sample cover letter for english teacher

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25 Teacher Cover Letters Examples To Help You Get Hired

Your guide to a killer cover letter that will get you that interview.

Whether you are sending out resumes hoping to land your first teaching job or looking to shift to a new school or district, one fact remains the same: All the best credentials, experience, and passion will go unnoticed without a strong cover letter. The main rule? Sell yourself the way a publicist would. Cover letters aren’t a time for modesty. They’re a time to highlight your accomplishments and make your passion for teaching known. Below you’ll find our tips for creating the best cover letter possible and our top teacher cover letter and CV examples.

3 top tips for crafting a teacher CV or cover letter:

Keep it short and sweet..

You’ve only got about 30 seconds to capture a hiring director’s attention, so start with what we call “the elevator pitch.” Imagine you have the time between the elevators closing on one floor and opening again on another floor to sell yourself. Instead of rehashing everything on your resume, use the space to craft a paragraph or two that will convince them you are a standout candidate and are worth moving on to the next step.

Emphasize why you’re a great match.

Read the job description and find the overlap between the skills you bring to the table and the skills they need. If the job description calls for certain qualities or uses specific language, repeat them in your cover letter! The ultimate goal for your cover letter is to say, “You’ve got a problem? I’m the ideal person to solve it.” Be professional and use concrete examples.

Individualize!

Tailor each and every cover letter to fit the specific school, district, and job for which you’re applying. Research the school and its culture. That way, you can address their expectations and also use specific examples of achievements in your history to show why you’re the right candidate for the position.

Top teacher cover letter examples:

1. first-time teacher.

This letter is friendly and enthusiastic. It uses concrete examples and experiences related to student teaching while showcasing exactly why the applicant wants to become a teacher.

Learn more: First-time teacher at LiveAbout

2. Another first-time teacher example

This version of a cover letter calls out the specific skills the applicant has and hopes to bring to the table.

Learn more: Another first-time teacher example at OLAS

3. Experienced elementary teacher

Not every teacher stays in their job until retirement. If you’re looking for a new position, your cover letter should clearly state your experience. This example also makes it obvious that the candidate researched the new district and discusses why she would be excited to join. The candidate also includes references at the bottom of the cover letter.

Learn more: Experienced elementary teacher at Monster

4. Another experienced elementary teacher example

It doesn’t hurt to have additional examples! This teacher cover letter clearly showcases the school’s goals and addresses how this teacher specifically can help. She did her research!

Learn more: Another experienced elementary teacher at LiveAbout

5. Summer school teacher

As school lets out for summer, many teachers still need to earn an income. With competition tight, this cover letter stands out as the candidate states her qualifications as well as her ability to train other staff members.

Learn more: Summer school teacher at Cover Letters and Resume

6. Assistant teacher

With this letter, the applicant took a slightly different approach. The letter breaks down the most relevant accomplishments into bullet points. Those will jump out at the hiring manager, who will likely scan through a ton of applications.

Learn more: Assistant teacher at LiveCareer

7. Special education teacher

This letter is similar to a standard teacher cover letter, yet it also stresses the specific qualifications and experiences of a special ed teacher. For example, this candidate included how they modified the curriculum to meet the needs of a wide range of learners. In this particular cover letter example, the teacher was looking to move into a leadership role, so this serves as a template for someone looking to transition into management as well.

Learn more: Special education teacher at JobHero

8. School guidance counselor

This cover letter emphasizes the applicant’s academic achievements, especially with regard to the psychology education required for many counselor positions. It also talks about the characteristics that make this person the ideal candidate for this position.

Learn more: School guidance counselor at Great Sample Resume

9. Another school guidance counselor example

We liked this cover letter because it pulls specific metrics that are not in the resume—including the number of students the candidate worked with and the funding obtained for special needs programs.

Learn more: School guidance counselor at Zety

10. Library media specialist

This cover letter oozes confidence! As with any specialist position, the candidate hones in on how her specific skills and background make her qualified for this role.

Learn more: Library media specialist at LiveCareer

11. High school English teacher

This cover letter covers a lot of ground. It points out the candidate’s strengths for teaching and assessing knowledge in the specific subject. It also presents the special techniques the candidate uses to teach students at the high school level.

Learn more: High school English teacher at Great Sample Resume

12. Technology teacher

Taking a very professional approach to writing a cover letter shows that the contender is serious. This letter points out the specific skills that best prove why this candidate is a great fit for the position.

Learn more: Technology teacher at LiveCareer

13. Music teacher

A music teacher requires knowledge of multiple instruments and a love of music and music theory. This cover letter showcases the candidate’s background and why they feel music is an important part of the education experience.

Learn more: Music teacher at Best Sample Resume

14. Drama teacher

Drama teachers often go above and beyond just teaching a class. They host auditions and rehearsals for after-school productions. This cover letter shows the candidate’s knowledge of curriculum, directing a show, and even marketing efforts.

Learn more: Drama teacher at Great Sample Resume

15. Foreign language teacher

Foreign language teachers need to display their knowledge of the particular language as well as showcase how well they can immerse students in the culture. This cover letter discusses the teacher’s plans to incorporate curriculum as well as help facilitate the induction of students into the German Honor Society.

Learn more: Foreign language teacher at JobHero

16. Sports coach

This cover letter has a terrific opening line that sets the candidate apart from the get-go. It also clearly covers the candidate’s qualifications, from knowledge and experience to attitude and philosophy. This cover letter example also works well for PE teachers.

Learn more: Sports coach at JobHero

17. ESL teacher

Teaching English as a second language obviously requires a distinct skill set. This cover letter showcases key communication skills and lets the hiring director know the specific language fluency.

Learn more: ESL teacher at LiveCareer

18. Math teacher

Touching on the highlights of their resume without rehashing it completely (who wants to read something twice?), this candidate points out their qualifications and certifications as well as their versatility in teaching different types of students.

Learn more: Math teacher at A+ Resumes for Teachers

19. Pre-K teacher

Teaching pre-K takes patience, creativity, and flexibility. This cover letter effectively highlights the candidate’s communication and problem-solving skills as well as the personal qualities that make them great at their job.

Learn more: Pre-K teacher at LiveCareer

20. Business teacher

This cover letter provides excellent background about the teacher in a way that’s appropriate for business. It shares the necessary information clearly and concisely.

Learn more: Business teacher at LiveCareer

21. International school teacher

Working at an international school requires a certain skill set, and this letter highlights the teacher’s language skills as well as their ability to create effective lessons on relevant topics while providing students with the support they need to succeed.

Learn more: International school teacher at LiveCareer

22. Head teacher cover letter

Serving as a head teacher involves a unique blend of leadership and innovation. This cover letter showcases the candidate’s exceptional communication and leadership skills, essential for coordinating with staff, students, and stakeholders to cultivate a thriving educational environment.

Learn more: Head teacher cover letter example at QwikResume

23. Kindergarten teacher

A kindergarten teacher plays a foundational role in a child’s educational journey, blending creativity with core educational principles. This cover letter highlights the candidate’s proficiency in developing engaging lesson plans and materials tailored to young learners, ensuring the fundamentals of various subjects are delivered in a manner that is both enjoyable and educational.

Learn more: Kindergarten teacher at Kickresume

24. Secondary teacher

Secondary teachers help shape the young minds of students as they transition into adulthood. This cover letter exemplifies the candidate’s adeptness in crafting comprehensive lesson plans and teaching materials that cater to the diverse needs of teens, ensuring that the curriculum resonates with their evolving interests and capabilities.

Learn more: Secondary teacher at Resumaker

25. Art teacher

An art teacher embodies the intersection of creativity and education, nurturing students’ artistic talents and encouraging their expressive capabilities. This cover letter highlights the candidate’s proficiency in designing stimulating lesson plans that explore a wide range of artistic mediums and techniques, from traditional painting and drawing to digital art forms.

Learn more: Art teacher at Resume Genius

Do you have more great teacher cover letter examples? Share them in our We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Plus, check out the most common teacher interview questions and suggestions for how to answer them., you might also like.

Free Teacher Resume Template and Tips, Plus 21 Teacher Resume Examples

Make a great first impression! Continue Reading

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English Teacher Cover Letter Example

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Start your English Teacher cover letter with a personalized greeting to the hiring manager, if possible. Begin with an engaging opening line that highlights your enthusiasm for teaching and your commitment to education. For example: "Dear [Hiring Manager's Name], As an English Teacher with [number] years of experience in fostering a love for literature and language in diverse classroom settings, I am excited about the opportunity to bring my passion for teaching and my innovative curriculum design to [School Name]." This introduction immediately showcases your experience, personalizes your application, and aligns your goals with those of the potential employer, setting a positive tone for the rest of your cover letter.

The best way for English Teachers to end a cover letter is with a professional closing that reiterates their enthusiasm for the position and invites further discussion. For example: "Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to bring my passion for literature and language to [School Name] and contribute to your students' academic success. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my teaching experience and innovative approaches to English education can benefit your school. Please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience. Warm regards, [Your Name]" This conclusion is polite and confident, reflecting an English Teacher's communication skills. It also shows a proactive attitude by encouraging the hiring manager to initiate further contact, demonstrating the teacher's genuine interest in the position.

English Teachers should include the following elements in their cover letter to make a strong and positive impression on potential employers: 1. **Introduction**: Start with a personalized greeting and a strong opening statement that captures the reader's attention. Mention the specific teaching position you are applying for and where you found the job listing. 2. **Teaching Philosophy**: Briefly outline your teaching philosophy and approach to English education. Explain how you engage students, foster a love for the language, and develop their critical thinking and communication skills. 3. **Relevant Experience**: Highlight your teaching experience, including the grades or levels you have taught, types of schools (public, private, international), and any specialized areas of English education (ESL, literature, composition, etc.). Provide examples of successful lesson plans or projects that demonstrate your ability to teach English effectively. 4. **Educational Background**: Mention your academic qualifications, including your degree in English, Education, or a related field, as well as any additional certifications (TEFL, TESOL, CELTA, etc.) that are relevant to the position. 5. **Skills and Abilities**: Detail the specific skills that make you an excellent candidate for the job, such as classroom management, curriculum development, assessment design, and the use of educational technology. Also, include soft skills like communication, organization, and adaptability. 6. **Accomplishments**: Share any notable achievements in your teaching career, such as awards, recognitions, or successful student outcomes. Quantify these accomplishments when possible (e.g., "Improved student reading comprehension by 20% over one academic year"). 7. **Knowledge of the Institution**: Demonstrate that you have researched the school or institution and understand its mission, values, and student demographics. Explain why you are particularly interested in working there and how you can contribute to its goals. 8. **Closing Statement**: Conclude with a strong closing that reiterates your interest in the position and expresses your eagerness to discuss how

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Try our AI Cover Letter Generator

5 Professional English Teacher Cover Letter Examples for 2024

Your English teacher cover letter must first exhibit an unwavering passion for literature and language. Let your enthusiasm for teaching and your instructional pedagogy shine through clearly. In the second paragraph, highlight your adaptability and experience in diverse educational settings. Demonstrate your ability to engage students and foster a dynamic learning environment.

