Whether you're a recent education graduate or a seasoned teacher, writing a distinctive resume is essential when applying for a job at a new school. According to the University of the Incarnate Word, a resume is more than a list of your credentials; it's a "sales brochure," or marketing tool that sets out to prove to the principal that you are the ideal candidate for the available teaching position. The key to a great teacher resume is highlighting your most impressive qualities and accomplishments.

Write a header with your name, address, phone number, and email address centered at the top of the page. Create a professional email address for job application purposes.

Write your "Education" section, which must include both degrees and certification. If you have a few of each, create a separate "Certification" section. List your degrees and certificates in reverse chronological order and include the name of the university, your major and minor, the date you graduated or expect to graduate (or, in the case of certificates, the date you received or expect to receive the certificate), and your G.P.A., if it is impressive.

Write your "Experience" section. List each of your past teaching jobs, beginning with the most recent and moving backward. Include the name of the school, your dates of employment, and your title, for example: "Freshman Biology Teacher."

Write a list of three to five responsibilities you held beneath each job title. Make a strong impression on your potential employer by tailoring these lists specifically toward the job in question. For example, the teaching job you are applying for may include sponsoring one of the school's organizations. In this case, you should include beneath at least one of your jobs a time when you fulfilled such a responsibility, such as "Sponsored Ac-Dec team and led group to regional finals in 2005."

Write a "Related Experience" section if you have volunteered or performed other work in an education-related field. If you are a recent graduate, these jobs should be listed under your "Experience" section. Examples include tutoring, private lessons, and camp counselor positions.

Write a "Skills" section and create a bullet-point list of skills you have that are not explicitly stated elsewhere on your resume. These skills are generally administration-related, such as proficiency with specific computer software; they may, however, also include other skills such as fluency in a foreign language.

Write an "Awards and Accolades" section and create a bullet-point list of any honors you have received in the field of education: from "Teacher of the Month" to articles published in educational journals.