Initially, the idea of thinking of, locating, and reflecting on, items to be included in a portfolio was unnerving.  I wasn't sure what to include, and didn't understand the process of making a portfolio, or the purpose of developing one.  However, as I began to seriously reflect on things that I have done over the past several years, I soon found that I was trying to decide what to exclude from my portfolio.  I feel that the items which I have included demonstrate my growth, from a fairly naive university student to an individual who is eagerly anticipating the experiences he will have in his career as a science teacher.  This journey has involved taking risks and making sacrifices; it has involved the acquisition of new skills, and considerable investments of time and energy; finally, it has involved changing my ways of thinking.  Overall, however, it has been a worthwhile process; but one which could never be described solely by a series of pages in a binder; nor by a collection of pages on the internet.  That being said, I am going to try to include as much as possible of my professional development in this virtual portfolio.  I hope that you find it enjoyable.

Tim Allison