Teacher Cover Letter Examples & Templates
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Teachers play a vital role in educating and shaping future generations. They work in a variety of settings, including public and private schools, colleges and universities and community organizations. Teachers have strong communication skills, patience and a passion for education. While the job can be challenging, teaching can be a rewarding career that makes a difference in the lives of students and communities.
When paired with a well-written resume, a strong teacher cover letter can help you highlight your exemplary behavioral management and interpersonal skills. With our example teacher cover letters and comprehensive guide to writing a cover letter, we’ll help you land an interview and secure your next role.
Teacher cover letter (text version)
Jennie Williams
Newark, NJ 07101
(555) 555-555
example@example.com
Jan. 02, 2024
Caroline Vance,
Newark Public Schools
Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: (555) 555-5555
E-Mail: example@example.com
Dear Caroline Vance,
Upon learning about the teacher posting with Newark Public Schools, I was eager to contact you with my interest. When reviewing the job description, I was excited to see how well my experience aligns with your school’s needs and position requirements. From reading your website, I feel your core mission and culture suit what I offer as a professional.
As an adept elementary teacher, I have a well-rounded skill set in group and individual instruction and honed talents in lesson planning and classroom management, making me an ideal fit for the teacher position. Further, I am a recognized expert in communication and team collaboration.
In my previous role, I had the opportunity to develop and execute an innovative project-based learning curriculum that received recognition at a regional education conference, showcasing student work and achievements. This initiative not only boosted student creativity but also contributed to a 25% increase in positive feedback from parents.
During my tenure, I served as the coordinator for the Elementary English Olympiad, guiding students to multiple victories at the district level. Also, I collaborated in a successful after-school tutoring program targeting 100 struggling students, leading to a 30% improvement in their academic performance. This program received a commendation from the school administration for its positive impact on student achievement.
I am excited at the prospect of bringing my talents to Newark Public Schools. I look forward to hearing from you, at your earliest convenience, to discuss how my experience and qualifications will prove valuable in the teacher role.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Jennie Williams
How to format a teacher cover letter
A cover letter is your chance to introduce yourself to the 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 passion for education.
Teachers use their knowledge and creativity to design lesson plans, engage students and assess learning outcomes. An effective teacher cover letter will include measurable achievements that exemplify 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 using the correct cover letter format. Start by editing these cover letter examples for teachers or explore our collection of 200+ cover letter examples to find the best match for you.
Use the business format for your teacher cover letter
A cover letter is a business letter, so use the standard business letter format. Take a look at our example cover letters for teachers to get started.
Use 1-inch margins on all sides, single space and left alignment on your one-page document. The length of your cover letter should not exceed one page.
As our example cover letters for teaching positions show, your cover letter must also include:
- A header with your name, city, state, ZIP code and telephone number.
- A greeting like “Dear Alice Walters” or “Dear Hiring Manager.”
- 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. We’ll offer ready-made content ideas for your cover letter that target essential skills such as organization, classroom management and curriculum planning. In minutes, you’ll have a professional cover letter for a teaching job to pair with your resume.
How to write a teacher cover letter
Start with a compelling introduction
Hiring managers spend only seconds scanning job applications, so you must immediately hook them with your teacher cover letter. Think of your cover letter introduction like an elevator pitch and be clear, concise and direct.
Begin by explaining why you’re writing and which position you’re applying for. Express your interest in the position and why you are excited about the opportunity to work at the school or organization.
This can be a great place to showcase your passion for teaching and your commitment to student success. Highlight your relevant qualifications and experience that make you a strong candidate for the position.
This may include your education, certifications, teaching experience and any other relevant skills or achievements that you want to mention right away.
Use accomplishments to explain why you’re a great fit for the role
The body of your 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. Highlight the teacher skills and qualifications that make you a strong candidate for the position, such as experience with curriculum development, classroom management or technology integration.
Explain your teaching philosophy and how it aligns with the mission and values of the school or organization. Provide details about your teaching experience, including the grades and subjects you have taught, any special projects or initiatives you have led, and any successes or challenges you have faced.
Close with an invitation
Just like our cover letter examples for teaching jobs, 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 teaching qualifications.
Pair your teacher cover letter with a matching resume
FAQ
How do you write a cover letter for a teacher position?
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.
A cover letter for a teacher position should highlight relevant skills such as lesson planning and classroom management. Here are some things hiring managers or principals may be looking for in a teacher candidate:
- Patience: In order to find success in education, aspiring 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: 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.
Do I need a 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.
Additionally, cover letters provide the opportunity to explain career gaps, recent moves to another geographic location or a career move. You can use an AI cover letter generator like MyPerfectResume to create a polished and compelling teacher cover letter in a matter of minutes.
Remember to tailor your cover letter to the specific position and school you’re applying to. Use specific examples and language that demonstrate your fit for the job, and avoid generic or overly formal language.
Get prepared for the next steps by reviewing what to expect during an interview and practicing common behavioral interview questions.
How long should a cover letter be?
Your cover letter for a teacher job should be half a page to one page long. Aim for about 250-500 words.
Remember to emphasize your student-centered approach to teaching and discuss how you create a positive and inclusive learning environment for all students.
Learn exactly how long your cover letter should be to make a memorable impression on potential employers with our expert guide.
Who do you address a teaching cover letter to?
Ideally, you should address a teaching cover letter to the hiring manager or the person responsible for reviewing applications. This information is typically included in the job posting or can be found on the school or organization’s website.
If the job posting does not include the name of the hiring manager or recruiter, you can address the letter to the school principal, department head or the hiring committee. Avoid using general salutations such as “To Whom It May Concern” as they can come across as impersonal.
If you’re unable to find the name of the hiring manager, you can address the letter to the school or organization itself. For example, “Dear [School Name] Hiring Team” or “Dear [School Name] Human Resources Department.”
Remember to use a professional tone throughout your cover letter, regardless of who you are addressing.
Best practices
- Address the recruiter or hiring manager directly.
- Explain what attracted you to the school in one or two sentences. For instance, the school’s commitment to inclusion and diversity.
- Customize your teacher cover letter for the job.
- Include keywords from the job description throughout. For example, “curriculum development” and “technology integration.”
- End with a clear call to action.
- Proofread your cover letter more than once.
- Write a generic teacher cover letter. Instead, include specific examples of your lesson planning and instructing skills.
- Write more than one page.
- Use generic salutations, like “To Whom It May Concern.”
- Regurgitate your resume. Expand on your resume with detailed accounts of how you create a positive and inclusive learning environment.
- Rely on automatic grammar or spell-checkers.
- Write a fan letter, even if it is your dream job.
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How we reviewed this article
Since 2012, we have helped more than 11 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
- Indeed. Article. Redfield, Melissa. What’s the Job Outlook for Teachers in 2023
- Point Loma Nazarene University. Article. What’s the Job Market Like for Teachers Today?
- Teachers of Tomorrow. Article. 10+ Teacher Skills You Need on Your Resume in 2023
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Elizabeth is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches. She is committed to helping job seekers navigate the job market and succeed in their careers.
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