All cover letter examples in this guide

Middle School English Teacher

English Teacher Abroad

Secondary English Teacher

High School English Teacher

Cover letter guide.

English Teacher Cover Letter Sample

Cover Letter Format

Cover Letter Salutation

Cover Letter Introduction

Cover Letter Body

Cover Letter Closing

No Experience English Teacher Cover Letter

Key Takeaways

Embarking on your job search journey, you've diligently sent out resumes, only to realize that a compelling English teacher cover letter is just as crucial. A resume lists your qualifications, but your cover letter should weave a narrative around your proudest teaching moment without slipping into clichés. It's a delicate balance—formal yet personal, concise yet impactful, not exceeding one page. Let's tackle these common hurdles together and craft a cover letter that truly represents you.

• Some inspiration from other professionals' job-winning cover letters;
• The best structure and format for your english teacher cover letter;
• Insights on how to write about your best achievement to stand out;
• A creative twist on your english teacher cover letter intro.

Upload your english teacher resume to Enhancv's AI, which will quickly scan and prepare a job-winning cover letter for you.

If the english teacher isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:

• English Teacher resume guide and example
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• Toddler Teacher cover letter example
• Language Teacher cover letter example
• Spanish Teacher cover letter example
• Teacher For Career Change cover letter example
• Special Education Teacher cover letter example
• Preschool Assistant Teacher cover letter example
• Creative Art Teacher cover letter example
• Child Care Teacher cover letter example
• School Counselor cover letter example

English Teacher cover letter example

Baltimore, MD

+1-(234)-555-1234

[email protected]

• Emphasizing relevant teaching experience , such as tenure at a previous school and international exposure, highlights a broad understanding of educational systems and diverse teaching methods.
• Highlighting specific achievements or contributions to past educational roles, like developing an innovative lesson plan or contributing to a student's success, demonstrates effectiveness and potential for positive impact.
• Addressing the alignment of personal teaching philosophy and methodologies with the goals of the prospective school creates a clear connection between the applicant's capabilities and the institution's needs.
• Mentioning readiness to engage in further discussion showcases proactiveness and genuine interest in becoming part of the school's faculty.

Structuring and formatting your english teacher cover letter

Here's what the structure of your english teacher cover letter should include:

• Header (with your name, the position you're applying for, and the date);
• Salutation (or greeting);
• Introductory paragraph (or your opening statement);
• Body paragraph (or further proof of your experience);
• Closing paragraph (with a call to action);
• Signature (that is optional).

Use the same font for your english teacher resume and cover letter - modern fonts like Lato and Rubik would help you stand out.

Your english teacher cover letter should be single-spaced and have a one-inch margins - this format is automatically set up in our cover letter templates and our cover letter builder .

When submitting your cover letter, always ensure it's in PDF, as this format keeps the information intact (and the quality of your document stays the same).

On one final note - the Applicant Tracker System (ATS or the software that is sometimes used to initially assess your application) won't read your english teacher cover letter.

The top sections on a english teacher cover letter

• Header: Include your contact information and the date to provide the recruiter with easy access to your details for any follow-up correspondence.
• Greeting: Address the principal or hiring committee by name if possible, showing that you have done your research and are personally invested in the position at this specific school.
• Introduction: Briefly state your interest in the English teacher position and mention your teaching certification or relevant qualifications to immediately establish your credibility for the role.
• Teaching Philosophy and Experience: Outline your educational philosophy and highlight your experience with literature, language arts, and classroom management to show your capability and fit for the English teaching environment.
• Closing and Call to Action: Thank the reader for their time, express your enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute to their school's academic community, and invite them to contact you to arrange an interview.

Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter

Strong command of the English language : Mastery in grammar, vocabulary, and composition is essential for teaching and modeling proper language use.

Classroom management skills : Ability to maintain a focused, respectful, and engaged learning environment is crucial for facilitating effective lessons.

Experience with curriculum development : Demonstrates the ability to design educational content that is both aligned with standards and engaging for students.

Cultural sensitivity with a focus on inclusivity : Understanding and adapting to diverse student backgrounds is important for making literature and language studies relevant to all students.

Familiarity with educational technology : Proficiency in utilizing digital tools and platforms enhances interactive learning and supports remote or blended teaching scenarios.

Literature analysis and critical thinking expertise : Encourages higher-order thinking by enabling students to interpret, analyze, and critically evaluate texts.

Personalizing your english teacher cover letter salutation

Always aim to address the recruiter from the get-go of your english teacher cover letter.

• the friendly tone (e.g. "Dear Paul" or "Dear Caroline") - if you've previously chatted up with them on social media and are on a first-name basis;
• the formal tone (e.g. "Dear Ms. Gibbs" or "Dear Ms. Swift") - if you haven't had any previous conversation with them and have discovered the name of the recruiter on LinkedIn or the company website;
• the polite tone (e.g. "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear HR Team") - at all costs aim to avoid the "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam", as both greetings are very old-school and vague.

List of salutations you can use

• Dear Hiring Manager,
• Dear [School Name] Selection Committee,
• Dear Principal [Last Name],
• Dear Dr. [Last Name],
• Dear Mr./Ms./Mrs. [Last Name],
• Dear Members of the English Department,

Your english teacher cover letter introduction and the value you bring

Moving on from the "Dear Recruiter" to your professional introduction .

Use those first two sentences of your english teacher cover letter to present the biggest asset you'd bring to the organization.

Don't go into too much detail about your achievement or the skill set, but instead - go straight for the win.

That is - what is your value as a professional?

Would you be able to build stronger, professional relationships in any type of communication? Or, potentially, integrate seamlessly into the team?

That one achievement in your english teacher cover letter body

The lengthiest part of your english teacher cover letter is the body.

Within the next three to six middle paragraphs, present yourself as the best candidate for the role .

How can you do that without retelling your whole professional resume?

Select one key achievement that covers job-crucial skills and technologies (and is memorable).

Within the body of your english teacher cover letter, aim to tell the story of how you achieved your success. Also, write about how this would help out your potential team.

Closing remarks to end your english teacher cover letter

Of course, you'll have to show gratitude to the recruiters, who have assessed your profile at the end of your english teacher cover letter .

A "Thank you for the consideration" would work wonders, instead of the standard "Sincerely yours".

Do you want to make an even better impression?

Close off your english teacher cover letter by promising how you see yourself excelling in the role and the positive impact you'd bring about.

A sentence that encourages some further action on the recruiter's end could also be a good way to close off the communication (e.g. provide your availability for an interview).

Is it beneficial to mention that you have no experience in your english teacher cover letter?

Lacking professional experience isn't the end of the world for your english teacher cover letter .

Just be honest that you may not have had roles in the industry, but bring about so much more.

Like, your transferable skills, attained thanks to your whole work and life experience (e.g. the skills your summer spent working abroad taught you).

Or, focus on what makes you, you, and that one past success that can help you stand out and impress recruiters (think of awards you've attained and how they've helped you become a better professional).

Alternatively, write about your passion and drive to land the job and the unique skill set you would bring to enhance the workplace culture.

Key takeaways

Writing your english teacher cover letter doesn't need to turn into an endless quest, but instead:

• Create an individual english teacher cover letter for each role you apply to, based on job criteria (use our builder to transform your resume into a cover letter, which you could edit to match the job);
• Stick with the same font you've used in your resume (e.g. Raleway) and ensure your english teacher cover letter is single-spaced and has a one-inch margin all around;
• Introduce your enthusiasm for the role or the company at the beginning of your english teacher cover letter to make a good first impression;
• Align what matters most to the company by selecting just one achievement from your experience, that has taught you valuable skills and knowledge for the job;
• End your english teacher cover letter like any good story - with a promise for greatness or follow-up for an interview.

English Teacher cover letter examples

Explore additional english teacher cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.

Cover letter examples by industry

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Should you include a cover letter if it is not asked for, resume sections: everything you need to know, star resume template, how to write responding to recruiter email [templates included], what should not be included in a resume.

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A cover letter that shines is important for any job application but is particularly so for English teacher positions, as applicants’ English communication skills are on display in the letter. Do follow standard cover-letter practices such as demonstrating your industry knowledge; industry terms and acronyms are usually fine, but obscure and long words for the sake of helping you appear intellectual are not. The professional English teacher cover letter sample below as well as our additional tip sections may lend you some insight into the process.

Professional English Teacher Cover Letter Sample

English teacher cover letter must-haves.

In a cover letter such as the professional English teacher cover letter sample, it is often useful to discuss your approach to teaching. Student engagement and compliance with required state standards are two areas you could cover. If you have teaching licensure, that is good to mention too; the same goes for bachelor’s or master’s degrees. Experience helps too, but if you do not have much, do not worry. Simply volunteering with children can go a long way.

Best Action Verbs for an English Teacher Cover Letter

To show your grasp of English like the professional English teacher cover letter sample does, take advantage of action verbs such as taught, tracked, created, developed, presented, reinforced, managed, worked, prepared, and researched.

Cover Letter Text

Dear Mr. Wilkins and Ms. Hoskins,

As you no doubt know, English teachers set students up for success and failure every day. English is a magical and challenging language, and I approach my teaching so that students can be successful. I appreciate the thorough job postings on the district website, and I believe I am qualified for the English teacher position at Whittfield High in every way.I am nearing the end of my student teaching term at Brookview Middle School. When I started in January, quite a few students were indifferent toward English. I changed that up by assigning fun reading in addition to required reading. I develop lesson plans that incorporate student plays and performances such as reciting favorite quotes from a book. Now, when students walk into the room, excitement shines in their eyes, and they enthusiastically contribute in class. I do stay fully compliant with state standards of learning objectives; simply injecting small twists here and there is huge for student engagement. I also adapt lesson plans to meet the needs of students with varying learning styles, and I have gained valuable experience from having an interpreter for a student who is deaf in my class. Next month, I will graduate from Doe and Smith University with dual bachelor’s degrees in English and secondary education. My qualifications include patience, people skills, a knack for connecting with parents, students, and administrators, and a passion for English and teaching.With my credentials, I believe I could do much good at Whittfield High. I hope we can meet for an interview, and I thank you for reviewing my application materials.

Home / Cover Letter Examples / English teacher Cover Letter Sample

Sample English Teacher Cover Letter and Advice from HR Pros

Now that you have your teacher resume ready , it’s time to work on your cover letter. A cover letter works as an introduction to your resume, highlights its most important points and shows the employer your passion and motivation for getting the job.

Why is a cover letter important when applying for a teaching position?

Hiring managers recommend always pairing your resume with a cover letter. However, for some positions, a cover letter is especially important.

If you are applying for a teaching position, how successful you are in your job is determined not only by your knowledge and professional credentials — but also by your personality and communication skills. Teachers work with people and many of them work with children. In this job people skills are just as valuable as the knowledge you can pass to your students.

Unfortunately, it’s very hard to let your personality come through in a resume page. Resumes tend to be dry, factual and focused on what you know. Cover letters, on the other hand, are a great place to talk about your motivation, communication skills, passion for the teaching profession and lots more. Don’t miss out on this powerful opportunity to show your employer who you are beyond the numbers on your resume.

