Storing My Growth in an ePortfolio

As a teacher and lifelong learner, it is my belief that growth should be visible (or audible in the case of musicians) not just to ourselves, but to our students, as well. This is one of the reasons that creating an ePortfolio has become such a meaningful tool. It’s more than a collection of assignments; it’s a reflection of who I am, what I believe, and how I continue to evolve. Through this ePortfolio I can document my progress, share important resources, and connect my learning philosophy- based on accessibility, empowerment, and equality- with real world practice. In this post I will explore why an ePortfolio matters to me and how it impacts my career and the world of education. 

Maintaining an ePortfolio encourages my reflection on what I have learned, why it matters, and how it applies to my classroom. An ePortfolio allows creators to become “effective architects, narrators, curators, and inhabitants of their own digital lives.” (Harapnuik, 2023) As I add to the ePortfolio, I can see my growth in a visual timeline, I can see challenges I have completed, and I can also see how my thinking has evolved. Seeing my growth and accomplishments has also led to an increase in self-confidence. This helps me articulate my strengths, which is something I struggle with and that I am actively working on. Finally, knowing that my work is going to be publicly motivates me to create high-quality work. When you are a child and you get A’s on an assignment or you draw a picture, you get your work hung on the refrigerator. This ePortfolio is my version of an online refrigerator. I post work that makes me proud!

I come from a long line of teachers- my great grandmother was a teacher, and my grandmother and grandfather were teachers, too. Here I am with my grandfather as he reads to me. He is part of the inspiration for my journey in the ADL program!

One benefit that my ePortfolio has for others in education is sharing resources.The band world does not have a website like this, so I’m excited to be the first! I plan to offer lesson plans and technology integration ideas on my ePortfolio.This can help me build and control my professional identity, showcase my abilities in a dynamic way, and demonstrate a deeper learning journey. (Watters, 2015) Additionally, my ePortfolio reflects my belief that learning should be equitable and accessible to all. I hope to empower other educators to adapt new strategies in their own classrooms and contribute to a more inclusive educational space. The opportunity to learn should be given to ALL students, not just the top performers! This ePortfolio will showcase how I reach out to all learners, no matter their ability level, and showcase the success the students have achieved. Furthermore, another benefit of the ePortfolio is the opportunity for professional networking. I’m a very introverted person, so this has the ability to help administrators, colleagues, and peers understand my approach or potentially even collaborate with me.! I am also hopeful that this ePortfolio will provide inspiration for other educators and help to create new relationships!

I believe in accessibility, empowerment, and equality for ALL students!

An ePortfolio offers a lot of benefits for myself. It allows for personal branding. As I build my professional brand, this ePortfolio will be a helpful tool when I start exploring opportunities in instructional design, curriculum development, educational technology, and leadership. Instead of submitting a resume, I am excited to be able to present a collection of my work that allows companies to see who I am, what I believe, and what I do. My next big life goal is to go on to get my doctorate. Having a well-organized portfolio streamlines that process for earning additional academic opportunities. Future employers and teachers can see how I learn and how I apply that learning. (Freethink, 2016). I also plan to use this as an archive for my career- documenting my learning philosophy, research, instructional strategies, and innovations along the way. 

Assembling this ePortfolio has really helped me reflect on who I am- not just as a student in the ADL program, but as a musician and teacher, as well. It’s more than just a digital binder of assignments, it is where I can share my journey, showcase my successes, reflect on lessons that didn’t go well, and connect my passion for music education with my passion for instructional design and educational technology. As I grow my professional brand, I am hopeful that this ePortfolio will help me stand out while I am exploring new opportunities- whether that’s designing curriculum, leading professional development, or bringing innovation into the band hall. Most of all, it keeps me grounded in what matters most: making learning more empowering, accessible, and meaningful for every student. 

Resources:

Freethink. (2016, December 19). What will schools look like in the future? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZlgYiXzu58

Harapnuik, D. (2023, September). It’s about learning: Who owns the ePortfolio. It’s About Learning. https://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6050

Watters, A. (2015, July 15). The web we need to give students. BRIGHT Magazine. https://brightthemag.com/the-web-we-need-to-give-students-311d97713713