Whether you’re sending out resumes hoping to land your first teaching job or looking to shift to a new school or district, one fact remains the same: All the best credentials, experience, and passion could go unnoticed without a strong teacher cover letter. Take a look at our top tips for crafting a compelling letter, as well examples worth emulating.
Plus, click the button below to grab a copy of our cover letter tips and tricks for teachers, as well as a template and guide to help you write a letter that lands you the interview.
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is your chance to introduce yourself to the hiring manager for a job. Originally, these printed letters were included in the envelope with a resume and mailed to the company. The letter served the purpose of stating what job the person was applying for, and summarizing their qualifications.
Today, nearly all applications and resumes are submitted electronically, so you might wonder if a cover letter is really needed. While they’re not required, a well-written cover letter can draw attention to your application and resume. They’re usually shared as an electronic file along with your resume; most application systems provide an opportunity to upload your teacher cover letter. If not, you might consider making it part of your resume file for that application.
Why does a cover letter matter?
“A great cover letter won’t get you the job if you’re not qualified, but it can make a hiring manager notice you in a sea of applicants and encourage them to interview you when you otherwise might have been overlooked,” notes Alison Green of the popular workplace advice site Ask a Manager.
“A good cover letter can be such an effective way of boosting your application that I’m always amazed by how many candidates don’t bother to take advantage of the opportunity they offer,” she continues. Most of the cover letters Green has seen are “truly awful.” But when a letter is thoughtful and well-written, they can help an applicant stand out above the rest.
What should a cover letter contain?
Think of your cover letter like what’s known as “the elevator pitch.” Imagine you have the time between the elevators closing on one floor and opening again on another floor to sell yourself. Instead of rehashing everything on your resume, use the space to craft a paragraph or two that will convince them you are a standout candidate and are worth moving on to the next step.
Read the job description and find the overlap between the skills you bring to the table and the skills they need. If the job description calls for certain qualities or uses specific language, repeat them in your cover letter! The ultimate goal for your cover letter is to say, “You’ve got a problem? I’m the ideal person to solve it.” Be professional and use concrete examples from your own experiences, both professional and personal.
Can you reuse a cover letter?
It’s important to tailor each and every cover letter to fit the specific school, district, and job for which you’re applying. Research the school and its culture. That way, you can address their expectations and also use specific examples of achievements in your history to show why you’re the right candidate for the position.
That doesn’t mean you have to start from scratch each time. Once you have a general cover letter style you like, you’ll be able to reuse large pieces of it over and over again, shortening the process. You may even find it helpful to keep a “bank” of body paragraphs you can pull from, based on the particular job you’re applying for.
Teacher Cover Letter Guide and Tips
DON’T use the same cover letter for every job.
DO personalize each letter, customizing it for the school and position.
Personalizing a letter means more than just changing out the job title. Use this opportunity to explain why you’re a good match for this particular job. Show the hiring manager that you’ve taken the time to learn more about their school, and consider why you’re a good fit for the role.
DON’T just repeat or highlight what’s on your resume.
DO include anecdotes or personal accomplishments that relate to the job, but might not belong on a resume.
Remember the purpose of your cover letter: to show the hiring manager who you are. Your resume lists the facts of your accomplishments. Your cover letter is a place to add a personality to those facts. It can be a good opportunity to include relevant personal experiences that don’t necessarily belong on a resume. Help the hiring manager get to know you a bit, so they’ll be interested in following up.
DON’T write too formally.
DO use a personal, warm tone that reflects your overall communication style.
By their very nature, resumes tend to use fairly stilted, unnatural language. But teachers need strong communication skills, and the tone of your letter can demonstrate yours. Strive for a professional but conversational style that avoids overly formal language. It’s okay to use a bit of humor, too.
DON’T make generalized statements about your abilities.
DO illustrate your statements with specific details.