English teacher cover letter sample

First, let’s take a quick look at a sample cover letter for a teaching position. We will then go over the structure of the letter step by step to give you an idea how to format your application.

What sections should your cover letter include?

A cover letter should be more personal than a resume. And you have way more flexibility on how to structure it. However, it’s still best if it includes the following essentials:

Introduction

• Call to action

Let’s go over each of these sections in a bit more detail.

Cover letter header

The header of your cover letter is the part with your contact information. You can keep it short and simple and just include your name, phone number and email. Or, you can use this as an opportunity to add a bit more information about yourself and pique the hiring manager’s curiosity.

If so, you can add a link to your professional social media: LinkedIn account, professional website or online portfolio. Before you do this, however, ensure that your professional social media profiles are updated and present a clear picture of you that can impress your potential new employer.

After your contact details, add a greeting. It’s best to address the hiring manager by name — if you know their name. This will add a personal touch to the application and may help you set off on a good note with the hiring manager.

Now, if you don’t know the name of the hiring manager, you can try to find it out.

Check the company’s web page and see if you can learn who is in charge of the hiring process.

Take a look at the company’s social media pages. Sometimes, there may be additional information there about who works at the company.

LinkedIn can be a good resource too. You can often see a list of the company’s employees here — search for the hiring manager, HR manager, talent acquisition, etc.

Finally, if all your attempts have failed, you may need to use a general greeting. In this case, we suggest going with something like “Dear Hiring Manager”. It may be best to avoid the phrases like “To Whom It May Concern”, as they may come off as old-fashioned and impersonal.

The introduction of your cover letter is basically an elevator pitch to the hiring team. This is no place to be shy. In fact, we suggest you jump in directly with your best features, major accomplishments and key talents. The introduction of your cover letter should get very close to convincing the hiring manager that you are the best person for the job. The rest of your cover letter as well as your resume will be backing up your introduction.

Cover letter main body

The middle paragraphs of your cover letter should go into more detail about why you are the best for the job. This is the time to make your case and be specific.

You can talk about what the company will gain from hiring you. Explain that you are well familiar with job responsibilities and what’s expected of you. Offer examples from your previous employment that prove your relevant abilities and skills. You can also include information about your most important projects, professional awards and accolades and more.

Don’t use abstract and general phrasing. Instead try to be as specific as you can. Include numbers, references to specific projects and skills and more.

This may also be a good place to talk about why you want the job, why you are passionate about this career path and why you have chosen to apply for a position with this specific company.

This part of your cover longer will be the longest — but try to keep to two to three paragraphs tops.

Call to action and sign-off

It’s best to end your cover letter with a call to action. This is what you hope the hiring manager will do after reading your application. Phrasing a call to action may be tricky, but there are several proven ways to approach this:

• You can mention when you are ready to start in the new job and ask if this timing works for your employer.
• You can ask about the next step in the application process: should you wait for a response, will there be an interview, is there any additional information you should provide, etc.
• Finally, don’t forget to thank the hiring manager for taking the time to review your application.

In your sign-off, you can repeat your contact details: your phone number and email.

Extra tips for writing a cover letter

Here are a few more things to take into account when writing your cover letter:

• Most hiring managers agree that your cover letter should be under a page long.
• Don’t make your cover letter into a copy of your resume. Use it as an opportunity to tell the hiring manager more about you and highlight your most important skills.
• Be specific. Use examples from your previous work, numbers, mention keywords from the job description — and more.
• Tailor the cover letter to the position you are applying for. While re-using the same cover letter for multiple positions may sound tempting and a great way to save time, it will probably be counter-productive. The main purpose of your cover letter is to show the employer that you are interested in the job they have to offer and that you are the best candidate for this specific job. This is why it’s essential that you do your best that both your resume and cover letter are tailored for the job you are applying for.

Learn How to Write a Modern Resume in 2022

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, cover letter sample: english teacher job.

Teaching's a competitive field, so a stand-out cover letter's a must for serious applicants. In the sample below, the applicant is applying to teach English as a Second Language to international students.

Read on to see why the writer thinks he'd be a great match for the position. Then continue scrolling for an analysis of what this sample cover letter does well.

Cover Letter for English Teacher Position

Jon Snowman 1 Wall Road, North Reading, MA 01864 606-060-6066 ✴ [email protected]

May 1, 2016

Lucia Gomez School Director English Learning Center 60 Center St. Boston, MA 02108

  Dear Ms. Gomez,

I was excited to find your posting for an English as a Second Language teacher with English Learning Center on Craigslist.com. Upon researching your school, I strongly identified with its mission of cross-cultural communication and global citizenship. I am confident that I would make an excellent addition to your teaching team because of my passion for helping students, my teaching and cultural experiences, and my TEFL qualifications.

I taught ESL to beginner, intermediate, and advanced students of various cultural and linguistic backgrounds in Madrid for one year. Before stepping into this role, I earned my TEFL certification after completing an on-site 120-hour course. Through my teaching experiences and TEFL studies, I developed critical pedagogic and classroom management skills, along with a passion for teaching English.

I'm equipped with the Communicative Teaching Method, a philosophy that I’m excited to see you use at English Learning Center. I apply this method in the classroom through interactive, student-centered activities that maximize “student talk time.” I scaffold my lessons so that they include pair and group work, as well as movement around the classroom. By engaging students in speaking, grammar, writing, listening, and reading and appealing to diverse learning styles, I help them improve their accuracy and fluency across key skill areas.

After living in Spain, I understand both the excitement and the challenges that accompany learning a new language and living abroad. In my classes, I typically set aside five to ten minutes at the start of each class for students to share their “highs” and “lows” for the week, a ritual that my students have appreciated as they adapted to new surroundings. I aim to support students’ social-emotional well-being as they learn English and deepen their global awareness.

I look forward to speaking with you to discuss your specific needs at English Language Center and my ability to meet them. I'd be thrilled to join a team of globally-minded educators dedicated to high-quality language instruction. Please feel free to contact me at 606-060-6066 or [email protected]. Thank you very much for your consideration. 

Jon Snowman

Will this cover letter help Jon get an ESL teaching job stateside?

ESL Teacher Cover Letter: The Breakdown

Jon is applying to an ESL teaching position with English Language Center. In his cover letter, he  reflects an understanding of the school by referring to its mission statement in the first paragraph. He also shows that he knows it uses the Communicative Teaching Method as the basis for its curriculum, a method with which he’s familiar.

Jon describes his skills and qualifications in terms of his TEFL certification, lesson planning abilities, and efforts to establish a comfortable classroom environment. He specifies that his lessons focus on pair and group work to maximize conversation among students, and he gives an example of a “high/low” activity he uses to support students emotionally as they adapt to a new culture.

By giving specifics, Jon illustrates his instructional skills and teaching methodology. His letter is clearly organized and provides insight into his experiences. Overall, Jon's cover letter shows that he’s a thoughtful teacher dedicated to ESL instruction. Before heading to the next sample, consider one important note about the letter's format.

A Note on Format

The letter above features a traditional format with Jon's name, address, and contact information at the top, followed by the date and the name and address of the hiring manager. He also signs and prints his name at the bottom.

This format is spot on for cover letters sent as a hard copy or as an attachment in a Word document. These days, though, lots of jobs have applicants send their cover letters in the body of an email or pasted into a text box on their application site.

If you're sending a cover letter in the body of an email or text box, then you usually don't have to worry about these headers. You can just start right in with the salutation (e.g., Dear Ms. Wassername) and type your name at the end.

Make sure to read and follow any application instructions so you know exactly how to send your materials. In addition to being thoughtful about your cover letter's content, you can be intentional about your letter's format and overall look.

What's Next?

Do you need a degree to be an English teacher? Learn more about the qualifications you'll need to teach in the U.S. with this article .

Ready to read another sample? Check out this sample cover letter for the job of Marketing Manager !

Are you looking for our full cover letter guide? Head back to the complete guide here with links to five more cover letter samples .

Are you starting at the beginning? This guide has a universal cover letter template to guide your writing , along with great tips to produce the best cover letter you can.

Rebecca graduated with her Master's in Adolescent Counseling from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has years of teaching and college counseling experience and is passionate about helping students achieve their goals and improve their well-being. She graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University and scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT.

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English Teacher Cover Letter Example (Free Guide)

Create an english teacher cover letter that lands you the interview with our free examples and writing tips. use and customize our template and land an interview today..

Are you looking for a way to stand out from the crowd when applying for English teaching jobs? Writing a great cover letter is key to making a strong first impression. This guide will provide you with all the information you need to write an effective cover letter that will get you noticed by potential employers.

We will cover:

• How to write a cover letter, no matter your industry or job title.
• What to put on a cover letter to stand out.
• The top skills employers from every industry want to see.
• How to build a cover letter fast with our professional Cover Letter Builder .
• What a cover letter template is, and why you should use it.

Related Cover Letter Examples

• Elementary School Principal Cover Letter Sample
• Elementary School Teacher Cover Letter Sample
• Engineering Teacher Cover Letter Sample

English Teacher Cover Letter Sample

• English Tutor Cover Letter Sample
• High School Counselor Cover Letter Sample
• High School Principal Cover Letter Sample

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to apply for the English Teacher position at your school. With my enthusiasm for teaching, enthusiasm for learning, and experience teaching students of all ages, I am confident I will be an excellent addition to your team.

I am currently a full-time English teacher at XYZ School, where I have been since 2015. During my time here, I have taught a variety of classes including freshman and senior English classes, creative writing, and literature. I have also been involved in the school’s drama program, where I directed three plays and wrote one of my own.

I have a Bachelor’s degree in English from ABC University, and I am currently pursuing my Master’s degree in English Education. I am passionate about teaching and learning and strive to make my classes engaging and inspiring. I believe that my enthusiasm for the subject and my commitment to helping students reach their full potential make me a great fit for this position.

My experience in the classroom and my knowledge of the subject have prepared me to take on the challenges of the English Teacher position at your school. I am confident that I have the skills to help your students reach their goals and excel in the English language.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to discussing my qualifications with you further.

Why Do you Need a English Teacher Cover Letter?

• A English Teacher cover letter is an important document that provides schools with a detailed overview of your qualifications and experience.
• It is the first thing that a school will see when considering you for a teaching position, and it is your chance to stand out from the competition.
• A well-written cover letter will make you stand out to employers and demonstrate why you are the best candidate for the job.
• Your cover letter should highlight the skills and experience you have that are relevant to the job, as well as any special qualifications or certifications you have.
• It should also include information about your teaching philosophy and any experiences you have had that have helped you become a better teacher.
• A cover letter is a great way to show schools that you are passionate about teaching and can help you make a great first impression.

A Few Important Rules To Keep In Mind

• Keep it professional: Your cover letter should be professional, so use a formal business letter format.
• Highlight relevant qualifications: Mention qualifications from the job description that you possess.
• Show enthusiasm: Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position and provide examples of how you can contribute to the success of the school.
• Be concise: Keep your letter to one page, and make sure to include only the most pertinent information.
• Proofread: Make sure to proofread your letter multiple times to make sure there are no spelling or grammar errors.

What's The Best Structure For English Teacher Cover Letters?

