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Teacher Cover Letter Examples for Experienced & New Teachers

11/08/2023

Teacher Cover Letter Examples for Experienced & New Teachers

Ready to get your desk situated in front of the blackboard and educate the next generation of students? Our guide will help you craft the best teacher cover letter to get there.

Christian Eilers, CPRW

Career Expert

After scouring the classifieds, you’ve located the teaching job of your dreams. It looks custom-tailored just for you, and your resume paints a beautiful picture of the teaching skills, leadership abilities, and classroom competence required to make the school proud.

But there’s one last thing to do before you hand in your job application. And that’s writing a teacher cover letter that boldly underlines your talent like a Sharpie.

In this article, you’ll get:

Two teacher cover letter examples: one for an experienced teacher and another sample cover letter for a first-year teacher.
Step-by-step tips on how to write a cover letter for teaching positions that will land you more school interviews.
A teaching cover letter template you can copy, adjust, and have ready in 15 minutes.

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If you're looking for a different cover letter sample for the education sector, here are several guides you may want to have a look at:

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our Good Cover Letter Examples.

Now follow the guide and check out these two teacher cover letter examples:

Teacher Cover Letter Examples

According to the BLS, the employment of kindergarten and elementary school teachers will increase by 7% (124,300 new jobs each year), and high school teachers’ jobs will grow by 8% (77,400 new jobs every year) between 2020 and 2030. That means there will be more work opportunities for educators, but it also means more competition. And that’s why getting a great job offer depends on your teacher cover letter.

To start things off, we’ve got two cover letters for teaching positions. The first teaching cover letter is for a seasoned professional, and the second one is a cover letter for a first-year teacher with limited experience.

The first candidate’s name is Francine. She has several years of teaching experience already, and she’s now applying to a local school, as her family’s just relocated to Providence, RI. The teacher job description seeks a 4th-grade teaching candidate to instruct students in arithmetic, science, history, and language arts.

Let’s have a look at Francine’s cover letter for a teaching position:

Example of a Cover Letter for a Teaching Job (Experienced Candidate)

Francine Dubileaux

Elementary School Teacher

401-852-3697

francine.dubileaux@gmail.com

linkedin.com/in/francinedubileaux

Providence, August 10, 2019

Aaron C. Hoskins

Assistant Principal

Pleasant View Elementary School

50 Obadiah Brown Rd.

Providence, RI 02909

Dear Aaron,

As a recent Providence transplant hailing from Brooklyn, I hadn't heard much about Pleasant View School until recently. This all changed several months ago, as my partner, our children, and I moved to Rhode Island. Upon researching schools to send my daughters to, I finally settled on Pleasant View for its educational environment and teaching standards. At the same time, I came across an open position at Pleasant View. As a newly certified Rhode Island elementary teacher with 3+ years of experience teaching large classrooms of 30+ children, I am certain I would be a perfect fit for your faculty.

The job ad stated that Pleasant View seeks a 4th-grade teacher to teach English and language arts (ELA), math, social studies, and science. As a 3rd grade teacher at Brooklyn's School for Global Scholars (P.S. 748), I became quite adept at creating an inclusive class environment and managing large classrooms while providing individual care. During my time there, my classes saw an average increase of 20% in competency scores across all subjects. I could bring the same teaching styles and progress-centered approach over to Pleasant View.

I especially admire Pleasant View's "Panther Pledge," where you describe the 5 school values representing PRIDE: perseverance, respect, integrity, determination, and excellence. I would love to contribute to this fantastic school spirit and culture as the next 4th-grade elementary school teacher.

Could we schedule a phone call or a face-to-face to discuss how my teaching skills can help Pleasant View succeed and meet its goals in the coming school year?

Thank you,

Francine Dubileaux

401-852-3697

francine.dubileaux@gmail.com

How about that? Francine will surely be considered for an interview with this teaching cover letter. She presented her relevant experience and said what she’d do if given the position. Her letter feels professional and heartfelt at the same time.

However, not every teacher has the same level of experience as her. If you’re applying for an entry-level teaching position, you should take a look at our second example. It shows a cover letter for first-year teachers.

The next teacher cover letter example belongs to Nicole. She is fresh out of a university and eager to become a teacher for the first time. Though Nicole here hasn’t had any paid teaching experience, her entry-level teacher cover letter shows she’s got the drive, determination, transferable skills, and academic competence to be a great addition to the school’s teaching staff.

