A teaching cover letter is a written document that is usually submitted together with teaching job application documents, summarizing the applicant’s qualifications and interest in the vacant teaching post.
Below are various reasons why a teaching cover letter is important:
It compensates for a resume that cannot stand on its own
Your resume should be successful even if it isn’t accompanied by a cover letter, but if your resume isn’t as convincing as you thought it was, a cover letter can compensate.
It demonstrates that you are serious about the opportunity
One of the most common concerns is that job candidates forget to send a cover letter. When you apply for a teaching job by merely submitting your CV, the hiring manager may view this as a careless move on your side. The teaching industry requires devoted individuals.
It allows you to emphasize your strengths
Your resume outlines the major accomplishments you achieved in your most recent employment. However, if you might be limited to one page or two or have much relevant experience, you may be compelled to forgo certain details in favor of length. You can clarify and highlight a few significant experiences from your CV in your teaching cover letter.
It demonstrates your writing abilities
Resumes follow tight guidelines, including bullet points and short, choppy sentences. You can write more fluently if you use a cover letter. Because employers want to see that you can communicate effectively on paper, a decent teaching cover letter gets you off to a good start.
It lays the ground for the follow-up
Rather than leaving the next step up to the employer, utilize your teaching cover letter to take charge of the follow-up procedure. In the final paragraph, provide a precise date and time when you will contact them. The follow-up in your teaching cover letter avoids the waiting game, allowing you to proceed to an interview or another job vacancy.
How to Write a Teaching Cover Letter
Writing an effective teaching cover letter is a vital step in the job search process. For this reason, you should spend some time crafting a teaching cover letter to express your interest in the position. The following is a comprehensive guide on how to write a teaching cover letter.
Step 1: Header
The header forms the topmost part of the cover letter. You should include the following:
Date and your personal details
Write your official name in full, followed by the job title for the post you are applying for. In this context, indicate that you are a teacher. Also, include valid contact details. This should include your physical/postal address, email address, LinkedIn, and telephone number (not necessarily all of them). Indicate your city below your address followed by the date you write your cover letter.
Employer’s details
Write the full name of the hiring manager of the institution that you are aspiring to work in if it is known. This should be followed by the position title of the addressee of the cover letter, the name of the school/college you desire to work in, and its address. The address should include the city, street address, and ZIP code. This assists the recipient to truly know that the cover letter is addressed to their institution.
Step2: Introduction
This section serves as the opening to your cover letter. It includes the following:
Salutation
Start your teaching cover letter with a salutation and the addressee’s name if it is known. If you don’t have their name, you may use the phrase “Dear hiring manager.”
Briefly introduce yourself
In the first statement of your introduction, inform the hiring manager who you are (not by name, but by stating your personality and skills).
State why you are interested
Briefly express why you are interested in the post and what makes you competitive for the teaching job.
Step 3: Body
This section gives more information about you and expresses why you are fit for the job. It would be best if you were keen to include the following:
List your key skills
It is critical to include a few essential hard and soft skills in your cover letter to win the teaching position you want. Highlighting such skills enables the hiring manager to swiftly determine whether you have acquired the skills required to educate the pupils/students. Examples of hard teaching skills include lesson planning, foreign language skills, smart boards, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and computer skills. The soft skills required in the teaching industry include communication skills, interpersonal skills, leadership skills, conflict management, organizational skills, and time management skills.
Quantify your achievements
You should make an effort to quantify your teaching-related achievements in as many ways as you can. This will provide the recruiting manager with additional information about your triumphs and also show the kind of help you can offer their team if hired. It is important to consider highlighting the achievements that are closely interlinked with the job specifications and state teaching-related certifications that you have.
You may consider relating your accomplishments to the following:
- How many pupils did you have in your classes?
- How many awards have you received for exemplary performance in your teaching career?
- How many coworkers have you assisted in training?
- What proportion of your pupils gets high marks?
Describe your experience
Highlight your years of relevant experience along with the qualifications that make you the best candidate for the job. If you are new to the teaching career, it is recommended that you include details about your teaching experience during your internship.
Include work-related outside of the classroom
It is wise to include non-teaching experiences, especially those that relate to working with children. This will help to improve your teaching cover letter, especially if you are new to the industry.
