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Applying for teaching positions can feel overwhelming due to the numerous documents required. Your cover letter plays a crucial role as it showcases your top skills. Drafting a standout cover letter can distinguish you from other candidates, hence it's essential to invest time and tailor each letter. Begin by researching the role and gathering all necessary information before commencing writing. Utilize the introduction and body paragraphs to highlight your qualifications for the position. Conclude by expressing your keen interest in the role and requesting an interview, ensuring to review and proofread before sending it to the prospective employer.
Steps
Sample Teaching Job Application Letter
Application Letter Template for Teaching PositionsPre-Writing Information Gathering
Thoroughly review the job posting and highlight key terms. Before drafting your cover letter for a teaching role, carefully examine the job posting, marking important skills, certifications, and qualifications sought by the employer. This process aids in customizing your cover letter to match the specific position requirements.
- For instance, if applying for a Kindergarten teaching position, ensure alignment with prerequisites such as completion of a preparatory teaching program.
- If the job listing is online, transfer it to a word processor and utilize the highlight tool for emphasis.
Discover the name of the hiring manager. Addressing the hiring manager by name adds a personal touch to your application, demonstrating attention to detail. Refer to the job posting for the manager’s name. If undisclosed, contact the school via email or phone to ascertain the appropriate recipient of your application.
- Ensure to determine the preferred prefix of the recipient. For instance, if the hiring manager is Ms. Nancy Cardigan, inquire if she prefers Ms., Mrs., or another title.
Caution: Avoid starting your cover letter with “To whom it may concern” as it appears overly generic and informal.
Conduct research on the school, district, and position. Explore the school's website and conduct online searches to gather comprehensive information about the institution, district, and role. This additional insight enables you to demonstrate familiarity with the school and position, potentially setting you apart from competitors. Key areas of research include:
- Student demographics at the school
- Unique challenges encountered by the school, such as financial constraints or enrollment issues
- Available extracurricular activities for students
Identify 3 key experiences or skills relevant to the position. After conducting research, jot down notes regarding what to incorporate in your letter. Considering the one-page limit, pinpoint the top 3 professional experiences or unique skills that align with the position. Outline these and make notes on how to articulate them effectively in your letter.
- For instance, if applying for a Spanish teaching role, highlight your study abroad experience enhancing Spanish proficiency or additional certification as a TESOL teacher.
- Ensure alignment with your resume content to provide further insight into your professional background, certifications, or skills mentioned.
Writing the Introduction and Body Paragraphs
Incorporate your address and the date followed by 3 spaces. Omit your name from the letter's top; solely include your mailing address in the upper left corner. Subsequently, leave a space after the final line of your address and insert today’s date.
- For instance, list your address as “100 Main Street, Everytown, ND, 12345.”
- Then, after a space, indicate today’s date in extended format, such as August 8th, 2019.
Provide the complete name and address of the hiring manager. Address the hiring manager using their name and preferred title in the address. Proceed with their title and the address specified in the job listing or obtained during your inquiry.
- For example, “Mrs. Sherri Mascarpone, Executive Director of Personnel, Sacramento School District, 1000 Johnson Lane, Sacramento, CA, 12345.”
Initiate the greeting with a formal salutation. Begin with a respectful salutation, such as “Dear.” Refrain from using overly casual or personal terms like “Hi” or “Hello.”
- For instance, start with “Dear Mr. Rodgers,” followed by a space before commencing your introduction.
Specify the position you’re applying for and articulate your suitability. Capture the hiring manager’s attention right from the start with a concise introduction. Clearly state the position you're seeking and briefly outline why you believe you're a strong candidate.
- For instance, begin with, “I am applying for the Math Teacher position advertised in this week’s paper.”
- Additionally, provide a glimpse of your background by mentioning your alma mater and graduation year, if applicable. For example, follow with, “As a recent graduate of Universal University’s teacher education program, I am well-equipped for this role.”