After creating an impressive English Teacher resume , the next step is crafting a compelling cover letter to accompany your job applications. It's essential to remember that your cover letter should maintain a formal tone and follow a recommended structure. But what exactly does this structure entail, and what key elements should be included in a English Teacher cover letter? Let's explore the guidelines and components that will make your cover letter stand out.

Key Components For English Teacher Cover Letters:

• Your contact information, including the date of writing
• The recipient's details, such as the company's name and the name of the addressee
• A professional greeting or salutation, like "Dear Mr. Levi,"
• An attention-grabbing opening statement to captivate the reader's interest
• A concise paragraph explaining why you are an excellent fit for the role
• Another paragraph highlighting why the position aligns with your career goals and aspirations
• A closing statement that reinforces your enthusiasm and suitability for the role
• A complimentary closing, such as "Regards" or "Sincerely," followed by your name
• An optional postscript (P.S.) to add a brief, impactful note or mention any additional relevant information.

Cover Letter Header

A header in a cover letter should typically include the following information:

• Your Full Name: Begin with your first and last name, written in a clear and legible format.
• Contact Information: Include your phone number, email address, and optionally, your mailing address. Providing multiple methods of contact ensures that the hiring manager can reach you easily.
• Date: Add the date on which you are writing the cover letter. This helps establish the timeline of your application.

It's important to place the header at the top of the cover letter, aligning it to the left or center of the page. This ensures that the reader can quickly identify your contact details and know when the cover letter was written.

Cover Letter Greeting / Salutation

A greeting in a cover letter should contain the following elements:

• Personalized Salutation: Address the hiring manager or the specific recipient of the cover letter by their name. If the name is not mentioned in the job posting or you are unsure about the recipient's name, it's acceptable to use a general salutation such as "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear [Company Name] Recruiting Team."
• Professional Tone: Maintain a formal and respectful tone throughout the greeting. Avoid using overly casual language or informal expressions.
• Correct Spelling and Title: Double-check the spelling of the recipient's name and ensure that you use the appropriate title (e.g., Mr., Ms., Dr., or Professor) if applicable. This shows attention to detail and professionalism.

For example, a suitable greeting could be "Dear Ms. Johnson," or "Dear Hiring Manager," depending on the information available. It's important to tailor the greeting to the specific recipient to create a personalized and professional tone for your cover letter.

Cover Letter Introduction

An introduction for a cover letter should capture the reader's attention and provide a brief overview of your background and interest in the position. Here's how an effective introduction should look:

• Opening Statement: Start with a strong opening sentence that immediately grabs the reader's attention. Consider mentioning your enthusiasm for the job opportunity or any specific aspect of the company or organization that sparked your interest.
• Brief Introduction: Provide a concise introduction of yourself and mention the specific position you are applying for. Include any relevant background information, such as your current role, educational background, or notable achievements that are directly related to the position.
• Connection to the Company: Demonstrate your knowledge of the company or organization and establish a connection between your skills and experiences with their mission, values, or industry. Showcasing your understanding and alignment with their goals helps to emphasize your fit for the role.
• Engaging Hook: Consider including a compelling sentence or two that highlights your unique selling points or key qualifications that make you stand out from other candidates. This can be a specific accomplishment, a relevant skill, or an experience that demonstrates your value as a potential employee.
• Transition to the Body: Conclude the introduction by smoothly transitioning to the main body of the cover letter, where you will provide more detailed information about your qualifications, experiences, and how they align with the requirements of the position.

By following these guidelines, your cover letter introduction will make a strong first impression and set the stage for the rest of your application.

Cover Letter Body

I am writing to apply for the English Teacher position at your school. With more than 10 years of experience teaching English to students of all ages, I am confident I will be an excellent addition to the team.

I have a deep appreciation for the English language and a passion for helping others develop their English skills. I have taught courses ranging from basic reading and writing to advanced grammar and literature. My lessons are creative and engaging and I strive to motivate my students to reach their full potential.

In my current role, I am responsible for planning and delivering lessons, assessing student progress, and providing individual feedback. I am also well-versed in using online teaching tools and technology to enhance the learning experience. I am familiar with the curriculum and have the ability to develop lesson plans that align with the school’s objectives.

Aside from my teaching experience, I also bring with me strong organizational and communication skills. I am comfortable working with diverse student populations and am adept at using a variety of teaching techniques. I am also committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment.

I am confident I am the right person for the job and would be delighted to discuss further how I can contribute to your team. I have included my resume and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Complimentary Close

The conclusion and signature of a cover letter provide a final opportunity to leave a positive impression and invite further action. Here's how the conclusion and signature of a cover letter should look:

• Summary of Interest: In the conclusion paragraph, summarize your interest in the position and reiterate your enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute to the organization or school. Emphasize the value you can bring to the role and briefly mention your key qualifications or unique selling points.
• Appreciation and Gratitude: Express appreciation for the reader's time and consideration in reviewing your application. Thank them for the opportunity to be considered for the position and acknowledge any additional materials or documents you have included, such as references or a portfolio.
• Call to Action: Conclude the cover letter with a clear call to action. Indicate your availability for an interview or express your interest in discussing the opportunity further. Encourage the reader to contact you to schedule a meeting or provide any additional information they may require.
• Complimentary Closing: Choose a professional and appropriate complimentary closing to end your cover letter, such as "Sincerely," "Best Regards," or "Thank you." Ensure the closing reflects the overall tone and formality of the letter.
• Signature: Below the complimentary closing, leave space for your handwritten signature. Sign your name in ink using a legible and professional style. If you are submitting a digital or typed cover letter, you can simply type your full name.
• Typed Name: Beneath your signature, type your full name in a clear and readable font. This allows for easy identification and ensures clarity in case the handwritten signature is not clear.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing an English Teacher Cover Letter

When crafting a cover letter, it's essential to present yourself in the best possible light to potential employers. However, there are common mistakes that can hinder your chances of making a strong impression. By being aware of these pitfalls and avoiding them, you can ensure that your cover letter effectively highlights your qualifications and stands out from the competition. In this article, we will explore some of the most common mistakes to avoid when writing a cover letter, providing you with valuable insights and practical tips to help you create a compelling and impactful introduction that captures the attention of hiring managers. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career journey, understanding these mistakes will greatly enhance your chances of success in the job application process. So, let's dive in and discover how to steer clear of these common missteps and create a standout cover letter that gets you noticed by potential employers.

• Failing to proofread for spelling and grammar mistakes
• Including irrelevant information
• Having an unprofessional tone
• Not including specific examples of your teaching experience
• Not customizing the cover letter to the job you are applying for
• Sending the same cover letter to multiple employers
• Using a generic salutation
• Including negative information
• Using passive language instead of active language
• Failing to address the requirements of the job

Key Takeaways For an English Teacher Cover Letter

• Highlight your experience teaching English language and literature
• Demonstrate your ability to develop engaging lesson plans and activities
• Showcase your knowledge of classroom management techniques and current educational trends
• Discuss any special qualifications and certifications you have in teaching English
• Emphasize your commitment to student success and your enthusiasm for your profession

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Teacher Cover Letter Examples For 2024 (20+ Skills & Templates)

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Looking to land more job offers as a Teacher?

Crafting a strong cover letter is key. This comprehensive guide is packed with everything you need to know in order to write a job-winning Teacher cover letter , complete with effective strategies, essential skills, helpful templates, and real-life examples.

You can trust that all the insights and tips in this guide are based on data from coaching thousands of job seekers, just like you, who have gone on to secure positions at some of the world's most reputable companies.

Whether you're a seasoned Teacher or just starting out, reading this guide from start to finish can help you land your dream role. But if you're short on time and looking for specific information, here's a breakdown of what's included:

• What To Know About Writing A Job-Winning Teacher Cover Letter
• The Best Skills To Include On An Teacher Cover Letter

How To Address A Teacher Cover Letter

• 3 Teacher Cover Letter Examples

The 8 Best Teacher Cover Letter Templates

3 tips for writing a job-winning teacher cover letter.

Here's the step-by-step breakdown:

Teacher Cover Letter Overview: What To Know To Write A Cover Letter That Wins More Job Offers

Wondering what school districts are looking for when they're hiring a teacher?

Districts want knowledgeable, skilled, and dedicated teachers that are highly qualified. That means they have the proper education, certifications, and experience along with mastery of their subject, strong classroom management, communication, flexibility, and commitment to student learning.  Professionalism, reliability, and punctuality are also key qualities.

Your resume should show the district that the your experience and personality combined encompass all of these things.

Additionally, there are a few best practices you want to follow to write a job-winning Teacher resume:

• Highlight your education and certifications:  emphasizing any relevant coursework or specialized training.
• Emphasize your teaching experience:  providing specific examples of your accomplishments and contributions to student learning.
• Include keywords from the job description:  ensure your resume is optimized for applicant tracking systems (ATS).
• Showcase your skills and achievements:  including examples of your ability to manage a classroom, communicate effectively, and use technology.
• Provide references from colleagues:  or supervisors who can speak to your teaching abilities
• Proofread: Make sure to thoroughly proofread your cover letter for any grammatical errors or typos. A well-written, error-free letter can make a strong first impression. I recommend using Hemingway App to do this.

Let's dive deeper into each of these so you have the exact blueprint you need to see success.

The Best Teacher Skills To Include On Your Cover Letter

Keywords are one of the most important factors in your cover letter. They show employers that your skills align with the role and they also help format your cover letter for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

If you're not familiar with ATS systems, they are pieces of software used by employers to manage job applications. They scan cover letters for keywords and qualifications and make it easier for the employers to filter and search for candidates whose qualifications match the role.

If you want to win more Teacher interviews and job offers, you need to have a keyword-optimized cover letter. There are two ways to find the right keywords:

1. Leverage The 20 Best Teacher Keywords

The first way to find the right keywords is to leverage our list of the best keywords and skills for an Teacher cover letter.

These keywords were selected from an analysis of  real Teacher  job descriptions sourced from actual job boards. Here they are:

• Communication
• Collaborative
• Development
• Flexibility
• Performance
• Instruction
• Regulations

2. Use ResyMatch.io To Find The Best Keywords That Are Specific To Your Cover Letter And Target Role

The second method is the one I recommend because it's personalized to your specific cover letter and target job.

This process lets you find the exact keywords that your cover letter is missing when compared to the individual role you're applying for.

Here's how it works:

• Open a copy of your target Teacher job description
• Head over to  ResyMatch.io
• Select the “Job Description Scan” from the scan type selector in the upper right corner of the tool
• Copy and paste the Teacher job description into the field on the left
• Hit scan and review the results

ResyMatch is going to scan the target job description and show you the exact keywords and skills that are relevant for the role and that you should weave into your cover letter.

Here's a video walking through this whole process:

Personalization is what makes a cover letter stand out. That starts from the very first sentence where you greet the person reading your cover letter! There are two ways to do this well:

1. Use The Campus Principal's Name

The first, and best, is by including the campus principal's name. Let's say that you discovered the campus principal's name from a post on LinkedIn or via an informational interview.

This is the jackpot! All you need to do is use their name in the introduction, like this:

2. Use This Formula: To The [Department] Team at [Organization]

If you don't have the campus principal's name, no problem! You can address your cover letter to the team that you're applying to.

