You teach Math, Reading, and for some kids, spend more time with them than anyone else will that day. Show you are responsible with a glowing elementary teacher cover letter.
Dave Rygielski
Career Expert
You are vital in the early development of children, and have spent such a long time studying how to guide them in their early stages.All that’s left to do to make sure you can make a lasting impression on someone’s life is to write a top-of-the-class elementary teacher cover letter.
In this guide:
Elementary teacher school cover letter examples that ace any examination.
How to format your cover letter.
A fill-in-the-blanks template that will produce your elementary teacher cover letter within 15 minutes.
I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your cover letter.” Patrick
I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work! Dylan
My previous cover letter was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful! George
Now, let's see how these elementary teacher cover letter samples do it.
1. Elementary Teacher Cover Letter Examples
The first sample comes from Diana, who has a few years of practical experience. The school she is applying to adheres to principles for schools of modern learning, and has a focus on using technology to improve children outcomes.
Let’s see how she plays it.
Example #1: Experienced Elementary School Teacher Cover Letter
Experienced Elementary School Teacher Cover Letter—Text Version
Diana W. Stanley
4533 Bassell Avenue
Little Rock, AR 72210
501-772-6013
dianawstanley@armyspy.com
linkedin.com/dianawstanley
Little Rock, May 19, 2019
John Odell
Hiring Manager
Westwood Elementary School
18 Mount Olive Road
Little Rock, AR 72210
Dear John,
As an elementary school teacher with 7+ years of experience working with children aged 6-10, I was delighted to see that you were looking for someone like me at Westwood Elementary. During my employment at Little Rock Elementary School, I was able to introduce the same principles of modern education that you base your philosophy on, and boost test scores 12% in my classes, as well as reduce disruptions by 24%, so I would slot right into your methods.
I graduated in Elementary Education from University of Arizona in 2011, before a short internship at the Department of Education. At Little Rock Elementary School, I was responsible for the daily teaching of 80 1-5th graders (I am experienced in managing groups from 3 to 25 at all elementary ages). When working with children I do not use textbooks, but try to introduce solutions that are interesting for children based on the use of modern technology. I obtained a $56,000 grant from the state fund for the purchase of teaching aids and tablets for children. I have started a tradition that spread to the whole school that every second day of the month, we take an educational trip to the museum or a theater, having negotiated it with the local facilities for free. At least once a month we have a ‘Career Day’, where children meet people from different professions to find out about what they do. Over the years, we have had over 50 different professions represented, some multiple times. Thanks to extracurricular activities I organized for four weeks in March, my pupils obtained first place in the State "Keep an open mind" Art competition. By activating students and using multimedia teaching aids, my students' results are on average 25% better than in other classes.
I am convinced that my experience, excellent contact with children and constant desire to develop make me an excellent candidate for the Westwood Elementary. I know that a non-standard and modern approach to education is extremely important to you, which is why I would like to take advantage of your experience and in return offer my ingenuity and readiness to work hard.
I am looking forward to discussing with you how my interactive methods can boost learning behavioral improvements at Westwood Elementary.
Sincerely,
Diana W. Stanley
501-772-6013
dianawstanley@armyspy.com
Right away you know exactly who you’re dealing with. A thoroughly organized, modern, and effective teacher. She’s staying after school.
The next example is from someone who just qualified, but only has private and babysitting experience in the past.
Example #2: Entry-Level Elementary Teacher Cover Letter
Entry-Level Elementary Teacher Cover Letter—Text Version
Josefina P. Grantham
4356 Farnum Road
New York, NY 10021
212-288-8899
josefinapgrantham@teleworm.us
linkedin.com/josefinapgrantham
New York, March 1, 2020
Tom Porter
Principal
Westgate Elementary School
1667 Bell Street
New York, NY 10021
Dear Tom,
I am writing in regards to the Elementary Teacher opening advertised on the Westgate Elementary School website. As your school is recognized as one of the best elementary schools in New York, I was waiting for this opportunity. I would like to transfer proven child care skills from babysitting 60+ children ages 3-14, practical experience in giving private lessons for 45+ children weekly aged 8-14, and strong educational background to start my teaching career with you.
My passion for working with children began in high school when I started working as a babysitter. A natural ability to keep the children's attention, organize their time and explain homework resulted in a two-year internship in the afternoon kid’s club, where I was giving private lessons for 45+ children weekly at the age from 10 to 14, boosting their Math standardized test scores by 16% on average. At the same time I was studying Early Childhood Education at NYU Steinhardt, from where I graduated in 2019 with a 3.8 GPA. Education studies gave me expert knowledge of teaching methodology, and studies of Child Psychology helped me to better understand and shape children's behavior. In two years of giving private lessons, I have had 100% retention rate, and the lowest absence rates amongst all staff, assuring me that I have a natural disposition for working with children.
Given my comprehensive education and broad experience, I am confident I can translate the best parts of working 1-on-1 into classroom settings at Westgate Elementary.
Can we schedule a meeting to discuss what would be the best way to do that?
Sincerely,
Josefina P. Grantham
212-288-8899
josefinapgrantham@teleworm.us
Here's how to write an elementary teacher cover letter that's just as good:
2. How to Write an Elementary Teacher Cover Letter
1. Format Your Cover Letter
If your margins are unruly, how are you going to take charge of 30 kids? More than reflecting on you as a person, it is more likely just to discourage someone from reading further. Don’t fall at the first hurdle.
