Your Outschool profile is the first impression families have of you—and we all know how important first impressions can be. A strong, professional profile builds trust and helps families understand who you are as an educator and why you’re the perfect fit for their learners.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through crafting a standout profile, from writing an engaging bio to creating a polished profile video and choosing a professional yet approachable headshot. Plus, we’ll share examples of profiles that work and why they stand out.
Why Your Profile Matters
Your educator profile is like your storefront on Outschool. It’s where families:
- Learn about your expertise, teaching style, and personality.
- Decide if they can trust you to provide a meaningful learning experience for their child.
- Feel confident in choosing you as their child’s educator.
A complete, well-crafted profile—including a bio, headshot, and video—helps you stand out in the competitive marketplace and attract more learners.
Crafting an Engaging Bio
Your bio should highlight three key elements:
- Your Expertise: Share your qualifications, teaching background, and areas of specialization.
- Example: “With 10 years of experience teaching elementary school and a degree in Early Childhood Education, I specialize in helping young learners develop foundational reading and math skills.”
- Your Teaching Philosophy: Let families know what drives your teaching style.
- Example: “I believe that learning should be hands-on, engaging, and tailored to each child’s interests and strengths.”
- Your Personality: Show a bit of who you are! Families want to see the person behind the profile.
- Example: “When I’m not teaching, I love hiking with my dog Max and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.”
Tips for Writing Your Bio:
- Use conversational language to make it approachable.
- Focus on what makes you unique as an educator.
- Keep it concise—3-4 sentences is a great length.
Adding a Profile Video: Shortform Video for Maximum Impact
Including a video on your profile can dramatically increase family engagement and trust. It allows families to connect with you on a personal level before enrolling their learners in your class.
Why Video is Important:
- Shortform video content is incredibly popular and effective for making a lasting impression.
- A profile video increases families’ confidence in your teaching style and personality.
Best Practices for Your Profile Video:
- Keep it Short: Aim for 30-90 seconds. Families want a quick snapshot of who you are.
- Highlight Your Expertise: Share your qualifications, what you teach, and why you’re passionate about it.
- Show Your Personality: Smile, speak naturally, and let your passion for teaching shine through.
- End with a Strong Call to Action: Encourage families to enroll in your classes.
Technical Tips:
- Use a well-lit, quiet space with minimal background noise.
- Record in landscape mode with a clean, uncluttered background.
- Speak clearly and maintain eye contact with the camera.
- Edit lightly if needed, but keep it authentic.
Choosing the Perfect Headshot
Your profile photo is the first visual impression families will have of you. It should convey professionalism while also being warm and approachable.
Tips for a Great Headshot:
- Smile Naturally: A friendly, genuine smile builds trust.
- Lighting is Key: Use bright, even lighting to ensure your face is clearly visible.
- Simple Background: Choose a neutral or uncluttered background to keep the focus on you.
- Dress Professionally: Wear clothing that reflects the image you want to project as an educator.
What to Avoid:
- Blurry or low-quality photos.
- Distracting filters or heavy editing.
- Group photos or images with busy backgrounds.
Examples of Standout Profiles
Here are two profiles that capture attention:
Example 1:
- Bio: “Hi! I’m Sarah, a certified science teacher with a passion for making learning fun and engaging. With over 8 years of classroom experience, I specialize in hands-on experiments that spark curiosity. Outside of teaching, I love gardening and stargazing with my telescope!”
- Headshot: A bright, smiling photo with a clean white background and professional attire.
- Video: A 60-second introduction recorded in a well-lit space, showing Sarah enthusiastically describing her hands-on approach to teaching science.
Example 2:
- Bio: “Hello, I’m Michael! I’ve taught middle school math for 12 years and love helping learners build confidence in problem-solving. My classes focus on creating a positive environment where students feel empowered to tackle challenges. When I’m not teaching, I’m usually at the beach with my family or playing chess.”
- Headshot: A polished outdoor photo in natural light, with Michael wearing a button-down shirt.
- Video: Michael speaking confidently about how he helps learners master challenging math concepts while showing visual examples of his class materials.
It’s time to craft your profile and let families know why you’re the perfect educator for their learners!
- Step 1: Write your bio using our tips above.
- Step 2: Upload a polished headshot that shows your personality and professionalism.
- Step 3: Create a short, engaging profile video to showcase your teaching style.
