A Professional Teacher Cover Letter Example (With Template)

Writing a teacher cover letter is more unique than writing a traditional cover letter. There are a few job application assets that you should reference in your letter. And reassurance to the hiring manager or principal who's hiring that tells them you comprehend the school district requirements and faculty needs.

A cover letter for a teaching position not only refers to experiences you’ve had as a teacher. But refers to accolades you’ve been able to unlock as an educator (your true teaching experience).

How to Write a Teacher Cover Letter

Here are some examples of references and guidelines you can follow when writing your cover letter. Or sometimes referred to as an application letter. For any teaching position.

Teaching cover letter format

First paragraph: Your first paragraph should set up the body of your cover letter. The best way to do this is to reiterate to the reader what you’ve researched regarding the school district's needs. And the needs of the teaching position. For example, as an elementary teacher, you should refer to the school districts' requirements and technology capabilities. And mention how that might impact your teaching methods. This will flow into your cover letter's body paragraph. That should contain accomplishments that support you as the job seeker having the requirements for the position.

Student achievements: Your body paragraph should contain a healthy amount of achievements that help you stand out from the other job candidates. Referencing any student achievement can be your method of showing your teaching experience. For example, as an elementary school teacher, median standardized testing scores are something that might be useful to mention. The same goes for a high school teacher. Though, if your role is specific, like an English teacher, for example. Then you may want to mention parent or student feedback as part of your accolade.

Your educational background: Unlike many other jobs, your educational background can signify how much you’ve spent toward your education as a teacher. Receiving special certifications toward your teaching style and speaking to those certifications can present a very professional cover letter for a teacher.

Your last paragraph: The last paragraph of every cover letter should contain a call to action. Either a reference to your resume or other application assets. Something that helps the reader continue forward. A good cover letter should have at least one call to action, if not multiple. The second call to action could be available times you can interview the following week, for example.

Optional to include

Your philosophy of education or sample lesson plans: Referring to your philosophy of education can show your teaching experience. Doing so in your body paragraph can be impactful. And can allude to your teaching skills simply by stating how you have decided to educate. This is great for any teacher to mention. From a student teacher, substitute teacher, ESL teacher, and special education teacher. Faculty, principals, and hiring managers to care about how you educate and what your methods are for doing so.

Pro tip: Writing a great teacher cover letter is simple, refer to the school system and your abilities in the classroom. Show you're the best candidate for the job. Include three to five bullet points on key achievements in the classroom or qualifications for the role.

Look through the job description

By thinking through what your principal or faculty member may want to see. You can target your letter to both the education system and the educator. Turning a generic cover letter into a highly tailored and targeted one.

Optional Mentions in Your Cover Letter

You may want to mention either the presence of or some aspects of these assets in your teaching job application:

• Your current teacher resume
• Philosophy of Education Statement
• Copies of your degrees, transcript, licenses, or certifications
• A list of any professional development courses you’ve taken
• Sample lesson plans
• Examples of students work
• Demonstrations of your technology knowledge

While it’s not required, it can tell your potential employer to refer to those assets. Especially if you mention an achievement, accolade, or professional story in your resume and cover letter.

Sample Teacher Cover Letter & Teacher Cover Letter Examples

Below is a sample elementary teacher cover letter and general teacher cover letter example. Use this cover letter sample to get an idea of what to write in yours. This cover letter style can get used for specific teacher jobs and positions, like an art teacher or an English teacher. Specific grade levels, like a 3rd-grade teacher. Or substitute positions like a student-teacher. Be sure to replace all information in this sample cover letter with your own. And based on the education system, hiring manager, principal, or faculty/staff.

Francis Bush

Elementary Education Teacher

400-500-5008

linkedin.com/francisbush

May 1st, 2020

Principal Jefferson

Anderson Elementary School

Dear Principal Jefferson:

I reviewed what your district requires in terms of an educator. And I noticed that your faculty were more than equipped with the latest teaching technology, including smart boards. This really excites me because I know students are far more engaged with technology than ever before. As a new teacher, I started my career, gaining student teaching experience to become a more seasoned educator later.

I feel would complement your school well is my strong track record of success amongst students and parents. I’ve received high ratings from faculty, students who have graduated, and their parents. As well as achieving a median 98% acceptance rate from standardized tests.

I’d love to learn more about how my teaching experience and methods can benefit your school. I've attached my resume and philosophy of education statement. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Francis Bush

First Year Teacher Cover Letter Sample (No Experience)

Refer to the below format and example when writing a cover letter for first-year teaching jobs.

