Consider many formats and types of teaching cover letters when conducting a job search. The word ‘letters” is plural because you will have a few different types. Tailoring your application letters to meet the different positions and school districts is critical to landing a job interview.
Whether you are writing a teacher cover letter, an assistant principal cover letter, or any other educator’s letter, you need to choose a format that is easy to read and fits your personality.
Ensure the teaching cover letters you write complement the resume you are submitting. These documents introduce you in your absence. Prospective schools are looking for professionalism and not a generalized cover letter template.
As I am sure you know, there are many top tips for writing cover letters. The key is to start implementing the correct ones to strengthen your letter.
If you use a standard form that many teachers use, the reader may take it as an indication that you are lazy or look for shortcuts to get things done. Your form needs to be unique to you and what you can offer the school district.
Use the writing strategies below and the ones at this link, which teaches application letter writing tips, to create a powerful letter.
Target your cover letter to meet the school district’s needs and what they are looking for in a candidate to fill the teaching position available. It should contain details about you that are current and fresh. It’s doubtful you will grab the reader’s attention using a generic format you downloaded, copied, and pasted from the internet.
It is paramount to show your personality and passion in your letter of introduction. The reader wants to know you are authentic.
6 Tips to Write Different Teaching Cover Letters
Tip 1: Your application letter should introduce your teacher resume:
Cover letters need to say more than “here is my resume.” It’s your chance to convince the principal that you’re the best person for the job; sell yourself. Introduce yourself. Tell them a little about why you want to teach at their school.
Tip 2: Teaching cover letters need to get the reader’s attention:
Grab the attention of the reader immediately or risk losing it for good. Make it clear right from the outset about which job you’re applying for and why you have the necessary expertise to fill the post. Communicate your experience, relevant achievements, and skills, but keep it short and to the point.
Tip 3: Research the school so you can make a connection:
Please find out the school principal’s name and address the letter directly to them. Remember the teaching position’s specifics and give concrete examples of how you’ve excelled in these areas.
Research as much as possible about the school where you wish to apply to communicate how you share their vision. Many principals will want to meet you in person if they feel you would fit into the school community through your application letter for a teaching position. Show you understand the school’s vision and explain how you can contribute.
Tip 4: Communicate the passion you have for the work:
Be passionate; it’s infectious. Express your enthusiasm for the school and the teaching or other education position to the principal. Talk about how satisfying and rewarding you find this type of work. Talk about how you love a challenge. Discuss being driven to succeed, but whatever you say, say it with passion, the passion you feel about teaching.
Tip 5: Teaching cover letters should show creativity:
In the education field, creativity is a highly valued skill that can set you apart from other candidates. School principals seek innovative educators who can engage students, solve problems, and adapt to diverse learning needs in new and imaginative ways. Use your cover letter to highlight instances where you’ve demonstrated creative thinking in your teaching practice or school involvement.
For example, you might share how you developed a unique classroom activity, designed an interdisciplinary project, or introduced new technology to enhance learning outcomes. If you’ve implemented a successful program or collaborated with colleagues to solve a school-wide challenge, this is a perfect opportunity to showcase it.
Be sure to focus on the impact of your creativity. Did student engagement improve? Did your innovative project foster collaboration, critical thinking, or problem-solving skills? These details not only demonstrate your creativity but also your ability to achieve tangible results in the classroom.
Tip 6: Check and recheck it:
This might sound strange, but if time allows, finish writing your cover letter and put it away; don’t read it for a day or two. Then, take it back out and read it with fresh eyes. You may read it over and think that it’s okay, but if you went too deep, there may be one or two parts that could use improvement. Read it out loud. Does it flow well, or did you stumble when reading?
If you read it and think, “Good grief, what was I talking about?” throw it away and start over. Have someone proofread it for you.
Your cover letter is the document a school principal or hiring authority will read before moving on to your resume. It is your chance to communicate why they should take the time to read your teacher’s resume and consider hiring you for the education position you are seeking.
Review resume writing tips for teachers to determine if your existing resume or curriculum vitae/ CV communicates your value to a school community.
