Cover Letters for Teaching and Education Careers

Your cover letter presents an excellent opportunity to show prospective employers and recruiters how the skills and accomplishments documented on your resume relate to their specific hiring needs. Each industry and profession presents unique cover letter writing and design challenges. If you are interested in pursuing a career in teaching and education, be certain to include highlights of these important success factors in your cover letters:

Success Factor #1

List your credentials/certifications prominently, possibly right after your contact information. Principals and administrators want to see right away what subject areas or grade levels you are qualified to teach and/or administer.

Success Factor #2

Mention the classes you have taught, including grade levels and subjects. Include any information about special lesson plans or field trips related to a particular subject area to illustrate your ingenuity and creativity in bringing the subject matter alive for your students. Relate these activities to the particular needs of the school or school district to which you are applying.

Success Factor #3

Highlight any committees you have been a member of or student activities for which you have served as an advisor (for example, Science Curriculum Committee or Olympics of the Mind Advisor).

Success Factor #4

Include travel or other enriching activities that contribute to your ability to bring additional value to the classroom. A social studies teacher who has spent extensive time exploring Europe or Native American cultures in the Southwest can be a much more fascinating candidate than someone who hasn't had similar experiences.