You might be a passionate educator, as being a teacher is a respected profession. As such, it is highly coveted. Therefore, as an applicant for a teaching position, you will likely find yourself challenging multiple other qualified contenders. In most cases, submitting your resume may not be enough to secure the job in such situations. However, submitting a cover letter for the teaching job can increase your chances of securing an interview which is a step toward getting hired.
The cover letter is submitted as part of your application. It introduces you to the hiring manager and represents you as the most suitable candidate for the vacancy. This goal can be achieved by highlighting your interest in the position, teaching experience, achievements, academic qualifications, and other qualities that make you a desirable applicant as per the requirements given in the job description.
A well-written teaching cover letter for a teaching position will leave a long-lasting impression on your potential employer. In addition, with a cover letter, you are bound to stand out from other job applicants.
Download Free Templates
Given below are teacher cover letter templates:
This article directs job applicants about how they can create an exceptional cover letter that showcases their suitability for the teaching position and persuades the potential employer to grant them an interview.
Skills Required for a Teacher
A teacher is expected to possess multiple skills to perform their duties satisfactorily. This includes both soft and technical skills. Skills are essential in a cover letter as they demonstrate your competencies and how effectively you can undertake any teaching responsibilities that may be awarded to you. So, if you are pursuing a career in teaching, below are examples of critical skills you can include in your cover letter.
Hard skills
- Additional teaching certifications, e.g., Special Education Certification
- Foreign language skills
- Curriculum knowledge
- Lesson planning
- Google Classroom (and other learning management systems)
- Zoom (and other video conferencing platforms)
- SMART boards
- Microsoft Office
- Computer skills
- Mathematics
- Musical instruments
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Soft skills
- Communication skills
- Active listening
- Conflict management
- Mediation
- Negotiation
- Persuasion
- Multitasking
- Collaboration
- Coordination
- Delegation
- Observation
- Organizational skills
- Empathy
- Patience
- Encouragement
- Humour
- Inspiration
- Persistence
- Motivation
- Optimism
- Adaptability
- Openness to feedback
- Constructive feedback
- Curiosity
- Imagination
- Experimentation
- Questioning
- Reframing
- Self-management
- Goal setting
- Decision making
- Strong work ethic
- Time management skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Leadership skills
- Mentorship
- Strong memory
What to Include in a Teaching Cover Letter?
The components of your cover letter will typically be consistent regardless of the teaching position you are applying for. However, the letter’s content will differ as it is meant to reference your personal experience, unique skill set, and qualities to reflect your exceptional suitability for the position.
The following are the standard sections to include in a cover letter when applying for a teaching position:
Showcase your passion for the role
Your passion for teaching is one criterion potential employers will look for in your cover letter. You can illustrate your passion for the role in different ways; for instance, you can mention why you chose the career and your interest in a particular aspect of the school/institution, e.g., a teaching method or its vision. If you have personal links to the institution, you can also mention this to illustrate why you are interested in the job.
Emphasise/quantify your achievements
Achievements in your previous job positions are used to determine your suitability for the teaching role. Examples of achievements include teaching awards, high test scores from your students, credible publications, noteworthy projects, etc. You should quantify these achievements as this further authenticates your claim. Numbers are also more persuasive than unsupported claims. Your cover letter should thus include these accomplishments as they are used to determine your contributions in previous jobs and your potential as a teacher, which can be an asset to the institution.
Share your past experience
A cover letter for a teacher should share your personal experience to show you are qualified to perform the duties of a teacher. You do not have to be too detailed in this section, as this is already addressed in your resume. This section should only mention noteworthy experiences that you want to contextualize. If you are a new graduate, use your student-teaching experience to write this section.
Specify any training or certification you have
Next, additional training and certifications can be used to add merit to your cover letter. Also, some job descriptions will require applicants to have specific training and certification. This section can show how you meet the job requirements in such situations.
Include related work outside the classroom
Lastly, you can include non-teaching experience in your cover letter. This can include volunteer work such as peer counselling or instances you have worked with children. Such experience helps illustrate transferrable skills you may possess. This can be remarkably helpful if you have little professional experience as a teacher.
Teaching Cover Letter Template
[Date]
Recruiter’s name]
[Institution name]
[Street Address]
[City, state zip code]
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms [recruiter’s name],     Â
I am forwarding this letter to apply for the position of [job position, e.g., high school math teacher] in your district. As a recent graduate from [University X] with a degree in [degree X] mathematics and X years of teaching experience at the local community centre, I would be an excellent candidate for this position. My love for [specific field] and teaching experience make me an ideal candidate for this position.
