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How to Write an Effective New Teacher Cover Letter

How to write a new teacher cover letter (resource-Indeed.com)

While your resume outlines your education and relevant job experience, your cover letter reiterates your professional and academic highlights and adds context to your application. Try to include the following components in your first-year teacher cover letter:

1. Include your academic credentials

When you're applying for your first teaching job, focus on your academic credentials rather than your limited professional experience. Include any certificates you have earned, too. Both can show you have the academic background to provide students with the necessary knowledge.

2. Describe your student teaching experience

As a new teacher, you may not have much professional experience to discuss. Instead, use your student teaching experience to highlight your work in the classroom. Many teacher preparation programs give their students plenty of opportunities to work with schools and students throughout their education.

3. List your teaching skills and specialties

In your cover letter, discuss key technical skills for teachers, such as managing classrooms and developing personalized learning plans. You may have developed these skills as part of your student teaching experience or through your research during your training and education. You can also explain how you plan to continue learning these skills.

4. Include relevant soft skills

Your cover letter is the ideal place to showcase your soft skills. You can mention important abilities like patience, organization, enthusiasm and reliability. Soft skills apply to many roles, but including some in your cover letter can help you explain your full skill set to a potential employer.

5. Describe your experience with technology

To show your ability to help students use available learning tools, highlight the platforms you're comfortable with and the technology you typically use. This can include computer programs, cell phones and the interactions between them. You may also be interested in bringing new technology to schools to help students learn more effectively, which you can describe in your cover letter.

6. Describe why you're a good match

Your cover letter also discusses why you're interested in the position and why you're a good candidate for the job. This can include your passion for students and teaching or other factors that motivate you to teach. Many schools monitor these for new teachers instead of previous teaching experience.

Related: Learn About Being a Teacher

Tips for new teacher cover letters

Below are tips you can use to write your cover letter:

Keep it concise

To increase your chance of securing employment , make your cover letter clear and concise. Rather than writing a lengthy cover letter, keep it to one page. This allows the recipient to read it quickly.

Include keywords

As you write your cover letter, review the job description and reread the requirements for the position. If you have the required qualifications, mention them in your cover letter. This step is a good way to show that you took the time to read the job description carefully and that you're an excellent fit for the position.

Highlight your top skills and major achievements

While your resume might include all your technical and soft skills, your cover letter is the ideal place to highlight your most important skills and achievements. Try to be selective by including only your most advanced accomplishments and skills mentioned in the job listing. This shows you were attentive to the job description details and know what your best skills and achievements are.

Customize your cover letter for each job application

Your cover letters may be similar if you apply to multiple teaching jobs. Each time you write a cover letter, customize it for the job and organization in question. Consider discussing why you are interested in working for the organization and why you're an excellent candidate for the specific job.

Make it easy to read

To increase the chance that your cover letter is noticeable, make it as easy as possible to read. Use a standard font, preferably the same one that your resume uses. Include less than three or four sentences in each paragraph to ensure that they're short and easy to skim. Consider double-spacing your cover letter to add white space, too.

New teacher cover letter template

Below is a template you can use as a guide when you write your cover letter:

[First name] [Last name], [Degree or certification if applicable]

[Phone number] | [Email address]

[City], [State] [Zip code]

[Date]

[Company name]

Option 1

Dear [Hiring manager's first name] [Hiring manager's last name],

Option 2

Dear hiring manager,

Paragraph 1

[Express excitement for the position, including the role title and the company name]. [Introduce yourself by explaining why you're applying for the job and how the job aligns with your career goals and what specifically draws you to the company].

Paragraph 2

[Explain your relevant experience and qualifications without repeating what's in your resume]. [Highlight one to two relevant achievements with facts and data when possible]. [Explain why you're a good fit for the company.] [Optional - address employment gap or career transition].

Paragraph 3

[Express gratitude]. [Summarize qualification]. [Restate interest in role]. [Call to action + availability and preferred contact method]

[Complimentary close]

[Signature]

Download New Teacher Cover Letter Template

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First-year teacher cover letter example

Use the samples below as a reference when writing your own first-year teacher cover letter:

First-year elementary school teacher cover letter

Below is an example of a first-year teacher's cover letter to an elementary school:

Hannah Lee

212-555-8888 | hannah.lee@email.com | New York City, New York 11110

July 1, 2022

Pat Smith

Edison Elementary School

123 School St.

New York City, New York 11101

Dear Ms. Smith,

I'm writing to apply for the third-grade teacher position at Edison Elementary School. While earning my elementary education studies at Columbia University, I gained extensive student teaching experience with third- and fourth-grade students. I believe that my commitment to teaching in urban settings and my passion for helping children with special needs make me uniquely able to fill this position and contribute to the New York public school mission to shape the leaders of tomorrow.

My student teaching experience in urban schools has prepared me to teach children with a variety of needs in Midtown Manhattan. I have extensive experience with major digital teaching platforms, and I am committed to helping students master technology to better prepare them for their future. I'm also fluent in Mandarin and have intermediate Spanish skills, so I can communicate effectively with the majority of the student population.

As a teacher, I'm strongly committed to empowering children to acquire new skills and amplify their own unique skills. I'm certified to teach in New York, and I have endorsements in bilingual education, technology education and mathematics. I'm currently studying to obtain additional endorsements in social science and earth and space science.

I'd appreciate the opportunity to discuss this third-grade teacher position with you in person. Thank you for your consideration. I'm excited to talk with you further.

Sincerely,

Hannah Lee

New high school teacher cover letter

Below is an example of a first-year teacher's cover letter to a high school:

Lucy Chen

212-333-7777 | lucy.chen@email.com | New York City, New York 11110

July 1, 2022

Lee Johnson

Edison High School

123 High School St.

New York City, New York 11101

Dear Mr. Johnson,

I'm submitting my application for the biology teacher role at Edison High School. As a 2020 graduate of Barnard College, I already have extensive student teaching experience at the high school level. I believe that together, my commitment to teaching students in urban and suburban settings and my passion for reaching students with a wide range of needs make me a strong candidate for this New York public school position.

Thanks to my student-teaching work, I'm prepared to teach high school from a variety of backgrounds in Lower Manhattan. I have two years of experience working with digital education platforms, as I believe technology is essential for helping students prepare for their academic and professional futures.

I'm certified to teach high school in New York, and I have endorsements in science, biology and earth science. I'm studying to obtain additional endorsements in chemistry and physics, which I expect to receive by the end of this year.

I'd appreciate the opportunity to discuss this Biology Teacher position with you further. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Lucy Chen