Match your cover letter to job requirements
It would be wise only to include details that are purely related to the job requirements. This will grab the attention of the hiring manager and increase your chances of getting hired.
Below are several ways that can help you match your cover letter to the job requirements:
- Researching the school/college
Do in-depth research about the institution and include some facts about it in your cover letter. This will impress the hiring manager as they will see that you truly know how the institution operates. Additionally, elaborate on how your skills and expertise will contribute to the success of the students and the whole institution at large. - Add relevant keywords to your teaching cover letter
Obtain keywords from the job requirements and add them to your cover letter. This will ensure that your application is accepted by the applicant tracking system (ATS). - Express your enthusiasm for the job
This will increase your chances of securing the teaching position because it shows that you are passionate about the job. For example, you may state that you are eager to help the school adopt some teaching methods that you feel are effective.
Step 4: Conclusion
Conclude your cover letter with a strong closing statement and include a call to action. Also, remember to thank the prospective employer/ hiring manager for their time and consideration. At this point, you may restate your qualifications show your interest in proceeding to the interview stage. End the cover letter by signing off; use phrases such as “Yours sincerely”, followed by a signature, and your name below the signature.
Teaching Cover Letter Samples
Following are some samples provided for you:
Sample 1
Virginia Rose
21 UpStreet,
New Jersey, CA 91010
Home: (333) 122-7007 | Cell: (333) 122-7117
Email address
08/11/2021
Davis Lato
St Peter’s Junior School
367 Heavens Way
Wonderland, CA
(444) 494-2338
Subject: English teacher
Dear Ms. Lato,
I was extremely joyful to see you’re posting for a grade 3 English teacher at St Peter’s Junior School. Looking at your requirements, I trust I’m the best match for this position.
I have a basic degree in English and Linguistics from New Jersey state university and eight years of experience teaching English in various schools in New Jersey. In my current position, I teach a group of 25 students in grade 3 at Highway Schools. I prepare my students for challenging tests and instill leadership skills in them. Over the past two years, English was ranked as the best performing subject in Grade 3.
I have attached all the requirements you have stipulated in your advert, including my resume for further details about my skills, expertise, and qualifications. I believe my input at St Peter’s Junior School will go a long way in improving the English langue of your students.
I’m available for more discussions about this role at any time.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Virginia Rose
Sample 2
Subject: Elementary teacher- Joy Matthews
Dear Ms. Precious,
I read your posting for an elementary teacher a Yakob Elementary School with joy. I’m a skilled and responsible teacher with much dedication to building a wealth of knowledge in our children. In this respect, I submit my application for this position.
Currently, I teach elementary students at Joyland Elementary School. I am confident I will be a great asset to your institution. With slightly over nine years in Elementary education, I pride myself in several achievements that include:
• Utilizing creativity to instruct my student
• Working with parents to address learning challenges in their children
• Teaching over 20 elementary students
• Guiding, motivating, and supporting students to achieve their education goals
• Developing lesson plans suitable for my students
• Listening and counseling students
Besides my achievements, personal qualities, and experience, I have a concrete educational foundation and passion for seeing the best in my students. I’m incredibly excited by your focus on teacher-parent support policy and would lie to be part of your winning team.
Please feel free to contact me for further discussion on my skills, experience, and expectations for this role.
I’m grateful for your time.
Sincerely,
Joy Matthews
Teaching Cover Letter Examples
Cover letter samples are very crucial in the process of writing a teaching cover letter. The samples serve as a guide towards what your tailored cover letter should resemble, both in structure and the elements that should be included. However, it is wrong to use the samples and later submit them as your cover letter. You should customize the cover letter using the examples and ensure that it fits your personal work experience and skills that are necessary for the teaching role.
Below are various examples of teaching cover letters:
First time teacher cover letter
This type of cover letter demonstrates why the applicant wants to be a teacher by using real examples and experiences linked to teaching.
Download: Microsoft Word (.docx)
Experienced elementary teacher cover letter
This cover letter is usually used by teachers who are looking for new positions in the teaching profession. In this cover letter, ensure that you include your experience in your career while showcasing the goals of the school and how you are going to assist the institution in achieving the goals. It is also wise to include references at the end of the cover letter for the experienced elementary teacher.
