Without a professional cover letter that leaves an employer wanting more details, even excellent resumes may never get read. When it comes to applying for jobs in education, even the best teacher can use a little self-promotion. By creating a cover letter that gives employers an instant picture of who you are and why you should be hired---something you can easily do in just one page---you will be well on your way to new opportunities.

How to Write Cover Letters for a Teacher Resume

Begin the letter by clearly stating what position you are applying for. This is important because in large school districts, there may be multiple openings for teachers at a number of different middle and high schools. In some school districts, teachers are hired by the district and then assigned to schools. However, if you have heard of an opening at a specific school where you would particularly like to teach, indicate this in your cover letter. End this paragraph by providing details about why you would like to teach in both that particular school district and that particular school.

The second paragraph should succinctly describe your educational background and your teaching experience. You don't need to go into great detail since you are also sending your resume, but you do need to include information about your educational background, when you graduated, whether you have advanced degrees, what certification you hold and details about your teaching experience. It's also important to clearly state what you have taught in the past. For example, if you are a secondary school teacher, cite specific courses you have taught. If you are an elementary teacher, list which grades you have worked with.

In the third paragraph, make yourself stand out from the crowd by providing an overview of workshops and conferences you have attended, leadership roles you have taken within your school, programs you have developed, your work with school clubs or organizations, and activities you have initiated to involve parents in school life.

If you are a new, inexperienced teacher, use this paragraph to discuss any college experiences where you played a leadership role. You can also describe volunteer work that you have done with children or young people.

In the next paragraph, describe your strengths and what you think you would bring to the school. You could mention qualities such as enthusiasm for teaching, willingness to support the school by sponsoring extra-curricular activities and your interest in developing partnerships with your colleagues. If you are a secondary school teacher, you might also discuss your passion for your subject area.

End your cover letter with a short paragraph that thanks the reader for their consideration, and mention that you would appreciate the opportunity for an interview. You could also state that if this particular position is unavailable, you would consider other jobs with the school or the district.