Signed up and going to the Apple Education Summer Institute here in Hawaii. There is so much knowledge out there to learn but how do you prove what you know? A teacher may have full knowledge of Final Cut Pro, great lessons, and high quality student work, but in today's world, you have to advertise and prove your ability or you may be deemed incompetent and get replaced in today's teacher cutback days. It is also important to prove to parents your skills.
Here are three ares teachers should focus on proving:
Software
If you teach social studies, you have to get certified in that content area. If you are teaching Final Cut Pro, the teacher should demonstrate competencies through an educational certificate or even better, software certification (e.g. Apple Pro Cert Program). There are many programs that offer night classes to pick up these certifications to help you pass the tests for each software. Although, I remember paying about $600 to take the four tests for the Office certification.
Teach
So you proved you have the knowledge but how do you prove you can apply it and teach effectivily and creatively using the appropriate tools and software available? Apple offers the Apple Distinguished Educators award. Basically you create a two minute video demonstrating how you teach effectivly using Apple's software and technology. This award is prestigious because out of the thousands of applicants, only 50 are selected (an average of one per state).
Show
So far you proved that you have the knowledge, can teach, but you need to prove that the students are getting it. Teachers should get their lesson plans, projects, and classwork out on the web...especially student portfolios. In the past three schools I have taught at, all in different countries, it was rare to see the principal roaming the halls where my computer lab class was located and he never asked to see the projects I was doing. Principals are busy so I don't hold it against them, although, if I simply e-mailed him a link of my class website, he could RSS to keep in the loop.
So go out there and market youself as a teacher as well as your students' work. It is a win win for everyone since it brings out a sense of accomplishment.