Download: Microsoft Word (.docx)
Summer school teacher cover letter
It refers to a cover letter written when applying for a teaching job during summer. This cover letter should also be outstanding to grab the attention of the hiring manager.
Download: Microsoft Word (.docx)
Assistant teacher cover letter
This is usually written by an applicant who is seeking a teaching assistant position. It also takes a formal approach and includes the relevant skills and experiences.
Download: Microsoft Word (.docx)
Special education teacher cover letter
This letter is comparable to a typical teaching cover letter, except it emphasizes the unique credentials and experiences needed to handle students with special needs.
Download: Microsoft Word (.docx)
School counselor cover letter
This cover letter highlights the applicant's academic accomplishments, particularly in the psychology background, which is necessary for many counseling jobs. It should also include the applicant's personality, skills, and expertise that make the applicant the best fit for the position.
Download: Microsoft Word (.docx)
Library media specialist cover letter-
This cover letter should exude self-confidence of a very high degree. Like in any expert post, the candidate should explain how his/her skills and experience make them ideal for the job.
Download: Microsoft Word (.docx)
High school English teacher cover letter
It is a subject-specific cover letter. For this reason, the applicant must demonstrate his or her ability to teach and assess knowledge in the specified subject. It is also important to demonstrate the unique approaches he/she use when teaching high school students.
Download: Microsoft Word (.docx)
Technology teacher cover letter
You should take a formal approach when writing this type of cover letter. It would be best to highlight your specific skills and experiences that make you ideal for the job.
Download: Microsoft Word (.docx)
Music teacher cover letter
This cover letter should highlight the applicant's relevant experience and why they believe music is a vital component of the educational experience. The applicant should point out the musical instruments they can play and also express their ability to deliver music knowledge to students.
Download: Microsoft Word (.docx)
Drama teacher cover letter
This cover letter should express the candidate's knowledge, skill, and experience in teaching drama sessions. It requires knowledge beyond the level of teaching classwork, including the ability to direct a show or a program.
Download: Microsoft Word (.docx)
Foreign language teacher cover letter
In your cover letter, demonstrate your mastery of the specific language and your ability to deliver the knowledge to students.
Download: Microsoft Word (.docx)
Sports coach cover letter
You need to state your qualifications, certifications, skills, and experience as a sports coach. You also need to express your attitude towards the profession and why you believe that you are the best fit for the job.
Download: Microsoft Word (.docx)
ESL teacher cover letter
It is a type of cover letter written by English teachers who can teach English as a second language. In your cover letter, ensure that you mention your key communication skills and your mastery of the English language so that the hiring manager may consider your application for the post.
Download: Microsoft Word (.docx)
Math teacher cover letter
When applying for a Math teacher job, ensure that you mention your skills, certification, experience, and your versatility in teaching different Math concepts to different students.
Download: Microsoft Word (.docx)
Tips for Writing Good Cover Letter
Below are some tips that may help you to craft an outstanding teaching cover letter:
Customize your cover letter
Begin your cover letter customization by searching for teaching cover letter templates and samples, which should guide you through customizing your cover letter.
Take your time
Take your time to read and understand the job requirements before starting the cover letter writing process. This will help you establish which skills are relevant to include in your cover letter. Also, ensure that you spend enough time proofreading your cover letter and correct all the typos and grammar mistakes. A clear message might inspire the hiring manager to consider your application.
Keep it short and sweet
Hiring managers usually don’t have a lot of time to read the cover letters and other job application materials. For this reason, you should make sure that your cover letter is short but should cover every necessary detail. Also, ensure that you use captivating words and phrases to convince the hiring manager that you qualify to proceed to the interview stage.
Emphasize why you are a great match
Insist on why you are the best fit for the job by highlighting your relevant skills. Also, restate the specific qualities included in the job requirements and emulate the language used in the description of job requirements while ensuring professionalism throughout your cover letter. You may also state what contributions you will make when hired.
Individualize
Ensure that you write a different cover letter each time you are applying for a job. This is because each job post usually has different specifications.
Conclusion
Securing a teaching job may be challenging, especially if you are not in a position to write an outstanding cover letter. However, writing a good cover letter might be simpler if you follow the guidelines given in this article.
