You’ve done a lot of work this semester, and of course I’ve been reading and responding as the semester has progressed, but now is the time to compile all of it into a manageable form.

The introduction to the portfolio serves several purposes: 

• First, it should serve the rhetorical purpose of telling me how I should read this work.  You as the writer of this work have every right to expect me to read it in a certain way, and your directions will be most helpful in letting me know how. 

• Next, it highlights information (just as your cover letter highlights information on your resume) you want me to pay particular attention to.  Maybe you feel particularly proud of your teaching philosophy.  Maybe you think your lesson plan kicks.  You’ll want to direct my attention to that in the introduction. 

• In addition, you can reflect on and contextualize your work.  You can make a statement about the improvement of your work this semester or how what you’ve put in the portfolio reflects the theories and principles we’ve been reading about all semester. 

• Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you might include a statement that explains how this course will influence your future teaching. You will be asked to do so during screening in your junior year. If you are unable to talk quite specifically about what you learned in your pedagogy courses about teaching, chances are you will not pass screening.  This introduction provides you with a chance to practice articulating your ideas about this particular class.