SUNY Cortland Professional Portfolio Showcase

          A few days ago I attended the SUNY Cortland Professional Portfolio Showcase to see how the top PE students' professional portfolios looked like.  Out of about 200 students, about 15 or so were selected to showcase their portfolios and their accomplishments.  In these portfolios, students showcase their skills, knowledge, and contributions to Physical Education.  I wanted to take a look because I will be handing in my finished portfolio in a year, and want to be one of those students standing showing off their portfolio.  I got a lot of great ideas from looking at these great portfolios and they were really nice to look at.  In everyone students' portfolio they must obtain a resume, a philosophy about teaching and coaching, explain and show how they have achieved elements of the six NASPE (National Assocation for Sport and Physical Education) standards, show certifications, and also portray their professional developments.  All of the portfolios that I saw were very impressive and made me only want to strive more to be not only one of those students next year, but also to have a better portfolio.  Portfolios are a great way to brag about yourself and showcase your skills and let's employers know what you bring to the table.  If the time and effort are put into them then it is going to pay off in the long run.  The difference between a great portfolio and an average portfolio can be the difference between getting a job or not, so it is important to put the time and effort in.  I also think that if you are not going to do your best, then you shouldn't do it at all, and that applies for this as well.  Overall, I think this is a great tradition and idea that SUNY Cortland does.  It is just another way that SUNY Cortland helps prepare students for the future and shows how they are one of the top PE programs in the country. (below are some pictures taken from SUNY Cortland Professional Portfolios)