Writing an application letter for a teaching position may be more of a challenge than you expect. Applicants need to bring up their certification to teach, sum up years of training, and clearly state their dedication to educating students. An application letter that does not show why you are the right fit for a specific position can fail to make an impression on a hiring committee. Our application letter for teacher templates and tips can be helpful as you prepare to write your own document. A sample letter and writing guidelines demonstrate how to include the details that will help you get hired for a teaching position.Application Letter for Teacher Template
Application Letter for Teacher Template
Valerie Pratt, a recent college graduate, wrote the letter below. Valerie is applying to an advertised opening for a high school history teacher. She has the teaching certification required by her state and a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in secondary education. Valerie also has extensive experience in the classroom as a student teacher.
Dear Ms. Boyd,
I am interested in applying for the history teacher position at Olmstead High School. Last year, I graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in secondary education. I am certified to teach secondary education in the state of Michigan.
I completed my student teaching requirements at East Lansing High School, where I won a student teaching award based on feedback from educators and students. I am committed to making history come alive for young adults and want to bring my knowledge and enthusiasm to the student body at Olmstead High.
Olmstead has some of the highest test scores in the state, and I am confident that I can help you to maintain this standard of excellence. My approach to teaching history focuses on critical competencies, including reading comprehension and knowledge retention. Your field trip program has also attracted a lot of positive attention among educators in this state. I look forward to adding new historical sites to the list of destinations and developing unique lesson plans.
I am dedicated to preparing students for higher education and the jobs of the future. A developed understanding of history is an important element in the educational background of any student. I appreciate your consideration and hope that I can contribute my knowledge and teaching skills to your staff.
Regards,
Valerie Pratt
How To Write an Application Letter for Teacher
Aspiring teachers need to learn how to write a strong application letter that describes their qualifications for an available position. As you prepare to write an application letter, you should do some research on the school with an available position. This document is likely one of your first opportunities to show how your background and training prepare you to contribute to a learning environment.
Open your application letter with a salutation that addresses the head of a hiring committee or contact for a school or district. If you are unsure who will be reviewing applications, you can open with a standard greeting. It is generally a good idea to avoid the stilted construction “to whom it may concern.” In your first paragraph, you should introduce yourself and give a brief overview of the position you are seeking and your qualifications for this role.
The following paragraphs are an ideal place to go into more detail about your qualifications. You do not need to rewrite your resume in sentence format. Instead, find ways to draw connections between your most important accomplishments and the teaching job you want. Aim to show how your training uniquely qualifies you to teach and contribute to the unique environment of the school offering this position.
Conclude your letter by restating your interest in the position and be sure to thank the hiring manager or whoever will read this letter for his or her consideration. Wrap up with a formal closing, as demonstrated in our application letter for teacher template.
What To Avoid in Your Application Letter for Teacher
Becoming a teacher requires a significant amount of training. It can be easy to dwell on your past preparation in an application letter rather than applying this experience to your future prospects. Rather than making claims about your contributions to schools during your training or previous teaching positions, focus on how your experience prepares you to be an asset to the school where you want to work. Each point you bring up about your background should speak to the requirements for the role for which you are applying.
Your application letter is only one part of the package you submit when you are pursuing a job as an educator. Your document does not need to carry all of the weight of your resume as well as offering an introduction. You should try to go beyond the stated facts.
A broad range of experiences shape an educator’s commitment to teaching, but an application letter usually should not exceed one page. It is important to bring up the most influential parts of your background and clearly demonstrate how they prepare you to excel in a teaching role.
How To Follow Up After Sending Your Application Letter for Teacher
If you do not receive a response within one to two weeks, you may want to follow up on your application for a teaching position. You have several options when it comes to checking in on the status of a position. You can write another short letter or email or call a school or district hiring office. Start by confirming receipt of your application and whether the position for which you applied is still open.
Following up with a letter or email gives you a chance to remind a hiring committee of your skills and interest in the job. It can be more difficult to work this reminder into a phone call or visit in person. Either way, avoid expressing frustration with the pace of the hiring process.
Top 5 Application Letter for Teacher Writing Takeaways
1. Cover all of your bases when it comes to requirements
Many teaching positions require that applicants have a current certification to teach in a specific state. Depending on the grade level, additional educational requirements may apply. Make sure your letter indicates that you meet all of these major specifications.
2. Demonstrate knowledge about the position you want
A vague application letter can look like a form letter. The best way to customize this letter for the job you are seeking is to show that you have done research about the school where you are applying to teach and thought seriously about your role in this educational community.
3. Focus on why you are the best choice for this job
It can be easy to bring up details without making your personal qualifications and the stakes of your application clear. Make sure that every sentence of your letter works toward an overall sense of your ability to succeed in a specific teaching job.
4. Go beyond your resume
A letter that describes your resume in sentence form does not add anything substantive to your application. Find ways to go beyond the basic facts listed on your resume and connect your qualifications to your aspirations.
5. Emphasize your interest
An application letter is often your first chance to make a good impression on a prospective employer. Make sure that your letter conveys your enthusiasm for assuming a new teaching role.
