You teach in a fair and diplomatic manner – now it’s time to resign from your position the same way. Leaving a job often comes with a variety of emotions. Whether you hated your position or are sad to go, if you are not careful, your feelings may make your resignation letter sound unprofessional, which could cost you a favorable reference in the future and make your final days in your position awkward and tense.
Clear communication is a key component of successful teaching. In much the same way, your resignation letter needs to use a format that effectively communicates your message to your boss. Use our resignation letter format for a teacher to craft a professional and respectable document. With the help of our writing and formatting tips, you are sure to resign your teaching position with dignity and grace.
Resignation Letter Format for a Teacher
Take a look at the teacher resignation letter below. Shannon Thompson is resigning her position as a 3rd grade teacher at South Valley Elementary School. She already communicated her resignation to her boss, but is now writing a letter for the school administration’s records. Although Shannon feels her boss was disrespectful and unfair on numerous occasions, she remains polite in her message and focuses on positive aspects of her job.
Dear Principal Worthington,
Please accept this letter as my formal resignation from my position as South Valley Elementary School’s 3rd grade teacher. As we already discussed, I am fulfilling my contract requirements of two weeks’ notice. Therefore, my last day will be Friday, December 4th.
I want to express my sincere gratitude to you for giving me the opportunity to learn and teach South Valley for the past five years. I have loved playing a significant role in the children’s education and watching my students develop in both character and intellect. During my tenure, I learned how to communicate more effectively, overcome difficult obstacles, and collaborate with others for the advancement of my students. I will carry these skills with me throughout the rest of my career. Thank you so much for affording me this privilege.
During the course of the next two weeks, I will fill out all necessary paperwork, complete student grades and evaluations, and wrap up my assigned duties. I am happy to train my replacement and assist you in any other way I can to ensure a smooth transition.
I wish you, the school, and all its students and teachers continued success in the future.
Respectfully yours,
Shannon Thompson
Is This a Good Resignation Letter Format for a Teacher? Let’s Check
1. Does the resignation letter include a proper greeting and professional closing?
It sure does! The writer begins with the salutation “Dear Principal Worthington.” This is a professional letter likely to remain in the school’s records for years to come. So, even if she normally addresses her boss by his first name, she correctly addresses him by his professional title in the letter. She includes wishes for continued success and signs off with “Respectfully yours” for a professional closing.
2. Does this letter communicate the writer’s resignation immediately in the first sentence?
Unquestionably! The writer of our example gets straight to the point by stating her resignation in the first sentence, including the position of her title and the name of the school. Furthermore, she uses her introductory paragraph to clearly communicate her last day of employment, referring to her contract to avoid any confusion.
3. Does the writer in the resignation letter thank her employer for her job?
Yes. The teacher dedicates the next portion of her letter to thanking her boss for the opportunity to work in the school. Although she dislikes her boss, she does not use this section of the letter to air out a laundry list of grievances. Rather, she identifies aspects of the job she enjoyed and mentions a few key skills and lessons she learned throughout her employment. She concludes this section by clearly stating “Thank you.”
4. Does the resignation letter assert the teacher will assist with the changeover?
For sure. In our resignation letter format for a teacher, the writer asserts her intentions to finish well into the last days of her employment. She communicates the duties she will complete, offers to train her replacement, and expresses her willingness to assist her boss with the changeover in any other way possible.
5. Does the resignation letter utilize a concise format and professional tone?
Of course! A concise format and professional tone are absolutely essential to an effective resignation letter, and the writer in our example successfully accomplishes both. She keeps her entire letter under one page with clear and concise paragraphs. She maintains a professional tone throughout her message despite her negative feelings toward her boss. This helps her avoid burning bridges as she departs this position.
The Most Important Resignation Letter Format for a Teacher Takeaways
Whether you feel excited, sad, or a mixture of both emotions as you depart your current position, sending your boss a thoughtfully worded resignation letter that uses a correct format can help you vacate your position with dignity. While it may seem like a difficult task, writing such a text is a simplified process when you follow our resignation letter format for a teacher.
Remember to use proper salutations, a professional tone, and a concise format as you craft your document. State your resignation immediately, thank your boss for the opportunity, and describe the ways in which you will help with the transition. Finally, proofread extensively, send your letter, and start getting ready for your next adventure!