Conclude the introductory paragraph by highlighting 3 qualifications. Recapitulate the top 3 skills or experiences you wish to emphasize in your cover letter. Conclude the introduction by citing these 3 points as evidence of your suitability for the position.
- For instance, state, “My extensive professional experiences, including serving as a teacher’s aide while pursuing my college education, tutoring at-risk youth in an after-school program, and completing student teaching at this institution, underscore my qualifications for this role.”
Substantiate your experiences and skills with supporting evidence. Dedicate 1 or 2 body paragraphs in your letter to elaborate on the 3 points highlighted in your introduction. Provide further insights into the mentioned experiences or elaborate on specialized training and certifications, elucidating their contribution to your teaching abilities.
- For example, expand on your student teaching experience at the prospective school, detailing the insights gained and how they align with the school’s ethos.
- If you possess specialized certifications, elaborate on how they enhance your aptitude to fulfill the demands of the role.
Highlight your unique contributions as an educator in this institution. Reflect on distinctive qualities that set you apart from other educators. Consider feedback from professors or previous employers, emphasizing at least one attribute or skill towards the end of your body paragraphs.
- For instance, underscore your dedication to supporting struggling students or showcase your creativity in designing engaging lessons, traits lauded by your references.
Pro Tip: Ensure specificity when discussing your qualifications, citing professional experiences, certifications, training, and other evidence to bolster your assertions.
Wrapping Up Your Letter
Reiterate your qualifications and enthusiasm for the position. Conclude your letter by reaffirming your keen interest in the position, refraining from using tentative language like “I think” or “I believe.”
- For instance, state, “Given my professional experiences and specialized certifications, I am highly enthusiastic about the 7-12 French teacher role at Northwestern Central School.”
Express gratitude for the employer’s time and consideration and express anticipation. Express appreciation for the employer’s attention to your application and their consideration of your qualifications. Additionally, use this opportunity to express eagerness for a potential interview.
- Consider saying, “Thank you for reviewing my application! I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications in further detail.”
- You may also suggest availability or propose a specific time and date for an interview for added impact. For instance, offer, “I am available for an in-person meeting on weekday mornings and Friday afternoons.” Alternatively, propose, “I am available next Friday afternoon between 1:00 and 4:00 pm for scheduling an interview.”
Provide your email address and phone number for contact. Ensure the hiring manager has reliable contact information by including your email address and phone number. You can include this detail in a closing line of your introduction.
- For example, you may write, “You can reach me at (123) 555-1234 or via email at [email protected].”
Pro Tip: You may omit this if your resume already contains this information.
Conclude with a friendly sign-off and your name. Wrap up your letter with a simple, warm farewell message or sign-off. Consider phrases like “Sincerely,” or “Best Regards,” followed by your name.
Editing and Proofreading Your Letter
Review and revise your letter as necessary. Go over your letter to identify areas for expansion, simplification, or reorganization. Also, double-check the job requirements to ensure alignment with your content. If needed, edit your letter accordingly.
- For instance, if the job description stresses the importance of demonstrating effective teaching methods, consider elaborating on positive feedback received during teaching evaluations.
Tip: If you’re a recent graduate or student applying for a teaching role, consider seeking feedback from your advisor or a career counselor at your college’s career development center.
Keep your letter concise and focused. Given the hiring manager’s likely busy schedule, aim for brevity and clarity in your letter. To achieve this:
- Limit your letter to one page
- Use action verbs similar to those in the job description to describe your skills
- Avoid convoluted sentences that may be hard to follow
Give your letter a final review for errors. Ensure your application letter is refined and error-free by carefully reviewing it once you've finished editing. Correct any spelling, typing, or grammar mistakes before printing.
- Consider reading the letter aloud to catch errors you might overlook when reading silently.
- Avoid relying solely on your word processing software to detect errors as they're not always reliable.
Print your letter on high-quality paper and sign it. Use high-grade resume paper for printing your resume and cover letter. While plain white paper suffices, opt for a superior quality paper. After printing, sign your name in blue or black ink below your typed name.
- If submitting electronically, convert the letter to PDF format.