Every candidate for the job will assure the hiring manager that they’re “great at building parent-teacher relationships” or “committed to diversity.” Unless you provide compelling examples that demonstrate your abilities, the hiring manager has no reason to believe you. Instead, share a story about a time when you developed a relationship with a parent that made a real difference in a child’s education, or tell them about a specific project or activity that acknowledged and embraced your students’ diverse characteristics. These anecdotes are what bring your cover letter (and in turn, you yourself) to life for the reader.
DON’T use gimmicks or aggressive language in your opening or closing statements.
DO clearly state your interest in the specific job you’re applying for.
You might have heard that you need to be aggressive in selling yourself: “You can stop reading applications, because I’m the teacher you’re looking for!” But that rarely lands well. You can also skip gimmicks like, “If you want to hear the rest of this story, call me for an interview!” Keep your opening and closing paragraphs simple, stating your interest and expressing your hope to meet with them in person to discuss the job further.
DON’T dash off your letter and send it right away.
DO spend time planning, writing, revising, and proofreading.
You don’t need to spend an inordinate amount of time on your letter, but do set aside an hour or two for this task. Once you have a general cover letter style you like, you’ll be able to reuse large pieces of it over and over again, shortening the process. Be sure to revise and edit, reading the letter out loud to see if the tone sounds natural. Proofread carefully, and consider asking someone else to give it a quick look too before you include it with your application materials.
25 Teacher Cover Letter Examples
These real-life examples offer ideas to inspire you as you craft your own. Important: Don’t copy and reuse a whole letter or even large chunks of one; that’s plagiarism. Besides, you want your letter to reflect your own voice and personality. Read
1. First-time teacher
This letter is friendly and enthusiastic. It uses concrete examples and experiences related to student teaching while showcasing exactly why the applicant wants to become a teacher.
Learn more: First-time teacher at LiveAbout
2. Another first-time teacher example
This version of a cover letter calls out the specific skills the applicant has and hopes to bring to the table.
Learn more: Another first-time teacher example at OLAS
3. Experienced elementary teacher
Not every teacher stays in their job until retirement. If you’re looking for a new position, your cover letter should clearly state your experience. This example also makes it obvious that the candidate researched the new district and discusses why she would be excited to join. The candidate also includes references at the bottom of the cover letter.
Learn more: Experienced elementary teacher at Monster
4. Another experienced elementary teacher example
It doesn’t hurt to have additional examples! This teacher cover letter clearly showcases the school’s goals and addresses how this teacher specifically can help. She did her research!
Learn more: Another experienced elementary teacher at LiveAbout
5. Summer school teacher
As school lets out for summer, many teachers still need to earn an income. With competition tight, this cover letter stands out as the candidate states her qualifications as well as her ability to train other staff members.
Learn more: Summer school teacher at Cover Letters and Resume
6. Assistant teacher
With this letter, the applicant took a slightly different approach. The letter breaks down the most relevant accomplishments into bullet points. Those will jump out at the hiring manager, who will likely scan through a ton of applications.
Learn more: Assistant teacher at LiveCareer
7. Special education teacher
This letter is similar to a standard teacher cover letter, yet it also stresses the specific qualifications and experiences of a special ed teacher. For example, this candidate included how they modified the curriculum to meet the needs of a wide range of learners. In this particular cover letter example, the teacher was looking to move into a leadership role, so this serves as a template for someone looking to transition into management as well.
Learn more: Special education teacher at JobHero
8. School guidance counselor
This cover letter emphasizes the applicant’s academic achievements, especially with regard to the psychology education required for many counselor positions. It also talks about the characteristics that make this person the ideal candidate for this position.
Learn more: School guidance counselor at Great Sample Resume
9. Another school guidance counselor example
We liked this cover letter because it pulls specific metrics that are not in the resume—including the number of students the candidate worked with and the funding obtained for special needs programs.
Learn more: School guidance counselor at Zety
10. Library media specialist
This cover letter oozes confidence! As with any specialist position, the candidate hones in on how her specific skills and background make her qualified for this role.
Learn more: Library media specialist at LiveCareer
11. High school English teacher
This cover letter covers a lot of ground. It points out the candidate’s strengths for teaching and assessing knowledge in the specific subject. It also presents the special techniques the candidate uses to teach students at the high school level.
