You know how to introduce yourself on parent-teacher nights, but how do you introduce yourself to a hiring manager when you want a new job? You need a teacher cover letter that makes the grade.
A cover letter that highlights your best qualities can help you land your next teaching job. This guide and our teacher cover letter examples will show you how to write an A+ cover letter that sends you to the top of the class.
Dear Principal Wilson,
Newton’s first law of motion states that an object will stay at rest until a force acts upon it.
Two decades of seeing 500+ science students graduate from Ivy League universities tells me that my “force” is indeed helping to develop the scientific minds of tomorrow. I hope to bring this experience to the advertised science position at Jefferson High School.
As the subject lead for a district of 18 schools, I facilitated the creation of learning materials and oversaw an improvement of graduation rates by 10% across the district over a four-year period. In my school, the graduation rate averaged 99%. I believe in the power of learning through experiment rather than theory – showing beats telling every time. Innovative approaches often bring new discoveries.
I have been active in creating online lessons for my students and believe that blended learning is the future of education. We might not be with our students as they are doing their homework, but we can send them a recorded online video to explain things. Being able to rewind a video is an amazing way to check understanding.
Jefferson HS values are close to my heart, and it was actually one of your current faculty who suggested that I apply for the role. I look forward to the opportunity of learning more about your staff and students and hope that I might be able to contribute to their success. In the school experiment, every curious young mind matters.
Yours sincerely,
Grace McKenna
Like a well-developed lesson plan, your cover letter should present key information in an organized, logical structure. A cover letter for a teacher should include these elements:
Using this format, your letter should give an overview of your teaching pedagogy and experience. Remember that every school is a unique learning environment. Tailor your letter to a school’s needs by using the job description as your starting point.
Keep your cover letter concise and to the point. It should be no longer than one page.
Want more cover letter guidance? Check out our related cover letter examples for teachers:
Get more information about structuring your letter with our guide on how to write a cover letter.
After preparing your header and addressing the hiring manager, it’s time to write an introduction that gets a principal’s attention.
If you ace the introduction of your letter, a hiring manager will want to keep reading to learn more about you. Start your cover letter with a notable achievement from your teaching career, such as your record of improving students’ test scores.
In the first paragraph, your goal is to create a snappy and captivating introduction of your teaching experience in one or two sentences.
Dear Principal Wilson,
Newton’s first law of motion states that an object will stay at rest until a force acts upon it.
My name is Janice, and I’m writing to express interest in your vacancy for a physics teaching position at Centennial High School. I have over four years of experience teaching science for 10th and 11th grades.
Your cover letter introduction can also showcase your personality. Provide an anecdote that describes your classroom management style or your teaching philosophy. Just make sure to keep the story short to hold the reader’s attention.
The body of your cover letter should follow this structure:
The first paragraph of your cover letter should explain why you’re a qualified candidate for the position. It should outline your relevant skills, career achievements, and teaching strategies.
As you write this paragraph, consider emphasizing your qualifications in these areas:
Use the STAR method
STAR is an acronym that stands for Situation, Task, Action, and (positive) Result. As you describe your skills and experience, use this framework to capture the impact you’ve had on students’ performance.
In the second body paragraph, frame your past experiences in a way that allows a principal to imagine your future success. Explain how you plan to contribute to the school to make their job easier.
This part of your letter should also demonstrate how your values and teaching practices align with the school to which you’re applying. Do your research to learn about the school’s mission and culture.
For example, here are some key points about the vision and mission of New York City Public Schools:
If you’re applying for a job in this school district, you may want to highlight your commitment to inclusive learning environments and your dedication to supporting students in the classroom. You may also share a story about a former student who acknowledged your role in their academic or professional success.
Two decades of seeing 500+ science students graduate from Ivy League universities tells me that my “force” is indeed helping to develop the scientific minds of tomorrow. I hope to bring this experience to the advertised science position at Jefferson High School.
As the subject lead for a district of 18 schools, I facilitated the creation of learning materials and oversaw an improvement of graduation rates by 10% across the district over a four-year period. In my school, the graduation rate averaged 99%. I believe in the power of learning through experiment rather than theory – showing beats telling every time. Innovative approaches often bring new discoveries.
I have been active in creating online lessons for my students and believe that blended learning is the future of education. We might not be with our students as they are doing their homework, but we can send them a recorded online video to explain things. Being able to rewind a video is an amazing way to check understanding.
Your final body paragraph should summarize your qualifications and restate your excitement about applying for the teaching position.
End your cover letter with a call to action for the hiring manager to get in touch with you. Strike a balance between friendly and firm to show confidence in your abilities. For example, you can write, “I look forward to hearing more about Centennial High School’s staff and students. You can reach me at (your email) or (your phone) with any questions.”
Your last paragraph should invite the employer to contact you while ending on a positive note.
Jefferson HS values are close to my heart, and it was actually one of your current faculty who suggested that I apply for the role. I look forward to the opportunity of learning more about your staff and students and hope that I might be able to contribute to their success. In the school experiment, every curious young mind matters.
Yours sincerely,
Grace McKenna
Finish your letter with a professional sign-off, such as “Best Regards” or “Sincerely.” Include your signature below.
You will not be starting your teaching career without any experience. You’ve already completed student teaching, so you have managed a classroom before. Focus on this experience and describe how your education can help you succeed in your first teaching job.
Consider highlighting these qualities:
By focusing on these qualifications, you can explain why you’re a great candidate for the teaching job, even with no experience.
A teacher cover letter should provide a principal or hiring manager with an overview of your teaching experience and qualifications. Follow a teacher cover letter template to organize your letter and include key details. Use your letter to describe situations and anecdotes where you’ve improved student outcomes or helped a school meet its goals.
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