Sample Cover Letter for a Teacher (Without Experience)

Nicole Plumtone

222-333-4444

nicole.plumtone@email.com

linkedin.com/in/nicole.plumtone

Providence, August 10, 2019

Aaron C. Hoskins

Assistant Principal

Pleasant View School

50 Obadiah Brown Rd.

Providence, RI 02909

Dear Aaron,

As a recent graduate with a newly obtained Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, I was excited when I happened across your advertisement looking for a new 2nd-grade teacher at Pleasant View Elementary School. Having completed 120 hours of student teaching in a 1st-grade classroom, I was awarded Rhode Island’s Initial Educator Certificate. As a parent whose child has recently enrolled in your school for the next academic year, I am fond of Pleasant View’s teaching program and educational culture. I believe I would make a great fit within the staff as the new 2nd-grade teacher.

The teacher job description states you are looking for a candidate with “experience providing differentiated instruction, cultivating an environment allowing for independence, and supporting self-directed study.” Not only is this my own brand of teaching method, but I also admire a school that actively promotes such practice in its staff. During my certification period and throughout my student teaching hours as a teacher assistant, I further developed my educational skills, leadership abilities, and classroom knowledge. I would love the chance to help Pleasant View progress into the coming years while educating a new generation of young minds.

Could we schedule a phone call or a face-to-face to discuss how my student teaching skills could translate to the elementary teacher position and help Pleasant View succeed and meet its goals in the coming school year?

Sincerely,

Nicole Plumtone

222-333-4444

nicole.plumtone@email.com

Well, there you have it! This teacher cover letter example expresses enthusiasm and shows how Nicole’s academic experience helped her gain the skills and knowledge needed for this teaching job.

You’ve just seen two prime teacher cover letter examples for both experienced educators and entry-level instructors. Now, let’s go through, step by step, and see how you can write a teacher cover letter that earns a gold star sticker.

Don’t have your teacher resume ready yet? Read our guide on teaching resumes here: Teacher Resume Sample

What to Include in a Teacher Cover Letter

Writing a teaching cover letter can be quick and easy if you know the right approach. First, let’s talk about what you should include there:

Applicant’s contact information and the date of writing
School’s address and the hiring manager’s (or principal’s) name
Professional salutation, such as Dear Mr. Catsbrough
Attention-grabbing opening statement
Overview of your qualifications for the position
Explanation of why this position is the best fit for you
Closing statement and a proposition to meet
Professional sing-off, such as Best regards, and your name
Optional postscript

Follow the steps outlined below, and soon, you’ll have a professional cover letter for teaching positions to show off to prospective employers. Each section below has quick and easy fill-in-the-blank cover letter templates for teachers, teaching assistants, substitute teachers, and other educators.

How to Write a Cover Letter for a Teaching Job

Here’s how to write a cover letter for a teaching job:

1. Stick to Business Cover Letter Formatting Rules

The principal’s office can be intimidating, whether you’re a student in trouble or a teaching job applicant. While a student only needs to break a rule to get sent there, your teacher cover letter must impress them thoroughly to get you called in. And before you put pen to paper, there are several rules to follow. These will ensure your cover letter for teaching positions earns a hmm! of approval rather than a harumph of derision.

Here’s how to format a cover letter:

Align the contents of your teacher cover letter to the left.
Apply single-line spacing throughout, except for a double space in between paragraphs.
Use a 1” margin as a border around all 4 sides of your cover letter.
Pick a standard cover letter font that is immediately legible (e.g., Calibri, Cambria).
Stick to an 11pt or 12pt font size through the body text of your teaching cover letter.

How long should a teaching cover letter be? Stay within one page to get that perfect length of a cover letter.

2. Create a Professional Teacher Cover Letter Header With Contact Info

The first rule for preparing your teacher cover letter heading area? Make it identical to the one on your teacher resume. Both the teaching cover letter and teaching resume header need to display your name and contact details. Your job title or branding statement is optional.

Since a cover letter for teacher jobs is a formal affair, add the date of writing, followed by the address of the hiring principal or school board member.

Use this template for the contact details part:

Teacher Cover Letter Template: Header

[ Your First & Last Name ]

[ Job Title or Branding Statement ] (Optional)

[ Phone Number ]

[ Email Address ]

[ LinkedIn URL ]

[ Date of Writing ]

[ Asst. Principal or Principal’s Full Name ]

[ Their Position Title ]

[ School Name ]

[ School Street Address ]

[ City, State, Zip Code ]

3. Identify the Teaching Position to Which You’re Applying & Introduce Yourself

Whether you’re applying to be a substitute teacher, history teacher, or teacher assistant, the opening of a cover letter for teaching positions has to do one thing: satisfy the principal, so they’ll want to keep reading.