Check once again at the end—formatting can mess up mid-way, especially if you’re copy and pasting from your resume. Once you have set the play area, let’s see what to include in your cover letter.
2. Address Your Elementary Teacher Cover Letter
Add your contact details at the very top of the cover letter address area, making it identical to your resume header. Do not omit your physical address or phone number. Underneath, write down the date and city, and below, the details of the principal, or whoever is dealing with your application.
Check against our template:
Elementary School Teacher Cover Letter Header
[ Your Full Name]
[ Elementary Teacher Title ]
[ Physical Address ]
[ Phone Number ]
[ Email Address ]
[ Date ]
[ Department / School Head ]
[ Elementary Teacher / Honorary Titles]
[ Elementary Teacher Department ]
[ College Name ]
[ Address ]
[ City and Zip Code ]
Expert Hint: Don’t put your address info at the top and bottom of an email cover letter. Just add your phone and email.
Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.
Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.
3. Say Which Job You’re Applying To and Introduce Yourself
Address the principal by their proper title and surname. Start your cover letter by clearly stating you are applying for an elementary teacher position, and provide your most significant teaching achievement to convince them to keep reading. Then link it back to what you can do for them
You can just replace the [blanks] with your information:
Elementary Teacher Cover Letter Sample: Introduction
Dear [Proper Title] [Surname]:
I would like to apply to the [Elementary Teacher] position at [School Name]. During my [X]+ years’ teaching background at [Past Institution Names], I have managed to [your most significant teaching achievement]. I believe I can translate this performance into [boosting test scores/improving behavior/etc.]at [School Name].
Expert Hint: The Bureau for Labour Statistics reports there are over 1.5 million Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers in the US, but predicts there will only be 3%, or 53 thousand more jobs in 10 years’ time. Polish your elementary teacher resume, and you will be in that group.
4. Make Your Case
The first paragraph was for attention. The second paragraph is for convincing you've got the teaching skills needed for the job. You should focus on the positive outcomes you can achieve for your students, parents and other staff alike. Address the needs and values of the school—check their website in-depth, and write a targeted cover letter that isn’t generic.
Try and quantify what you achieve. Score improvements, lower number of incidents, higher satisfaction. Think of the innovative things that you tried that really took on, and include them as well.
Sample Cover Letter For Elementary Teacher Jobs: Middle Paragraph
I obtained my [Degree Name]from [College Name]with a [X] GPA, where I developed a special interest in [discuss relevant coursework if light on work experience]. At [Previous School Name] I have been responsible for [number] [age groups] students, in classes of up to [number]. I believe in[a modern approach to education/interactive learning/etc.]therefore I have [obtained funding/bought/budgeted for] [learning aids], which allowed the students to [improve at something]. I am invested not only in the learning, but the development of children which is why [I gained certifications/studied child psychology/etc.] and can help [School Name] improve its [something they want to improve].
Expert Hint: If you are really scant for experience and achievements, you can opt to bolster your package with some additional certifications on your resume and elementary teacher cover letter, and get a CPR certification from the American Heart Association.
5. Explain Your Motivation
The worst thing that could happen is when you are suddenly too modern, too innovative, and too progressive to be employed by some schools. Let them know you respect them too by finding out what is important to them and discussing those values and goals.
Make them feel like it’s the only school you’re applying to.
Fill in the [blanks]:
Elementary School Teacher Cover Letter Sample: Third Paragraph
Joining [School Name] as an Elementary Teacher would be a benefit to me, the kids, and the school, as it would allow me to channel my [special skills] in order to [achieve something for the kids or the school].
6. Request An Interview & Leave a Call To Action
Signing off your cover letter the wrong way can send it straight to the bin. Being too friendly, too enthusiastic, or too sure of yourself can all play to your disadvantage. Be bold and explicitly ask for an interview, underlining it with your strongest argument or achievement.
Then sign off formally, like this:
Sample Elementary Teacher Cover Letter: Call to Action & Closing
When would be a good time to have a call or a meeting to discuss how my [your best, most relevant skill/their most important requirement][skills/experience] can help[Target School Name]achieve [something important to this school]?
Best Regards,
[Digital Copy of Your Handwritten Signature]
[Your Full Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
One more cover letter tip. Use active voice and action verbs on your cover letter. It means “20 students were mentored by me” becomes “I mentored 20 students.” The latter feels more impressive.
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Key Points
When writing your elementary teacher cover letter remember:
Proper formatting: elegant font, even margins, spacing, a legible header with all the information.
State that you’re applying to be an elementary teacher, and your most marketable achievement in the first paragraph.
In the second, show exactly why, in detail, you are the best match for this position, by referencing your relevant metrics and achievements.
Show how this position is a natural progression for you to grow, teach more people, and make an impression on kids’ lives.
Sign off politely and ask for an interview.
Do you have any more questions about writing a cover letter for elementary teacher jobs? Did you find our elementary teacher cover letter sample helpful? Leave us a comment, I’ll be more than happy to hear from you!
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Written byDave Rygielski
Dave is a career expert delivering a wide range of well-researched advice regarding the job hunting and application process. At ResumeLab, his data-driven resume and cover letter guides help readers capitalize on their potential.