Submitting a Mini-Portfolio
A mini-portfolio is a structured, condensed, presentation of evidence of quality, quantity, and breadth of educational contributions specific to a given category. The standard-setting examples published on the web for each category illustrate the preferred format of the mini-portfolio and define the overall amount of evidence needed to achieve the Fulbright & Jaworski Faculty Excellence Award for the category.
Your goal is to organize evidence of your accomplishments in a chosen category—using one or more standard-setting examples as a model—so that you can convince the reviewers that you have at least as much evidence as the example(s). This will require that you extract information from your CV, educational portfolio, or other documentation of your educational accomplishments.
At the beginning of your mini-portfolio, you will be asked to identify the standard-setting example(s) you used as a model and to briefly describe how the types of activities in the example(s) match or do not match your own experience.
When describing the quantity of your activities, use language consistent with the standard-setting example(s) you used as a model.
By the deadline for the chosen review cycle submit three complete copies (no originals) of the following items*
- A letter of transmittal which includes your Baylor ID number, complete name and degree(s), title, department, contact information including your Baylor inter-institutional mailing address and your email address. Previous recipients of the Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. Faculty Excellence Award in any category must include in the transmittal letter for their new mini-portfolio a statement confirming that none of the substantiating evidence of quantity and quality included in that mini-portfolio is the same evidence used in the mini-portfolio for any previously received award (i.e., begins after the time period included in an award in the same category or is different evidence if in the same time period for awards in different categories). Also include the name of your chair and his/her email address.
- A match to the standard-setting examples in which you determine which of the one or two prototypes in the category that you are applying for you are most like, what about the example is similar to you and what about the example is dissimilar to you (see the beginning of each template).
- A structured summary (not to exceed page limits for given category) of your accomplishments with evidence of their quality and breadth using the format illustrated by the standard-setting examples in your selected category. (For Enduring Educational Materials and Educational Research, also include additional pages containing "structured abstracts" as per instructions.)
- A personal statement (not to exceed two pages) about your goals as an educational scholar, your personal preparation, your process for improvement, ongoing self-reflection and personal development related to the award category for which you are submitting a mini-portfolio.
- For the categories of Educational Research and the Development of Enduring Educational Materials only include structured abstracts in the form appropriate to each category.
- Include a table of appendices which lists everything in each of your appendices.
- Copies of available supporting documentation (not to exceed 25 pages— or 13 pages front and back). Label and organize these documents so that primary and secondary reviewers can easily identify and refer to them. Summarize learner’s numeric ratings of your teaching into tables; do NOT include copies of individual evaluation forms. As desired, include short narrative descriptions of the documentation you include. Do not include actual copies of materials or "artifacts" (e.g., syllabi, video of lecture). We strongly recommend that you include a limited number of letters of support (One or two from learners, one or two from peers, and one or two from superiors. Maximum allowed is six (see "letters of support" on the FAQs page).
- A current copy of your Curriculum Vitae so that primary and secondary reviewers can refer to it for reference purposes during the review process. The CV must be in standard Baylor format.
We would prefer copies of the mini-portfolio to be front and back where possible and three-hole punched. Submit each copy in a separate large envelope (no binders).
Here are some tips to help you prepare your mini-portfolio:
- (See Common Mistakes in Preparing the Mini-Portfolio.)
- Consider your mini-portfolio like a resume: Your goal is to accurately and honestly present your accomplishments in the best light possible.
- Set up a portfolio system for keeping track by category of your educational accomplishments as they occur so that you can more easily organize your summary and prepare your supporting documents. (See Ideas about Maintaining a Portfolio.)
- Write your structured summary so that it portrays completely the quality, quantity, and breadth of your contributions in the given category. Only the primary and secondary reviewer will be given copies of supporting documentation.
- Ask peers for letters of critique or support that can can be sent directly to you to help you improve as well as recommend your teaching. (See letters of support" in the FAQs.)