For example, if you're applying to for a Product Marketing Manager role at Discovery Education, you might start you cover letter like this:

This shows the reader that this letter has been written specifically for them and the content inside of it will support that.

It's much more relevant and personal than  “To Whom It May Concern!”

For more advice on writing a strong opening to your cover letter, check out this guide.

3 Teacher Cover Letter Examples For 2023

Now let's take a look at all of these best practices in action. Here are three cover letter examples for different situations from people with different backgrounds that are all applying for Teacher roles:

Teacher Cover Letter Example #1: A Traditional Background

Our first example is a cover letter written by a candidate with traditional Teacher experience. Here is what an example of their cover letter might look like:

Teacher Cover Letter Example #2: A Non-Traditional Background

Our second cover letter example comes from a candidate looking to transition from the healthcare industry into a teacher role. This cover letter illustrates how they identify and speak to their transferable skills:

Teacher Cover Letter Example #3: Landing An Elementary Teacher Role Despite Majority Experience in Upper Grade Levels

Our third example highlights a candidate with extensive teaching experience in middle and high school grades, looking to transition to the elementary classroom.

At this point, you know all of the basics you'll need to write a Teacher cover letter that wins you more interviews and offers. The only thing left is to take all of that information and apply it to a template that's going to help you get results.

We made that easy with  our CoverBuild tool . It has 8 proven templates that were created with the help of recruiters and hiring managers at the world's best companies. These templates also bake in thousands of data points we have from the job seekers in our audience who have used them to land job offers.

You're off to a strong start! But I've got a few more tips to help you take your cover letter to the next level:

1. Use ChatGPT To Write Your Cover Letter In <30 Seconds

All of these tips and best practices work, but you still have to implement them. Normally, that'd mean you sitting down and spending hours brainstorming ideas, typing, deleting, and typing again, and then feeling absolutely drained.

Now there's a way to work around all of that so you save your best energy for the writing and edits that matter most. Here's how it works:

• Head to ChatGPT (you'll need to create an account – it's free)
• Ask ChatGPT,  “Please write me a cover letter for an Teacher role. The role I'm applying for is [Job Title] role at [School District]. Here is the job description: [Paste Job Description]. And here is my resume: [Paste Resume].
• Watch ChatGPT write up a pretty darn good cover letter base!

Here's a video of me doing this with a real cover letter if you want to see the steps in action:

Note:  I  do not recommend or advise that you simply copy and paste the content from ChatGPT into your cover letter and submit your application. ChatGPT is great for doing 80% of the baseline work, but you still need to review, revise, and personalize the content yourself.

2. Include Measurable Metrics And Outcomes

Too many job seekers only focus on the actions that they took and not the outcomes that resulted from those actions. As a campus principal, it's impossible to differentiate between a dozen candidates who were all “Responsible For Creating a Safe Learning Environment.” 

If you want to win, your cover letter should speak to the specific outcomes that you drove in previous roles. That could be:

• The percentage by which your students' content mastery increased
• The average reduction in behavioral issues
• The average parent satisfaction rate
• The rate at which your student engagement increased from year to year

These numbers will show hiring teams what you're capable of and make your value crystal clear!

3. Match Your Cover Letter And Resume Design

They're the exact same car, down to the year, make, and model. The only difference is the way the product was presented. Like I said, quality impacts perceived value.

One of the best ways to boost the quality of your cover letter is to make it look clean, professional, and have it match your resume. That's why the resume templates in our resume builder tool match the cover letter templates in our cover letter builder:

If you use both tools to create your cover letter and your resume, your entire application is going to be top notch.

Key Takeaways To Wrap Up Your Job-Winning Cover Letter

You made it! We packed a lot of information into this post so I wanted to distill the key points for you and lay out next steps so you know exactly where to from here.

Here are the 5 steps for writing a job-winning Teacher cover letter:

• Start with a proven cover letter template from CoverBuild.io
• Use  ResyMatch.io to find the right keywords and optimize your cover letter for each Teacher role you apply to
• Start your teacher cover letter with a personalized greeting for the campus principal or Human Resources representative.
• Emphasize the measurable outcomes and value you drove in previous roles (include metrics!)
• Compare the draft of your teacher cover letter to the examples on this page to make sure you're on the right path
• Use a tool like  Hemingway App to proofread your cover letter before you submit it

If you follow those steps, you're going to be well on your way to landing more Teacher interviews and job offers.

Now that your cover letter is taken care of, be sure to check out my guide on how to write a job-winning Teacher resume (with examples!)

Laura Lorta

Laura is an Editor at Cultivated Culture. She transitioned from teaching into the world of content so she's no stranger to career pivots. She also has a bachelors in Entrepreneurship and a Masters in Curriculum & Instruction / Bilingual Education. She currently shares job search advice to help people like you land jobs they love without applying online.

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5 Teacher Cover Letter Examples & Templates for 2024

• Teacher Cover Letter
• Elementary Teacher
• Art Teacher
• Special Education Teacher
• AP English Teacher
• Writing Your Teacher Cover Letter 101

Teachers’ duties extend far beyond the 8 to 4 school day, encompassing lesson planning, grading, parent communication, faculty meetings, and guiding student extracurriculars.. 

The challenge of finding a new teaching position and the requirement to write a cover letter in addition to your teacher resume can seem daunting given your already full schedule.

We’re here to assist you in your job hunt with five teacher cover letter examples and a comprehensive guide. While it’s impossible to highlight every accomplishment, our resources, which include a free cover letter generator , are designed to help you effectively showcase your strengths and demonstrate to principals and departments why you’re the ideal candidate for the position.

Teacher Cover Letter Example

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Elementary Teacher Cover Letter Example

Art Teacher Cover Letter Example

Why this cover letter works

• Metrics bring your accomplishments to life, painting a vivid picture of your effectiveness for the role. For instance, Kaito reports a 12% increase in foot traffic to his mural projects.

Special Education Teacher Cover Letter Example

• Passion equals commitment and even success. Not only does this align with the role she seeks, but it’s also an excellent trick to captivate the recruiter reading your piece.

AP English Teacher Cover Letter Example

AP English Teacher Resume

Need a resume to pair with your AP English teacher cover letter?

or download as PDF

How to Write a Cover Letter for a Teaching Job

The key to writing your teacher cover letter can be distilled into two main points: don’t be generic and don’t let it become a repeat of your resume. 

Step 1: Don’t skimp on researching the teaching role

Just as you want to tailor your resume to the school where you want to work and to its accompanying  teacher job description , you should do the same with your cover letter. Sure, this requires extra research, but what’re 20 or 30 minutes when this effort can pay off in dividends? Not only will research ensure your cover letter is relevant—not vague and generic—it’ll also prepare you well for common  teacher interview questions .

Additionally, leverage your research to demonstrate a real interest in the role you’re applying for as well as in the school itself.

• Discuss how your commitment to standardized testing has improved students’ performance at other schools.
• Share how Google Classroom has transformed your STEM projects.

Step 2: Go beyond your teaching resume

Addressing the specific needs and concerns mentioned in the job description will have the desired effect  as long as you go beyond what you included in your resume . Mentioning that you’re a rock star at using Google Classroom isn’t enough; principals have  already  gathered that from your resume bullet points and  skills section .  

This is your opportunity to specifically share what you’ve done with Google Classroom. Many teachers set up Google Classroom for their students but don’t get around to using it. What have you done that sets the standard for every teacher following you? This is when quantifying your experience becomes exceptionally valuable. 

• Demonstrate how this resource has decreased late submissions by 53 percent.
• What did you do exactly to accomplish such a feat? One-on-one tutoring, an after-school club, unique teaching methodologies?

Step 3: Convey the right message

Beyond specific and descriptive paragraphs in your teacher cover letter, keep your document  at  or less than a page. Eliminate wordiness and avoid pleasantries. Be sincere and gracious, but, really, no one likes a teacher’s pet.   

So, consider your tone of voice. Be professional, avoiding clichés, contractions, colloquialisms, and the like. Remember you’re applying for a teaching position, not a quirky tech startup.

Consider your tone. Remember you’re applying for a teaching role, not a quirky tech startup.

And when you think your cover letter is ready to go, hold up! You’re, indeed, almost at the finish line, but what is it you tell your students to do before they submit an essay (which they inevitably  never  do)? 

Yep—it’s time to practice what you preach. Invite a few people you trust to review your cover letter and offer constructive criticism while your eyes and brain rest. Then, return to your work, consider the feedback, and scour for any last content issues and spelling and grammar errors. Make revisions, save your document, and send your best teacher cover letter to the principal and hiring department with your resume, application, and any other requested materials.

Your Teacher Cover Letter Format & Outline

Now, if you’re staring at a blinking cursor on a blank document, not sure how to make the examples and steps work for you, don’t fret. It’ll come together beautifully like a perfectly executed lesson plan.

You just need a comprehensive outline that breaks the cover letter for a teaching position into distinct sections, making it easy to understand what to include in each part.

How to start a teacher cover letter

Your contact info: If you’re using a template, fill in the letterhead to suit your needs. Just ensure you replace all filler text and don’t accidentally exclude critical information like your name, email, and phone number. 

• Formatting:  If you write a block business letter rather than use a template, including your address is standard. Additionally, while your name will be prominently displayed on a letterhead on a template, a basic but professional block letter should omit your name (the principal will find your name easily in your signature line).

Date:  If you write your cover letter today but don’t submit it until next week, edit the date, to reflect the day you submit the letter and other career documents for the specific teaching role. 

• Formatting:  Write out the full date, e.g. January 12, 2023.

Inside address:  This is the contact information for the principal or hiring department at the school. Name the specific person; then, include the school and position title, e.g., Ryan High School Principal. Complete this section with the school’s address.

• Formatting:  Each piece of the inside address should be on a new line. You’ll want a double space between the inside address and the greeting. 

Kyndra Marque Ryan High School Principal  5101 E McKinney St Denton, TX 76208

Greeting:  Your goal is to start on the right foot with your principal, so avoid issuing a generic greeting, also known as a salutation, like:

• Dear Principal,
• Dear Hiring Department,
• To Whom it May Concern:

While it can take some sleuth skills to track down the name of the hiring manager for some jobs,  most, if not all,  schools have staff listings on their website. You’re already researching the school to help you write an amazing cover letter, so take a couple of extra minutes to put a real name to the greeting:

• Dear Mr. Thatcher:
• Dear Ms. Li:
• Formatting:  Err on the side of caution and use a colon at the end of the greeting. A comma is more casual while a colon denotes professionalism, which will likely serve you best for a teaching role.  

How to write your teacher cover letter

Body:  The body of your teacher cover letter should be three to four brief paragraphs that state your interest, demonstrate your teaching credentials, and convey enthusiasm for further discussion. Let’s break it down further: 

• Formatting:  The body of your teaching cover letter should be single-spaced although you’ll need to double-space between paragraphs.

Opening paragraph:  The goal is simple—state your interest in the position and your overarching credentials that reflect your research for the specific role. While the goal is simple, the execution often leaves little to be desired. Too many teacher cover letters start the same way.

I found your posting online and am interested in filling the English III position. 

