Special Education Teacher Cover Letter Example + Expert Tips
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Special education teachers are compassionate and highly trained professionals who help students with physical, emotional or developmental needs thrive in a school environment. A strong special education teacher cover letter can help you highlight your exemplary interpersonal and behavior management skills when paired with a well-written resume.
This guide to writing an impressive cover letter for a special education teacher position will help you snag an interview and land your next role. Start by editing this special education teacher cover example, or explore our collection of more than 250 cover letter examples to find the best match for you.
Special education teacher cover letter (text version)
Caroline Dale
Philadelphia, PA 19111
(555) 555-5555
example@example.com
Sept. 22, 2023
Carl Wilson,
Belmont Charter Network
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: 555-555-5555
E-Mail: example@example.com
Dear Carl Wilson,
As an experienced elementary teacher, the advertisement for a special education teacher with Belmont Charter Network sparked my interest. When reviewing the position requirements and your organization’s website, I was excited to find that my qualifications and personal strengths align with your needs and mission.
In my previous roles, I provided exceptional support to diverse learners. My commitment to creating inclusive classrooms where every child can thrive has led to significant achievements. For example, one of my most significant accomplishments was initiating a targeted reading intervention program for 100 students in grades one through fifth.
Through data-driven instruction and progress monitoring, I helped 80% of the students achieve grade-level reading proficiency within a single school year, exceeding district benchmarks. Also, I developed and implemented individualized programs for 25 students, resulting in a 20% improvement in overall academic performance.
I am excited to contribute my talents and proficiency in behavior management and child development toward your team efforts. As an engaging communicator with a proven track record in group and individual instruction, my focus on building strong professional relationships with students, parents and faculty has been a beneficial asset throughout my career.
Please review my enclosed resume for a more in-depth illustration of my work history and accomplishments. I would appreciate the opportunity to interview at your earliest convenience. I’m eager to discuss how my experience fits the special education teacher role.
Thank you for your time and consideration of my candidacy.
Sincerely,
Caroline Dale
How to format a special education teacher cover letter
A cover letter is your chance to introduce yourself to a hiring manager. It allows you to expand on your resume skills, connect with the hiring manager and show them why you’re the one for the job.
Your cover letter should highlight your patience, resourcefulness and professional attitude. Special education teachers need to demonstrate expert communication skills in their cover letter to show that they are a great fit for the role.
Include specific examples of how you’ve effectively communicated with students, parents, teachers and school administrators in your prior roles. That’s a lot for one page, but we’re here to help! It all starts with the correct cover letter format.
Use the business format for your special education teacher cover letter
A cover letter is a business letter, so use the standard business letter format for a special education teacher cover letter.
Use 1 and ¼ inch margins on all sides, single space and left alignment on your one-page document.
As our special education teacher cover letter example shows, your cover letter must also include:
- A header with your name, city, state, ZIP code and telephone number.
- A greeting, like “Dear Alice Walters,” “Dear Hiring Manager,” or “Dear Special Education Teacher Department.”
- A simple closing, like “Best regards” or “Respectfully.”
Using a cover letter template is the best way to ensure your cover letter is formatted correctly and can pass most application tracking systems (ATS). Plug it into our Cover Letter Builder, and we’ll do the work for you. You’ll have a professional cover letter for a special education teacher job in minutes to pair with your resume.
Discussing relevant skills in your cover letter shows hiring managers that you are a great fit for the role. We’ll offer ready-made content ideas for your cover letter that target essential skills such as teaching, classroom management and knowledge of special education curriculum.
How to write a special education teacher cover letter
Start with a compelling introduction
Hiring managers spend only seconds scanning job applications, so you must immediately hook them with your special education teacher cover letter. Think of your cover letter introduction like an elevator pitch and be clear, concise and direct. Let them know why you’re interested in the job and why you’re the best person for the job.
Use accomplishments to explain why you’re a great fit for the role
The body of your special education teacher cover letter should paint an in-depth picture of your career while providing insight into your interests and values. In one or two paragraphs, show the potential employer what you can do. Use action verbs to describe your unique accomplishments and keywords from the job description to explain your hard skills and soft skills.
Close with an invitation
Like our sample cover letter for special education teachers, use the final paragraph to thank the hiring manager for their time and reiterate your interest in the job. Close by inviting them to contact you to learn more about your qualifications.
Pair your special education teacher cover letter with a matching resume
Special education teacher cover letter FAQ
1. How do you write a cover letter for a special education teacher position?
A cover letter for a special education teacher position should highlight relevant skills such as special education curriculum and Discovery Education familiarity.
Here are some things hiring managers or principals may be looking for in a special education teacher candidate:
- Patience: In order to find success in education, aspiring special education teachers must be patient with young learners.
- Resourcefulness: With reduced budgets and more teacher requirements, educators must show resourcefulness in their personality.
- Strong ability to communicate: Special education teachers must demonstrate strong communication skills when writing or speaking.
- Professional attitude: To show how serious a candidate is, he or she must maintain a professional attitude at all times.
2. Do I need a special education teacher cover letter?
Yes. A cover letter is an essential piece of a job application. While a resume provides a snapshot of your professional career, a cover letter fills in the blanks. Cover letters tell hiring managers who you are and why you want the job. More than that, they provide the opportunity to explain career gaps, recent moves to another geographic location or a career move.
Get prepared for the next steps by reviewing what to expect during an interview and practicing common behavioral interview questions.
3. How long should a cover letter be?
Your cover letter for a special education teacher job should be one-half to one-page long and one-half page minimum. Aim for about 250-500 words.
4. How do you write a cover letter for a special education teacher job application?
To make a good cover letter, use a standard business letter format, include your contact details and the potential employers’ contact information, address the hiring manager if possible, and explain how your job qualifications match the job. Be specific.
Do’s and don’ts for building a special education teacher cover letter
- Address the recruiter or hiring manager directly.
- Explain what attracted you to the company in one or two sentences.
- Customize your special education teacher cover letter for the job.
- Include keywords from the job description throughout.
- End with a clear call to action.
- Proofread your cover letter more than once.
- Write a generic special education teacher cover letter.
- Write more than one page.
- Use generic salutations, like “To Whom It May Concern.”
- Regurgitate your special education teacher resume.
- Rely on automatic grammar or spell-checkers.
- Write a fan letter, even if it is your dream job.
Resume examples for the next step in your special education career
How we reviewed this article
Since 2013, we have helped more than 15 million job seekers. We want to make your career journey accessible and manageable through our services and Career Center’s how-to guides and tips. In our commitment to bring you a transparent process, we present our Editorial Process.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Special Education Teachers
- Best College Reviews. What Does a Career in Special Education Look Like?
- Data USA. Special Education Teachers
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Special Education Teacher Cover Letter Example
Elizabeth is a content writer for My Perfect Resume. She is passionate about delivering information that empowers job seekers to achieve their professional goals.