Francis Bush

Elementary Education Teacher

400-500-5008

linkedin.com/francisbush

May 1st, 2020

Principal Jefferson

Anderson Elementary School

Dear Principal Jefferson:

I reviewed what your district requires in terms of an educator. I noticed that your faculty were more than equipped with the latest teaching technology, including smart boards. This really excites me because I know students are far more engaged with technology than ever before. I'm looking to begin my career as a primary educator. I've completed my bachelor's degree in May and have had previous experience as a teacher's assistant while completing my education.

I value the relationship between students, faculty, and parents. I graduated from Columbia University with a 3.8 GPA. And have been involved in the local community, primarily assisting young children through the community center offering free tutoring courses and assistance.

I’d love to learn more about how I might be able to apply my prospective teaching methods to the school. My methods are enclosed in the resume and philosophy of education statement.

Sincerely,

Francis Bush

ESL Teacher Cover Letter Sample

Francis Bush

ESL Teacher

400-500-5008

linkedin.com/francisbush

May 1st, 2020

Principal Jefferson

Anderson Elementary School

Dear Principal Jefferson:

I've reviewed what your district requires in terms of an educator. I noticed that your faculty was looking for an ESL teacher to assist in Spanish, German, and French. I'm familiar with these languages and fluent in more than English. I've completed my degree. And I am searching for a faulty that aligns with my values. Providing care to Individualized Lesson Plan's (IEP's). Respecting the student body through making education fun and exciting. And keeping parents informed on students' progress.

I value the relationship between students, faculty, and parents. I graduated from Columbia University with a 3.8 GPA. And have been involved in the local community, primarily assisting young children through the community center offering free tutoring courses and assistance.

I’d love to learn more about how I might be able to apply my prospective teaching methods to the school. I've attached my resume and philosophy of education statement.

Sincerely,

Francis Bush

High School Teacher Cover Letter Sample

Francis Bush

ESL Teacher

400-500-5008

linkedin.com/francisbush

May 1st, 2020

Principal Jefferson

Anderson High School

Dear Principal Jefferson:

I reviewed what your district requires in terms of an educator. I noticed that your faculty was looking for a High School educator to assist with English courses. I've taught for nearly 6-years now, primarily in English and language arts. Personally, my approach to teaching consists of providing care to Individualized Lesson Plan's (IEP's). Respecting the student body through making education fun and exciting. And keeping parents informed on students' progress.

I value the relationship between students, faculty, and parents. My goal would be to represent the High School with honor. I graduated from Columbia University with a 3.8 GPA. And have been involved in the local community, primarily assisting young children through the community center offering free tutoring courses and assistance.

I’d love to learn more about how I might be able to apply my prospective teaching methods to the school. I've attached my resume and philosophy of education statement.

Sincerely,

Francis Bush

Teacher Cover Letter Tips

Follow the guidelines below when writing cover letters for teaching positions.

Consider the school system

Most schools have a wealth of information about their values and staff culture in their careers portal or "about us" page. Read through the school's website to gain useful information on what each employee should value from their work. And what characteristics create an all-star teacher or faculty member. Use this to position the cover letter and target the writing to the principal or school board.

Mention key teaching skills

Communication skills, verbal communication skills, coordination, in-classroom coordination, and other teaching skills apply to the hiring manager or principal. References to accomplishments or experiences in previous jobs that utilize these skills can be useful for faculty. It can assist in helping the hiring manager better comprehend core competencies and characteristics that align with the job opening.

Speak about teaching objectives

Writing about teaching aspirations can make the faculty and staff feel like they're hiring a candidate who has a passion for teaching. Passion is an important aspect of any successful candidate. Jared Brox describes, "passionate employees are engaged employees. They believe in the work they do and that they have a vested interest in the success of their company." As Jared alludes, passion is what makes a great employee. When it comes to teaching positions, passion is far more important as the role has a direct impact on our youth.

Refer to outside activities

Teaching is more than a job. It should be a passion. To display a passion for teaching, refer to outside activities, like community involvement or volunteering. This might include referring to tutoring or providing free book reading to the local library. Any type of community involvement, grants, or other activities will be useful for the principal and staff.

Refer to being published

In some academic positions, being published is a qualifier for the role. Include the authors, date published, volume, page, and DOI number. This will allow for the principal and faculty to refer to the published piece and understand the candidate on a deeper level.

Refer to references

References can be impactful for teaching positions. Include professional and academic references as part of the cover letter. Include the references on a new page and not within the cover letter. References should include faculty, staff, administrators, and other professional colleagues who can vouch for the professional's work experience and academic achievements or merits.