Learn more: High school English teacher at Great Sample Resume
12. Technology teacher
Taking a very professional approach to writing a cover letter shows that the contender is serious. This letter points out the specific skills that best prove why this candidate is a great fit for the position.
Learn more: Technology teacher at LiveCareer
13. Music teacher
A music teacher requires knowledge of multiple instruments and a love of music and music theory. This cover letter showcases the candidate’s background and why they feel music is an important part of the education experience.
Learn more: Music teacher at Best Sample Resume
14. Drama teacher
Drama teachers often go above and beyond just teaching a class. They host auditions and rehearsals for after-school productions. This cover letter shows the candidate’s knowledge of curriculum, directing a show, and even marketing efforts.
Learn more: Drama teacher at Great Sample Resume
15. Foreign language teacher
Foreign language teachers need to display their knowledge of the particular language as well as showcase how well they can immerse students in the culture. This cover letter discusses the teacher’s plans to incorporate curriculum as well as help facilitate the induction of students into the German Honor Society.
Learn more: Foreign language teacher at JobHero
16. Sports coach
This cover letter has a terrific opening line that sets the candidate apart from the get-go. It also clearly covers the candidate’s qualifications, from knowledge and experience to attitude and philosophy. This cover letter example also works well for PE teachers.
Learn more: Sports coach at JobHero
17. ESL teacher
Teaching English as a second language obviously requires a distinct skill set. This cover letter showcases key communication skills and lets the hiring director know the specific language fluency.
Learn more: ESL teacher at LiveCareer
18. Math teacher
Touching on the highlights of their resume without rehashing it completely (who wants to read something twice?), this candidate points out their qualifications and certifications as well as their versatility in teaching different types of students.
Learn more: Math teacher at A+ Resumes for Teachers
19. Pre-K teacher
Teaching pre-K takes patience, creativity, and flexibility. This cover letter effectively highlights the candidate’s communication and problem-solving skills as well as the personal qualities that make them great at their job.
Learn more: Pre-K teacher at LiveCareer
20. Business teacher
This cover letter provides excellent background about the teacher in a way that’s appropriate for business. It shares the necessary information clearly and concisely.
Learn more: Business teacher at LiveCareer
21. International school teacher
Working at an international school requires a certain skill set, and this letter highlights the teacher’s language skills as well as their ability to create effective lessons on relevant topics while providing students with the support they need to succeed.
Learn more: International school teacher at LiveCareer
22. Head teacher cover letter
Serving as a head teacher involves a unique blend of leadership and innovation. This cover letter showcases the candidate’s exceptional communication and leadership skills, essential for coordinating with staff, students, and stakeholders to cultivate a thriving educational environment.
Learn more: Head teacher cover letter example at QwikResume
23. Kindergarten teacher
A kindergarten teacher plays a foundational role in a child’s educational journey, blending creativity with core educational principles. This cover letter highlights the candidate’s proficiency in developing engaging lesson plans and materials tailored to young learners, ensuring the fundamentals of various subjects are delivered in a manner that is both enjoyable and educational.
Learn more: Kindergarten teacher at Kickresume
24. Secondary teacher
Secondary teachers help shape the young minds of students as they transition into adulthood. This cover letter exemplifies the candidate’s adeptness in crafting comprehensive lesson plans and teaching materials that cater to the diverse needs of teens, ensuring that the curriculum resonates with their evolving interests and capabilities.
Learn more: Secondary teacher at Resumaker
25. Art teacher
An art teacher embodies the intersection of creativity and education, nurturing students’ artistic talents and encouraging their expressive capabilities. This cover letter highlights the candidate’s proficiency in designing stimulating lesson plans that explore a wide range of artistic mediums and techniques, from traditional painting and drawing to digital art forms.
Learn more: Art teacher at Resume Genius
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If you are feeling inspired, check out our printable bundle with everything you need to get started on your own cover letter. The bundle includes an editable cover letter template, a sheet to brainstorm and jot down your experience and why it is relevant, and tips and tricks to remember. Just click the button below to receive your bundle.