1. Documenting your Accomplishments Dr. Beth Brunk-Chavez Electronic Teaching Portfolio October 7, 2009

2. © The University of Texas at El Paso What it is A picture of who you are as an instructor Classroom, mentoring, related research, workshops, and so on Self-promotion A significant part of who you are as a university citizen

3. © The University of Texas at El Paso Why is it so important? Sell yourself as a good instructor, hard worker, reliable, someone who cares about teaching Distinguish yourself from other applicants

4. © The University of Texas at El Paso What it tells committees How good a fit you are How committed you are How good of a writer you are What you have accomplished What you hope to do and become

5. © The University of Texas at El Paso What not to do DON’T Be too personal Write about inappropriate topics Be too modest Or, be too braggy Use clichés Dwell on weaknesses

6. © The University of Texas at El Paso What to do Use detail Address weaknesses Focus on the opening paragraph Be interesting and personable Tell a story/create a theme Write concisely and correctly Follow guidelines. If it asks for 2 pages, don’t send 3.

7. © The University of Texas at El Paso Getting started Read instructions carefully—schools may ask for different things: Personal statement Statement of interest Research agenda Teaching philosophy

8. © The University of Texas at El Paso Getting started Do research On the discipline On the program On the faculty On the current students On the graduated students

9. © The University of Texas at El Paso Use a writing process Brainstorm, invent, draw maps, free write, draw pictures Draft quickly Revise Have someone read it Revise more Revise again Edit Have someone read it

10. © The University of Texas at El Paso Language Choices Use “I”—but don’t overuse it Use active voice/present tense Not too casual, not too formal

11. © The University of Texas at El Paso Nice touches Mention several faculty by name Mention something about what current students are working on or publications of former students