Begin the cover letter by introducing yourself and stating the exact teaching position you’re applying for (e.g., kindergarten teacher, 2nd-grade teacher assistant). Also, give a quick summary of your qualifications, including your teaching skills and experience.
Address them by name in the first paragraph. Research the school online to identify who the principal and assistant principal are.

Here’s a fill-in-the-blank intro template for your use or reference:

Teacher Cover Letter Template: Introduction

Dear [Principal’s Name]:

I was excited when I came across the job advertisement for the [Teaching Position] with [School’s Name]. As a [Teaching Position] with [# of Years] experience and being highly skilled in [Teaching Skills, Classroom Knowledge, Leadership Abilities, Etc.], I am certain that I am an ideal candidate for this teaching position.

This is a template for teacher cover letters with a bit of experience. If you’re writing a new teacher cover letter, follow our entry-level example at the beginning.

Expert Hint: Try to show you’re proactive as a teacher candidate. Have you learned novel teaching methods or frameworks (e.g., OECD Learning Framework 2030)? Mention it in your cover letter for a teaching position to surely impress them.

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4. Highlight Relevant Educational Strengths & Teaching Skills

You’ve established your background in the first paragraph of the teacher cover letter. The following paragraph needs to refer to the teacher job requirements for the position you’re applying for.

Look at the job advertisement to locate particular skills and abilities they require. Explain to the hiring manager how you meet and exceed their expectations. Highlight an example or two of a past teaching accomplishment or how you faced a particular challenge.

You might use this template:

Teacher Cover Letter Template: Middle Paragraph

In the job ad, you stated you’re searching for a [Teaching Position] adept at [Particular Teaching Skill Mentioned in the Job Ad]. At my last position at [Former School’s Name], I successfully [A Few Responsibilities and Teaching Duties, Using Numbers to Quantify, Whenever Possible]. I know I can bring similar results over to [School’s Name].

Expert Hint: Teacher turnover is high throughout the United States. If you show the hiring principal or faculty member you’re in it for the long haul, you’ll put yourself far ahead of the other applicants.

5. Explain Why You Want to Teach at This School

The third paragraph of a teacher cover letter is all about compliments. Hiring a teacher who’s an effective educator is one thing. But, the principal and faculty also want to hire a teacher who is eager to teach at this particular school.

So… Compliment them. Congratulate their school’s values, team spirit, or academic standing. Let them easily picture you in the role.

If you’re unsure, feel free to use this teacher cover letter template:

Teaching Cover Letter Template: Your Motivation

I especially admire [School’s Name] for [Something You Hold in High Regard]. The school’s culture and value statement entirely mirrors my beliefs and values. Obtaining the teaching position at your school would be the ideal chance for me to progress as an educator and further develop my teaching skills, all while providing a pleasant, inclusive, and effective learning environment at [School’s Name].

6. Close It Out Using a Clear Call to Action and a Fitting Sign-Off

When ending a cover letter, ask for a meeting in person or a call. Emphasize your proposal, and request an appointment to discuss further how you can bring value to their teaching faculty.

Here is a sample teacher cover letter ending to use as a guide:

Teacher Cover Letter Template: Call to Action & Formal Closing

Could we schedule a phone call or a face-to-face to discuss how my teaching skills can help [Name of School] succeed and meet its goals in the coming school year?

Sincerely,

[Full Name]

[Phone Number]

[Email Address]

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Key Points

Here’s how to write a cover letter for teaching positions:

Format your teacher cover letter as you would a formal business letter.
Address the principal, assistant principal, or other hiring faculty member by name.
Introduce yourself as a teaching candidate, state the teaching post you are applying to, and give them a brief run-through of your background.
Underline relevant accomplishments, past teaching jobs, and academic skills to show them you can handle any teaching responsibilities they throw at you.
Show that you’re motivated and dedicated to being a part of this school’s staff.
End with a cover letter teacher call to action requesting a call or interview to discuss further.

Got any application letter questions? Need more assistance writing cover letters for teachers or cover letters for teacher assistant jobs? Head to the comments section below and leave a message. We’ll be happy to help!

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