No. Just no. Bore the principal and the English department right out of the gate, and they’ll wonder whether you’ll hold the attention of your students. Instead, try:

With 12 percent of Ryan High’s student population slotted to graduate with honors, I am eager to lead the initiation of the English Advanced Placement program as stated in the job description. With seven years of experience teaching AP courses, I am confident that Ryan High’s students will excel in my classroom and beyond.

Not only does this signal that you’ve done your homework and researched the school’s unique standing and areas for growth, this opening paragraph hooks the reader. Clearly, you’re interested in the role, offer valuable experience, and with phrases like “lead the initiation” and “excel in my classroom,” there’s no doubt you’re confident and capable.

Paragraphs 2-3:  If you can squeeze in the third paragraph, we recommend it as each paragraph is an opportunity to demonstrate indisputable evidence of the credentials and qualifications you boldly state in your opening paragraph. 

Each paragraph should not be a repeat of your resume; rather, each paragraph should hone in on  one  clear accomplishment, be it the results of your teaching methodology, values, or something else. Don’t try to tackle multiple topics in a paragraph. Be detailed, specific, and quantify your results when possible. 

Closing paragraph:  Clench an interview with this final paragraph. Now’s not the time to lay your head on your desk and call it a day. Don’t let this be your closing paragraph:

I believe I am the perfect candidate for this teaching position, and I look forward to hearing back from you soon. 

At best, it exudes laziness. At worst, no one will believe you’re actually interested in the job but just need something to put beans on the table. 

Instead, demonstrate that your unique values and qualifications align with the school’s needs, which will indicate a genuine interest in the role— even if you are  desperate to put beans on the table.

Finally, add a call to action that anticipates a follow-up or interview. With the following closing paragraph, it’s clear that teaching is far more to you than just a job:

Solving students’ pain points is more than acknowledging their existence. To me, pain points are a starting point to discovery. I firmly believe that some of the most challenging endeavors have the power to yield the most fruitful results. If these results speak to you, I am eager to share more of what my non-traditional classroom looks like and what you can expect from Belleville’s students and from me as their geometry instructor.  

How to end a teacher cover letter

Signature:  While you can include your gratitude at the end of the closing paragraph, you can also express thanks when you sign off. Keep it professional, and use your real name here just as you will on your resume and application form. 

• Formatting:  Typically, you’ll send your cover letter to the principal’s email; however, if you deliver your career docs in person or—gasp—by mail, be sure to quadruple space and sign your name in blue or black ink between your closing line and typed name.

Thank you for your consideration,

Marcus DeWitt 

Enclosure(s):  This is important, and most job seekers, including teachers, fail to include it. “Enclosure(s)” means that more documents follow your cover letter.

What information would that be? Well, hopefully, your  teacher resume , likely the school’s application, potentially your teaching license, also your college transcripts, and maybe even a reference letter or two, depending on the requirements detailed in the  teacher job ad . 

After your signature, you’ll include “Enclosure(s),” followed by the exact documents in order of appearance. 

• Formatting:  Use the singular form of “enclosure” if you’re only including one document. Also, include each additional document on a new line. 

Enclosures: Resume Application 2 letters of recommendation

See, including this final section is literally easier than writing your own address. Include it, and automatically set yourself apart from other teachers vying for the same role. 

Finish Strong with Your Teacher Resume

Now, that you’ve got the tools to confidently wow principals and departmental heads with your teacher cover letter, have you considered the current state of your resume? Maybe you’ve already updated and polished it, and if that’s you, kudos to you—you’re ahead of the game! 

If you’re blowing out an exaggerated breath because you’ve relegated your resume to the nether regions of your mind, we get it. But teacher resumes are judged more harshly than most. Hiring teams don’t cut a lot of slack when they’re looking for talent who will teach their students to communicate, read, and write well.   

So, if it’s time to think seriously about re-writing or, let’s face it,  writing  your resume  from scratch, take a page from us (literally) and get inspired with our  free resume templates  and  teacher resume examples  like the one below.

Elementary Teacher Resume

Need a resume to pair with your elementary teacher cover letter?

Your career documents are a pain in the tush, we know, but think of us as your biggest cheerleaders. With our  resume builder ,  Google resume templates ,  Word resume templates , and expert-approved guidance, your teacher resume and cover letter are sure to win you interviews and secure your next role, where you just might earn Teacher of the Year at your next school. 

Every school you apply to will likely have slightly different teaching styles, cultures, and objectives they would like to achieve throughout the year. You can use your cover letter to connect your previous experiences to their mission and goals. For instance, if you volunteered for an early-age reading program, that would be a great experience to connect when applying to a K-5 position where the school wants to improve student reading scores.

Ideally, you want to match your tone to the feel of each school’s job description. Does the school have a very formal and knowledgeable tone in the description? Then being more formal and factual about your knowledge and experiences in different teaching styles they emphasize would be a great idea. For example, citing factual information about how you used hybrid learning to create 75% higher material retention in math subjects would work well in this instance.

Try to address your cover letter to a specific person in the school. Typically, this will be a principal, superintendent, or human resources hiring manager that would be reviewing teacher resumes . Check through the job description to see if a specific name is listed who will be reviewing applications, or review the school’s website for this information. If you can’t find anything, you can simply address it to “[Name of school] hiring staff” or something similar.

Teacher Cover Letter Examples + Templates

• 30% higher chance of getting a job‡
• 42% higher response rate from recruiters‡

Our customers have been hired at: * Foot Note

Teachers play a vital role in educating and shaping future generations. They work in a variety of settings, including public and private schools, colleges and universities and community organizations. Teachers have strong communication skills, patience and a passion for education. While the job can be challenging, teaching can be a rewarding career that makes a difference in the lives of students and communities.

When paired with a well-written resume , a strong teacher cover letter can help you highlight your exemplary behavioral management and interpersonal skills . With our example teacher cover letters and comprehensive guide to writing a cover letter , we’ll help you land an interview and secure your next role. 

More Cover letter examples for the next step in your teaching career

• Adjunct Professor Cover Letter
• Assistant Teacher Cover Letter
• Elementary Teacher
• Graduate Assistant Cover Letter
• Instructor Cover Letter
• Kindergarten Teacher Cover Letter
• Master Teacher Cover Letter
• Preschool Teacher Cover Letter
• Student Assistant Cover Letter
• Student Teacher Cover Letter
• Summer Teacher Cover Letter
• Teaching Assistant Cover Letter
• Tutor Cover Letter
• Teacher’s Aide Cover Letter

Teacher cover letter (text version)

Jennie Williams

Newark, NJ 07101

(555) 555-555

[email protected]

Jan. 02, 2024

Caroline  Vance,

Newark Public Schools

Newark, NJ 07102

Phone: (555) 555-5555

E-Mail: [email protected]

Dear Caroline Vance,

Upon learning about the teacher posting with Newark Public Schools, I was eager to contact you with my interest. When reviewing the job description, I was excited to see how well my experience aligns with your school’s needs and position requirements. From reading your website, I feel your core mission and culture suit what I offer as a professional.

As an adept elementary teacher, I have a well-rounded skill set in group and individual instruction and honed talents in lesson planning and classroom management, making me an ideal fit for the teacher position. Further, I am a recognized expert in communication and team collaboration. 

In my previous role, I had the opportunity to develop and execute an innovative project-based learning curriculum that received recognition at a regional education conference, showcasing student work and achievements. This initiative not only boosted student creativity but also contributed to a 25% increase in positive feedback from parents.

During my tenure, I served as the coordinator for the Elementary English Olympiad, guiding students to multiple victories at the district level. Also, I collaborated in a successful after-school tutoring program targeting 100 struggling students, leading to a 30% improvement in their academic performance. This program received a commendation from the school administration for its positive impact on student achievement.

I am excited at the prospect of bringing my talents to Newark Public Schools. I look forward to hearing from you, at your earliest convenience, to discuss how my experience and qualifications will prove valuable in the teacher role.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

How to format a teacher cover letter

A cover letter is your chance to introduce yourself to the hiring manager. It allows you to expand on your resume skills , connect with the hiring manager and show them why you’re the one for the job. Your cover letter should highlight your patience, resourcefulness and passion for education. 

Teachers use their knowledge and creativity to design lesson plans, engage students and assess learning outcomes. An effective teacher cover letter will include measurable achievements that exemplify how you’ve effectively communicated with students, parents, teachers and school administrators in your prior roles. 

That’s a lot for one page, but we’re here to help! It all starts with using the correct cover letter format . Start by editing these cover letter examples for teachers or explore our collection of 200+ cover letter examples to find the best match for you. 

Use the business format for your teacher cover letter

A cover letter is a business letter, so use the standard business letter format. Take a look at our example cover letters for teachers to get started. 

Use 1-inch margins on all sides, single space and left alignment on your one-page document. The length of your cover letter should not exceed one page. 

As our example cover letters for teaching positions show, your cover letter must also include:

• A header with your name, city, state, ZIP code and telephone number. 
• A greeting like “Dear Alice Walters” or “Dear Hiring Manager.” 
• A simple closing, like “Best regards” or “Respectfully.” 

Using a cover letter template is the best way to ensure your cover letter is formatted correctly and can pass most application tracking systems (ATS) . 

Plug it into our Cover Letter Builder and we’ll do the work for you. We’ll offer ready-made content ideas for your cover letter that target essential skills such as organization, classroom management and curriculum planning. In minutes, you’ll have a professional cover letter for a teaching job to pair with your resume. 

How to write a teacher cover letter

Start with a compelling introduction.

Hiring managers spend only seconds scanning job applications, so you must immediately hook them with your teacher cover letter. Think of your cover letter introduction like an elevator pitch and be clear, concise and direct.

Begin by explaining why you’re writing and which position you’re applying for. Express your interest in the position and why you are excited about the opportunity to work at the school or organization. 

This can be a great place to showcase your passion for teaching and your commitment to student success. Highlight your relevant qualifications and experience that make you a strong candidate for the position.

This may include your education, certifications, teaching experience and any other relevant skills or achievements that you want to mention right away. 

Use accomplishments to explain why you’re a great fit for the role

The body of your teacher cover letter should paint an in-depth picture of your career while providing insight into your interests and values. In one or two paragraphs, show the potential employer what you can do. 

Use action verbs to describe your unique accomplishments and keywords from the job description to explain your hard skills and soft skills . Highlight the skills and qualifications that make you a strong candidate for the position, such as experience with curriculum development, classroom management or technology integration. 

Explain your teaching philosophy and how it aligns with the mission and values of the school or organization. Provide details about your teaching experience, including the grades and subjects you have taught, any special projects or initiatives you have led, and any successes or challenges you have faced. 

Close with an invitation

Just like our cover letter examples for teaching jobs, use the final paragraph to thank the hiring manager for their time and reiterate your interest in the job. Close by inviting them to contact you to learn more about your teaching qualifications. 

Pair your teacher with a matching resume

How do you write a cover letter for a teacher position.

To make a good cover letter, use a standard business letter format, include your contact details and the potential employers’ contact information, address the hiring manager if possible and explain how your job qualifications match the job.  

