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.
Teacher full text-only cover letter example
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
Sections of a teacher cover letter
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:
- Cover letter header. Provide your contact information and the date you’re sending the letter.
- Greeting. Address the principal, administrator, or hiring manager by name to show you’ve done your homework.
- Introduction. In your introduction, provide a compelling reason for the school to hire you. Share your passion and enthusiasm for teaching.
- Body. Your cover letter body should expand on your teaching qualifications while providing examples of how you’ve helped students succeed. Discuss how your skills make you the right teacher for the job.
- Conclusion. Close the body with a short paragraph summarizing your skills and experience. Provide a call to action that encourages a hiring manager to contact you.
- Signature. Finish your letter with a professional salutation and your signature.
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.
Introduction of a teacher cover letter
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.
Teacher cover letter body
The body of your cover letter should follow this structure:
- Describe your experience and skills
- Explain why you’re the best teacher for the open position
- Tie your key points together in a memorable conclusion
- End with a call to action that makes a principal want to contact you
First body paragraph: your suitability for the role (skills & experience)
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:
- Education, license, and certifications. Schools need to hire competent teachers, so share how your education degree has prepared you for the role. You can also discuss the teaching license or certifications you hold.
- Classroom management and student engagement. Discuss your ability to create a positive classroom environment and get students excited about learning. Share a story that showcases your effective teaching style.
- Technology integration. Explain how you integrate technology into your lesson plans. Describe some tools and software you’re comfortable using, such as interactive whiteboards, tablets, and learning management systems.
- Curriculum development. Describe how you develop and implement lesson plans to meet academic standards. If you can, share successful outcomes using measurable data.
- Extracurricular involvement. If you’ve led a student club, organization, or team, mention it in your cover letter body. This involvement shows your commitment to helping students grow, both inside and outside the classroom.
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.
Second body paragraph(s): alignment with the organization
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:
- Welcome and support all students, families, and school staff
- Students do better when they feel protected and supported
- Ensure that each student graduates on a pathway to a rewarding career
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.
Call to action & conclusion: end on a positive note
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.
How to write a teacher cover letter with no experience
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:
- Transferable skills. Discuss the transferable skills you’ve gained in school or other jobs. For example, you may emphasize your communication and organizational skills.
- Technology proficiency. Explain how you’ve used different technologies in your coursework or student teaching experience.
- Passion for teaching. Describe your passion for learning and education, and explain why you’ve decided to pursue this noble career.
- Volunteer experience. If you have relevant volunteer experience, such as tutoring or coaching, you can mention it in your cover letter.
By focusing on these qualifications, you can explain why you’re a great candidate for the teaching job, even with no experience.
Key takeaways
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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