The portfolio experience for my Spanish education program was a highly educational experience. The experience honed my creation and organisation skills, since I had to design the best artefacts and to be included in the portfolio. Since each of my creations is dear to me, I had the tough task of sorting the material according to its relevance and appropriateness to reflect my professional growth and creativity. The artefacts and material in the portfolio also establish my future professional development goals. Creating the portfolio was not a onetime process, bit a necessitated constant development and revision – mirroring my growth as an educator, who must constantly develop and adapt to finer teaching. This process has taught me an invaluable lesson of constant reflection of my learning and teaching skills in the classroom. The portfolio truly mirrors my potential and strengths as a teacher.
I accomplished and mastered several practices through the program. Some of these practices include human development and learning; the different learning environments; knowledge of the Spanish language –literature and language; role of the teacher; technological tools in teaching; communication and planning in the classroom. Other important skills and practices I mastered through the program are critical thinking skills, continuous improvement, and the role of diversity and ethics in the teaching profession. Since the curriculum for the Spanish program was extensive and diverse, the portfolio demonstrates my efficiency in all competencies and presents a clear picture of my accomplished practices.
Creating the portfolio was a learning experience by itself. The process was a comprehensive one and necessitated me to employ and emphasize my professional development as a teacher through the course. For the portfolio, I had to select multiple sources from authentic back grounds – this honed my decision making skills and enabled me to establish my future goals in my profession as a teacher. Apart from polishing my presentation abilities, designing the portfolio has contributed tremendously to the different processes of learning and understanding in the teaching domain. I am now better able to make informed decisions in my assessments while keeping in mind my learning activities.
The process of reflection in the completion of the portfolio has enabled me to direct my energy and questions to my inner self, a process which allows for optimal growth and progress, personally and professionally. There was some challenging in presenting the ideas in the most appropriate manner, but with constant practice and perseverance, I managed to accomplish this task. The portfolio was a thrilling task and it was not a challenge to create it; rather a process of learning through constant improvement. The portfolio reflects my best works and displays my capability and potential of an excellent teacher of Spanish.
The task of reflection in finishing the portfolio was the most satisfying experience of all. It brought about a sense of completion to the program and gave a sense of direction to the portfolio. Without the reflection, the portfolio is simply a collection of artefacts, meaningless and directionless. The one most significant lesson I have gained from the program and the process of designing the portfolio is the importance of being organized from the beginning and accomplishing all tasks in a timely manner – It relates to my personal and professional philosophy of “Well begun is half done”.