A cover letter for a teacher position should highlight relevant skills such as lesson planning and classroom management. Here are some things hiring managers or principals may be looking for in a teacher candidate:

• Patience: In order to find success in education, aspiring teachers must be patient with young learners.
• Resourcefulness: With reduced budgets and more teacher requirements, educators must show resourcefulness in their personality.
• Strong ability to communicate: Teachers must demonstrate strong communication skills when writing or speaking.
• Professional attitude: To show how serious a candidate is, he or she must maintain a professional attitude at all times.

Do I need a teacher cover letter?

Yes. A cover letter is an essential piece of a job application. While a resume provides a snapshot of your professional career, a cover letter fills in the blanks. Cover letters tell hiring managers who you are and why you want the job. 

Additionally, cover letters provide the opportunity to explain career gaps, recent moves to another geographic location or a career move. You can use an AI cover letter generator like My Perfect Resume to create a polished and compelling teacher cover letter in a matter of minutes. 

Remember to tailor your cover letter to the specific position and school you’re applying to. Use specific examples and language that demonstrate your fit for the job, and avoid generic or overly formal language. 

Get prepared for the next steps by reviewing what to expect during an interview and practicing common behavioral interview questions . 

How long should a cover letter be?

Your cover letter for a teacher job should be half a page to one page long. Aim for about 250-500 words.

Remember to emphasize your student-centered approach to teaching and discuss how you create a positive and inclusive learning environment for all students. 

Learn exactly how long your cover letter should be to make a memorable impression on potential employers with our expert guide.

Who do you address a teaching cover letter to?

Ideally, you should address a teaching cover letter to the hiring manager or the person responsible for reviewing applications. This information is typically included in the job posting or can be found on the school or organization’s website. 

If the job posting does not include the name of the hiring manager or recruiter, you can address the letter to the school principal, department head or the hiring committee. Avoid using general salutations such as “To Whom It May Concern” as they can come across as impersonal. 

If you’re unable to find the name of the hiring manager, you can address the letter to the school or organization itself. For example, “Dear [School Name] Hiring Team” or “Dear [School Name] Human Resources Department.” 

Remember to use a professional tone throughout your cover letter, regardless of who you are addressing.

Best practices

• Address the recruiter or hiring manager directly.
• Explain what attracted you to the school in one or two sentences. For instance, the school’s commitment to inclusion and diversity. 
• Customize your teacher cover letter for the job. 
• Include keywords from the job description throughout. For example, “curriculum development” and “technology integration.” 
• End with a clear call to action. 
• Proofread your cover letter more than once. 
• Write a generic teacher cover letter. Instead, include specific examples of your lesson planning and instructing skills. 
• Write more than one page. 
• Use generic salutations, like “To Whom It May Concern.”
• Regurgitate your resume. Expand on your resume with detailed accounts of how you create a positive and inclusive learning environment.  
• Rely on automatic grammar or spell-checkers. 
• Write a fan letter, even if it is your dream job. 

Resume examples for the next step in your teaching career

• Assistant Teacher Resume
• Master French Teacher Resume
• Teacher Resume
• Summer Teacher Resume
• Adjunct Professor Resume
• Homeschool Teacher Resume
• Early Childhood Teacher Resume
• Preschool Teacher Resume
• High School Social Studies Teacher Resume
• Retired Teacher Resume
• Piano Teacher Resume
• Early Childhood Assistant Resume
• Foreign Language Teacher Resume
• Spanish Teacher Resume
• Language Professor Resume
• Nurse Educator Resume
• Public Health Advisor Resume
• English Teacher Resume
• ESL Teacher Resume
• Tutor Resume
• High School Teacher Resume
• Middle School Teacher Resume
• Elementary Teacher Resume

CV examples for the next step in your teaching career

• Adjunct Professor CV
• Arabic Teacher CV
• Assistant Professor CV
• Beginning Teacher CV
• Chinese Teacher CV
• Driving Instructor CV
• English Teacher CV
• Entrepreneur CV
• French Teacher CV
• Fresher Teacher CV
• Graduate Assistant CV
• Fourth Grade Teacher CV
• Nurse Educator CV
• Physics Professor CV
• High School Teacher CV
• Teaching Assistant CV
• SAT Tutor CV
• University Professor CV

How we reviewed this article

Since 2013, we have helped more than 15 million job seekers. We want to make your career journey accessible and manageable through our services and Career Center’s how-to guides and tips. In our commitment to bring you a transparent process, we present our Editorial Process .

• Indeed. Article. Redfield, Melissa. What’s the Job Outlook for Teachers in 2023  
• Point Loma Nazarene University. Article. What’s the Job Market Like for Teachers Today?
• Teachers of Tomorrow. Article. 10+ Teacher Skills You Need on Your Resume in 2023

Rate this article

4.5/5 stars with 501 reviews

Elizabeth Muenzen, CPRW

Career advice expert.

Elizabeth is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and a member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Careers Coaches. She is passionate about delivering information that empowers job seekers to achieve their professional goals.

‡ Results derived from a study responded by 1000 participants of which 287 created a resume online.

*The names and logos of the companies referred to above are all trademarks of their respective holders. Unless specifically stated otherwise, such references are not intended to imply any affiliation or association with MyPerfectResume.

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• Cover Letter Examples

ESL Teacher Cover Letter Sample (also for No Experience)

Our customers have been hired by:

In an ever more globalized world, unlocking the knowledge to speak more than one language is a crucial step for anyone’s personal development. English, being the current lingua franca, is no different. Teachers without a doubt form the foundation of our society.

That should mean you can get a teaching job just by asking nicely enough, right?

As the world ever so slowly realizes the impact of the teaching profession, more and more schools are offering more lucrative positions, but only for the best teachers.

In other words—

Without a good ESL teacher cover letter, you’ll flunk out of the recruitment process.

It’s back to school time for you, at least for the next 10 minutes or so!

This guide will show you an ESL teacher cover letter sample, plus the best tips to write an ESL teacher cover letter step-by-step.

Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from  20+ professional cover letter templates  that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.

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Sample cover letter for a resume— See more cover letter templates and create your cover letter here .

Looking for other education-oriented positions? See some of the following guides:

• Education Cover Letter Examples
• Teacher Cover Letter Examples
• Elementary Teacher Cover Letter Examples
• Substitute Teacher Cover Letter Examples
• School Counselor Cover Letter Examples
• Teaching Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Paraprofessional Cover Letter Examples
• Librarian Cover Letter Examples
• Academic Cover Letter Examples
• Volunteer Cover Letter Examples
• Tutor Cover Letter Examples
• Nanny Cover Letter Examples
• Translator Cover Letter Examples
• Best Cover Letter Examples for Any Job

ESL Teacher Cover Letter Sample

Harry Lockwood

ESL Teacher

4599 Ashford Drive

Washington, VA 20200

703-673-0514

[email protected]

Linkedin.com/in/harryjlockwood

Mrs. Debra Williams

Principal at Proust International High

1554 Walt Nuzum Farm Road

Spencerport, NY 14559

Dear Debra,

I’m incredibly pleased (and excited!) to be writing this message to you, in response to the recent opening for an ESL teacher in Proust International. I firmly believe my past 19 years of experience in teaching English, both to foreigners and native speakers alike, as well as my drive, creativity, and enthusiasm make me a strong candidate for this position.

Having come from a family of dedicated teachers, I saw only one sensible path for me to take career-wise from very early on in my life. At Greenhill High School, where I last taught, I was lucky to work with some brilliant and inquisitive youthful minds. 97% of my students’ English grades were higher than C, and 65% higher than B. Some of my other achievements include:

• Taking a total of 27 students to the finals of the ESU National Shakespeare Competition.
• Launching and leading an initiative in the school, which aimed to help the most disenfranchised and disempowered students have a fairer shot, lowering the number of failed grades in English by 18% across the board over 8 years.
• Receiving the Students’ Pupil award three times for outstanding performance and general likability.

While Greenhill High isn’t strictly an international school, I also previously taught and tutored English as a second language to kids aged 8–17.

Proust International clearly values equal opportunity and fair treatment—I was very touched by the personal stories shared through your Reach Out program on your website. It would mean the world to me if I could participate in this initiative, while also pouring my heart out to teach as well as I could in your school.

I’d be delighted to discuss my skills and expertise in more detail, along with how I could apply myself towards enhancing the language skills of your students. 

P.S.: I’m eager to share my ideas on how I could improve graduation rates in English in Proust International by a third.

What do we think, A or A+? Regardless, in a few minutes, you’ll turn your cover letter into one of similar caliber.

Also, just as receptive and productive skills go together, so do the cover letter and resume. See our resume guide here if you haven’t already:  ESL Teacher Resume Sample and Writing Guide .

ESL Teacher Cover Letter Template

Here’s our breakdown of the best ESL teacher cover letter writing practices:

1. Format Your ESL Teacher Cover Letter Perfectly

Ever wanted to travel and make it lucrative at the same time?

You’re in luck!

The demand for ESL teachers abroad is very high: and it’s steadily rising!

If you think you can leisurely cruise your way to a cushy teaching job somewhere out there just because of your native English, think again. A poorly constructed cover letter won’t get you far.

So, just like a teaching program,  your cover letter needs to have structure . Otherwise, you end up building a shaky foundation, and that just leads nowhere but down.

Follow these cover letter formatting tips to pass with flying colors:

• Set margins to 1” on each side.
• The right cover letter spacing is 1 or 1.15 between lines. Use double spacing between different paragraphs.
• The cover letter font size should be set to 12 or 11pt.
• Bear in mind the total word count before you begin writing your assignment. The recommended cover letter length is one page, split into 3 to 4 paragraphs.

Read more:  Professional Cover Letter Outline

When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check .  Start by picking a resume template here .

When you’re done, our online resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

2. Set Yourself up for Success with a Great Cover Letter Header

You’re almost ready to get to writing: 

You just need to address your cover letter properly , first. 

If you’re familiar with the business letter format, you’ll have no trouble filling in the header of your cover letter . Otherwise, here’s a cheat sheet for you: 

• To start with, you want to include your name, job title , contact information (phone and email) at the top. Add your mailing address only if you’re applying by traditional post. 
• Including links to your social media profiles like LinkedIn or Twitter is optional, but if you decide to go for it, check your online presence first .
• Leave a line blank, write down the date, and then skip another line.
• Add the contact details of the hiring manager (or principal, if you’re applying to work at a school). 

If you can’t easily get the information on the person responsible for hiring ESL teachers at your company/organization of choice, try calling in personally. It’s worth it! 

3. Start with the Right Salutation and a Strong First Paragraph

How would it make you feel if your students called out Dear Sir or Madam! when they needed to get your attention? 

Yeah. 

Chances are, you’d much prefer to be addressed by your first or last name. 

Guess what: 

It’s the same with hiring managers and school principals. So, for your cover letter greeting , skip the Dear Sirs/Madams and To Whom it May Concerns and use the person’s name. 

That kind of directness may appear too informal, but it’s actually the opposite—it breaks the ice and draws the reader’s attention.

Then, in the opening paragraph: 

• Mention the title of the position you’re applying for, so they know you’re not teaching Spanish.
• Start off strong and list a strength or accomplishment of yours. Use numbers and active verbs for maximum impact! 