I understand the district’s curriculum and am willing to implement it for the benefit of the children. I am [mention skills such as being organized, an active listener, etc.] qualities that allow me to offer quality service to my students. My classes have averaged [X GPA] in the last X years. I have been in charge of classes with a population of over [number of students] while maintaining an [percentage] attendance. Â
While at the university, I excelled in [field of study, e.g., mathematics courses] and completed an internship with a local middle school where I helped grade students’ assignments, lectures, and exams. After graduating from University X, I began working as a [role, e.g., math tutor] at a local community centre where I still work today. In addition, I am certified to coach students in [specific training such as French, swimming, etc.].
Throughout high school, I excelled in [a particular field such as baseball] through consistent participation at the national level. As a result, I received an academic scholarship to attend University X.
I am available to undertake an interview. You can contact me through [number] or [email]. Thank you for being so considerate.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Teaching Cover Letter Sample
5th October 2022
Hugh Miles
Broadview STEM Academy
244 Middleton Avenue
Albuquerque, NM 40783
Dear Mr. H. Miles,
I am applying for the position of Online Teaching Assistant at Broadview STEM Academy. I have over ten(10) years of experience teaching in my home country. In addition, I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and Mathematics and teaching certification with more than 10 years of classroom-based teaching experience. My time at my last online teaching assistant position allowed me to explore different workflow methods and ways to enrich the curriculum for students. I also have experience grading student work online through collaboration with teachers.
I am adequately qualified for this position because I have a Bachelor’s in Mathematics and Computer Science with a STEM Specialization. Throughout my academic career, I have spent hours studying advanced Mathematics and curriculum, in addition to student interaction. My career has allowed me to develop experience in helping students work through challenging problems and showing them how to adapt their skills when necessary. My interpersonal skills have also helped me build relationships with students and their families, strengthening my personal and career network.
I firmly believe teaching is an exciting and rewarding career. I am genuinely interested in working with students, teaching and mentoring them, and making a difference in their lives, something Broadview STEM Academy is known to promote. In addition, I have the skill set to add value to services offered at Broadview STEM Academy by tackling existing problems head-on and finding innovative solutions.
I would greatly appreciate the chance to discuss my qualifications with you for this position. Do not hesitate to get in touch with me at [PHONE] or [EMAIL] to schedule a time for an interview. Again, thank you for being so considerate, and I look forward to meeting with you.
Sincerely,
Sara Smith
Effective Tips
You must pay attention to different aspects of a cover letter when writing it. This is to keep it professional, compelling, persuasive, and informative.
Below are tips for creating an outstanding cover letter for your teacher application:
Keep it short and sweet
You must grab the reader’s attention at first glance and retain it for a few seconds while communicating enough reasons why you are a suitable candidate. To achieve this, your letter should be brief and sweet. Remember, recruiters will likely be going through multiple applications and will not have enough time to review a long, boring cover letter. They thus end up skimming through the letter during the first review. Keeping the letter short and sweet ensures your letter is noticed and picked for a more thorough review. Use a few paragraphs to convey your suitability rather than rephrasing the resume.
Individualise your cover letter
The cover letter should be personalized to align with the role, school, and district you are applying for. You can do so by highlighting how you meet the specific requirements needed in an ideal candidate. This helps in demonstrating how you fit the role and institution as a whole.
Research the school
You ought to research the school you are applying to and gather noteworthy information that you can include in the cover letter. For example, you can mention major projects the school has been involved in, their students’ performance in your field, or programs they have formulated for their students. Also, mention how you can contribute toward the school’s initiatives or help the school improve in the areas you have mentioned. This illustrates that you are interested in the institution itself.
Emphasise why you are a great match
Carefully evaluate the job description, compare the job requirements and qualifications, and demonstrate how you fulfil those requirements. Try to demonstrate how you meet most of the qualities the employer is looking for in an ideal candidate. Use examples to show how you are a great match.
Take your time
You should pay attention to your cover letter for the teaching position as much as your resume because it is equally important. An exceptional cover letter increases your chances of securing the job, while a poorly written cover letter can achieve the opposite. Therefore, take your time to write an excellent letter that serves its intended purpose effectively.
Use job posting to find keywords.
