7 Why Narrative?
Narrative is a way to blend your teaching experiences, achievements, and beliefs into a cohesive and compelling story. By investing time and effort into crafting a compelling narrative, you can elevate your portfolio from a mere collection of documents to a powerful tool for professional advancement and growth. Benefits of narrative for both you and your portfolio’s reviewers are articulated in the table below.
| Benefits for the Author | Benefits for the Reviewer(s) |
|---|---|
| Narrative is a writing strategy to construct a personal argument (with a range of evidence) about your teaching. | Reading a personalized narrative is more engaging than a list of accomplishments or records alone. |
| Narrative can weave together anecdotes, reflections, and insights with evaluations and numbers. | Narrative facilitates comprehensive understanding of your teaching journey, such as motivations, challenges, and successes. |
| Narrative enhances your teaching practice by fostering self-awareness and reflection. | Narrative communicates your experiences, challenges, and growth areas that make your teaching unique. |
Consider narrative as the cohesive backbone to your teaching portfolio. Each narrative element serves a specific purpose and contributes to strengthening your overall story. Importantly, these components should align, creating a comprehensive, persuasive, and insightful overview of your teaching for a range of audiences (committees, colleagues, and other readers).