of November and the May 15th is paid in the last paycheck of the year.
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After the 21st Century Class, you may take your other hours through NYSUT's ELT, ShareMyLesson, or other online professional development. You'll need proof of the courses, and must submit in 15 hour blocks in order to be paid.