Another technique to improve the quality of your cover letter is using keywords given by the employer in the job posting. Typically, the employer will use specific words and phrases to state the skills they need and the responsibilities the hired applicant will be given. So, you should use these keywords when stating how you are qualified and suitable for the role. This is an effective technique of assuring the employer that you possess the qualifications they are looking for.
Proofread and edit
The cover letter is an official correspondence and should thus be presented as such. You should always proofread the letter to avoid sending a letter with typos, spelling, and grammatical errors. Errors are a quick way of dismissing your letter as it would appear unprofessional, and the recruiter may thus not take you as a serious applicant.
As mentioned earlier, your cover letter should reflect the specific position you are applying for. For example, different teaching positions exist in any academic institution. Below are examples of different cover letters teachers can write depending on the teaching jobs they are applying for:
Teaching Cover Letter Examples
A first-time teacher cover letter is written when applying for a teaching job for the first time – for example, a recent graduate. This letter should refer to the student teaching experience. In addition, it should show excitement about joining the profession and illustrate why you want to be a teacher.
First-time teacher
Experienced elementary teacher
Experienced teachers also benefit from cover letters when applying for teaching positions. Your extensive experience, interest, and demonstration of how you can help the school should be evident in such a letter. References can also be added.
Summer school teacher
Teachers who train other teachers during the summer holidays can use this letter to highlight their competencies and qualifications. This letter should be able to make you stand out from other applicants.
Assistant teacher
Teachers occasionally have assistants to take up some of their roles and help with their busy schedules. An assistant teacher cover letter should indicate your ability to assist with the typical duties of a teacher and other administrative duties.
Special education teacher
Special education teachers should use this letter to state how they have met a special education job’s specific requirements. In addition, this letter can indicate your proficiency in special education curriculums and teaching practices.
School counsellor
Being a counsellor is part of teaching. So, you can use a cover letter to illustrate your counselling qualifications, such as psychology education and qualities that make you a suitable school counsellor.
Library media specialist
A library school media specialist should be able to teach students how to utilize the library and its resources, from books to technology. The cover letter for this position should indicate your qualifications and abilities to perform these duties.
High school English teacher
Teachers will often specialize in different subjects, for example, English. A cover letter for such a position should demonstrate your ability to teach and assess the subject. Therefore, the letter should exude a high proficiency in English if applying for an English teacher position.
Technology teacher
When applying for a teacher in a technology field, you can use a cover letter. Technology is a field that is heavily reliant on skills and knowledge. So, you can focus on technical skills and add interpersonal skills needed to train students.
Music teacher
Music teachers must know how to use multiple musical instruments and have a strong interest in music. The cover letter for a music teacher should thus focus on these two aspects and additional information that can further highlight their suitability for the position.
Drama teacher
Drama is a subject that requires teachers to be able to demonstrate acting skills, dances, etc., as well as teach them. In addition, the teacher must coach students and organize auditions, rehearsals, and production. So, you can use a cover letter to express your talents, credentials, interest, and ability to relate with students.
Foreign language teacher
This letter illustrates the teacher’s knowledge of a particular language and ability to assimilate international students into the school’s culture. It should also show the teacher’s ability to implement an inclusive curriculum that includes cross-cultural studies.
Sports teacher
Teachers who teach sports need to have a competitive edge, good communication skills, the ability to train and teach sports to a team like a football or a basketball and instil a positive attitude and virtues such as commitment. This cover letter can be used as a guide for physical education teachers.
ESL teacher
ESL teachers are those who have experience and knowledge in teaching the English subject as a second language to learners who are non-native English speakers. ESL teachers use this cover letter to express their specific skills in teaching, such as proficiency in the language and interest in the field.
Maths teacher
A maths teacher cover letter shows the teacher’s abilities in prospective positions in this area (mathematics). In addition, such a cover letter should illustrate the teacher’s ability to teach maths to different categories of students.
Key Takeaways
- Your cover letter is an opportunity to express your relevant experience, achievements, interest, and personal qualities that will equip you well to teach.
- An effective cover letter for teaching should be tailored to align with the job you are applying for in terms of job requirements and the respective school.
- The cover letter is forwarded as a part of your application.
- This letter will explain your reasons for choosing the specific field and how you can help achieve the organization’s goals.
- Teachers must keep updating their cover letters every time they apply for a teaching position and should avoid reusing the same letter to apply for separate jobs.
- Applicants who do not have a lot of experience in teaching can include non-teaching experiences such as volunteer work and any work related to serving children.