Read more: How to Start a Cover Letter with a Bang

4. Elaborate on What Makes You the ESL Teacher They Need

Being challenging, with reasonably high expectations and a sense of humor—that is just a handful of character traits that studies enumerate as the most important qualities of an effective ESL teacher.

Now, it’s up to you to convey that on a cover letter. Try this:

• Consider the following: what kind of school or institution is this? What are their needs? Did the job ad reference any particular difficulties or requirements that need to be met?
• Highlight how your professional experience and skillset are designed to meet all challenges head on.
• Talk yourself up further by listing more of your achievements, using numbers wherever possible.

If you’re writing an ESL cover letter with no experience, don’t worry: you can still make it work. 

Use what you do have—your transferable skills , education, and experience in other jobs—to show that you’d make a great ESL teacher. 

Read more: How to Write a Cover Letter with No Experience

5. Show Why You Want This ESL Teaching Job in Particular

You’re in luck: 

There’s plenty of work for ESL teachers out there. 

But you’re applying for one specific job: and in the next paragraph of your cover letter, you need to explain why you want this position more than any other. 

• Demonstrate what it is about this school, their mission, or values they hold near and dear that makes you want to work for them.
• Education in particular is a field where short-term employment has a negative effect. Convince the principal you’re not just jumping in for a semester or two.

Pro Tip: Even after giving a presentation on your assets and strong suits, it’s generally inadvisable to bring up  salary requirements in a cover letter .

6. Seal the Deal with an Offer They Cannot Refuse

Here’s the harsh truth: 

Thanks for your time is just not going to cut it as an effective cover letter ending . 

That’s why your final exam comes in the form of making a call to action. Intrigue your reader by making a promise of what hiring you would entail in terms of value.

Suggest setting up a time and date for an in-person meeting or phone interview. You know, like a PTA meeting, but not really. 

Read more : What Should a Cover Letter Say? Full Guide & Examples

7. Sign off the ESL Teacher Cover Letter the Right Way

Ready to sign and submit? 

Here’s a set of tips on how to do it properly: 

• End the cover letter with a professional sign-off, like “Sincerely,”. Don’t be tacky, simplicity all the way.
• Repeat your basic information, like ways to contact you and your name, once again, at the bottom.
• If you have an extra offer or achievement to share, do it in a P.S. below your signature. They won’t see it coming! 
• If the school or institution requires any  cover letter enclosures , be sure to send those as well.
• Lastly,  name the file of your cover letter with your name and position.

Read more:  Effective and Professional Cover Letter Templates

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here.  Here's what it may look like:

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

And that’s that!

With a cover letter like that, nobody would dare to think you didn’t do your cover letter writing homework.

Thanks for reading. Still need catch-up classes for closing out a cover letter or properly mentioning your strengths? Hit us up in the comments below!

About Zety’s Editorial Process

This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines . We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

• https://www.alliant.edu/blog/there-world-wide-demand-tesol-teachers
• https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED574883.pdf

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ESL Teacher Cover Letter—Samples [+ No Experience]

Teaching ESL is a superpower. You give students (and sometimes entire families) a leg up in life, and you do it with passion. Prove it in your ESL teacher cover letter.

Teaching is known to be one of the happiest professions on earth, and you get a kick out of it every single day. Although you’ve hit a wall a while ago, you’re still not giving up on your journey to find the perfect ESL job.

Are you ready to meet your new kids? Write the perfect ESL teacher cover letter first!

In this guide:

• Two sample ESL teacher cover letters—one for an experienced candidate and one for an applicant with no experience.
• How to format a cover letter for an ESL teaching position.
• A full guide with instructions on how to write an ESL teacher cover letter that will land you more interviews.
• Ready-made cover letter templates that you can have ready in 15 minutes. 

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Considering different position in academics? See these cover letter guides:

• Academic Advisor Cover Letter
• Academic Cover Letter
• Cover Letter for Faculty Position
• Elementary Teacher Cover Letter
• Postdoc Cover Letter
• Research Assistant Cover Letter
• School Counselor Cover Letter
• Substitute Teacher Cover Letter
• Teacher Cover Letter
• Tutor Cover Letter

Don't have a resume yet? Check out our dedicated ESL Teacher Resume Guide .

Before we dive in to how to write a cover letter for ESL teachers, let’s look at a couple examples first:

1. ESL Teacher Cover Letter Samples

First, let’s meet Diana. Diana is a bilingual ESL teacher with a strong background in teaching English to classes by planning and presenting lessons.

She has a big passion for conducting activities that target confidence, perception, vocabulary building, pronunciation practice, and grammar, and she uses her cover letter to prove that. Let’s take a look at how she does:

ESL Teacher Cover Letter (Experienced)

Diana Piasecki

ESL Teacher

4290 Elm Drive Apt #512

New York, NY 10016

646-445-8600

[email protected]

New York, July 30, 2021

Andrea Mabery

Principal 

River East Elementary School

2890 Denver Avenue

Dear Ms. Mabery,

It is with great enthusiasm that I submit my application for a position as an ESL Teacher with the New York City Geographic School District No. 4. As a 2015 graduate of York College, I have student teaching experience on the fourth-, and fifth- grade level. I believe that my experience as well as passion for teaching make me a uniquely qualified candidate. 

I understand that the position requires an ability to form good relationships with students, colleagues, and parents, as well as being independent, self-starting, and highly motivated. As an outgoing and innovative ESL teacher with experience in navigating differences in culture flexibly and with an open mind, I am adept in learning style assessments and Individualized Lesson Plans (IEP's). During my time at Forts Ferry School, I have worked in 30 to 40 student classrooms by creating lesson plans implementing the BPSS learning standards, rules and regulations. As a bilingual teacher (with native Polish) I’ve been awarded the best foreign teacher award for the 2018–2019 Winter and Spring quarters. Helping students establish their personal, vocational, academic, and citizenship goals is a passion of mine and I always strive to interact with every student that I have.

I’ve heard so many wonderful things about the River East Elementary School and working with you would be a great opportunity, as well as experience.

Could we schedule a time to meet to discuss how I could provide English skills' assessment, advising, academic, vocational and personal assistance to English as a Second Language students at the River East Elementary School?

• Kind regards,

Take notes from Diana’s cover letter if you want to land an ESL teaching opportunity of your own, because she nailed it. Her cover letter clearly provides the details of her accomplishments and a little more personality than her resume.And that’s the perfect combination. 

Don’t have professional achievements yet? No worries, there is a way to write a great ESL teacher cover letter if you have no experience. 

Let’s take a look at Daniel’s cover letter first:

ESL Teacher Cover Letter No Experience

Daniel Martinez

916 Angus Road Apt. 402

New York, NY 10007

336-831-3725

[email protected]

New York, June 27, 2021

I am interested in applying for an ESL teaching position in your school district. I strongly believe I possess the necessary skills and knowledge you are seeking and would make a valuable addition to your school.

As a recent graduate holding an ESOL bachelor’s degree, I am familiar with the requirements for success in this profession and I believe I possess the right combination of teaching skills. I have taught English as a second language to middle school students during my studies, as a volunteer for the Brooklyn English Language Center, and I would use this experience if hired to teach for the River East Elementary School. As a volunteer, I have tutored a total of 12 children on English as Second Language (ESL), during 1–3 hour appointments, which helped improve students’ GPA on average by 0.3 after a year’s mentorship. I’ve assisted students with specific assignments related to English grammar, composition, and reading. 

I am confident that my ability to plan programs of study that meets the individual student’s needs, interests, and abilities, as well as knowledge acquired during my studies, will be a great help to your staff. Working for River East Elementary would be a great opportunity for me to develop my teaching skills and additional challenge of teaching the exceptionally gifted students at your school.

My resume is attached for your review. I am sending an official copy of my transcript along with references under a separate cover. 

I'd be happy to discuss River East Elementary’s upcoming projects and share how my experience and skills can further invigorate your school. 

• Best regards,

Even though Daniel doesn’t have much work experience, he sold himself as someone who’s highly knowledgeable and experienced in teaching kids English as a second language.

Notice what really pops in this cover letter? Numbers. Any metrics that you can use to prove that you’ve been successful at something will immediately put you several levels above and present you as a highly qualified professional.

Ready to write your own ESL teacher cover letter?

2. How to Write an ESL Teacher Cover Letter?

Let’s start with the basics…

1. Format Your ESL Teacher Cover Letter in an Organized Way

Writing student reports is a tedious job. It’s time-consuming, stressful and generally a pain in the rear.  Every report has to be concise, well-organized and neatly presented. Prove that you’ll nail them every quarter by showing off your attention to detail. Start with your cover letter format.

Check out the rules on how to properly format your cover letter :

Cover Letter For ESL Teacher: Formatting

• Use the same print type as your resume font .
• Left-align all of your cover letter parts . Don’t use justification.
• Use 1.15 spacing and 1-inch margins on all four sides of the document.
• How long should a cover letter be ? Try to fit into one page. 

Keep these rules in mind, and your cover letter will look professional and businesslike.

2. Include Personal Details and Contact Information in Your Cover Letter Header

Starting in the top left corner of your cover letter is your cover letter heading . Since it’s a formal letter, make sure it looks like a business document, with your personal information and contact details, the date (and city) of writing below, and the school’s information below that.

Here’s what it should look like:

ESL Teacher Cover Letter: Header

[ Your Name] (Optional Post-Nominal Letters)

[ Your Job Title ] (Optional)

[ Home Address ] (Optional)

[ Telephone Number ]

[ Email Address ]

[ LinkedIn Profile ]

[ City ] (Optional) + [ Date of Writing ]

[ Hiring Manager’s Name ]

[ Hiring Manager’s Job Title ]

[ Company Name ]

[ Company Street Address ]

[ City, State, Zip Code ]

Now all you have to do is fill out the above template with your own information and make sure it matches your resume header :

• Make sure the typography is the same—use the same font, same size and lettering.
• If you choose to align your resume address to the left, make sure your cover letter header is placed the same, if you decide to put it in the center, do the same on your cover letter, and so on... 
• Use the same spacing on both documents—including 1-inch resume margins on all sides.
• Choose the same or similar designs for both your resume and cover letter to make them matching. 

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now .

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOW

Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, and highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You’re the perfect candidate, and we’ll prove it. Use our resume builder now .

3. Begin With a Proper Salutation and an Introduction

Grabbing the attention of a class is a talent. And you’ve got a handful of tricks to spark students’ interest, so why not use one of them to catch the eye of the principal?

The beginning of your letter should grab the attention of the hiring manager and make them want to learn more about you. When writing the opening paragraph of your cover letter :

• Address your cover letter by using the name of the principal or hiring manager.
• Briefly introduce yourself by stating who you are and what position you are interested in.
• Mention one of your most important career accomplishments to excite them.

Check out this template: 

Cover Letter for ESL Teacher: First Paragraph

Dear   [Principal’s or Hiring Manager’s Name] :

As an ESL teacher with  [X] + years of experience in  [Your Area of Expertise] , I am excited to apply for an open position at  [Target Employer Name] . With a proven track record in   [Skill / Achievement 1]   and   [Skill / Achievement 2] , I am confident I can improve  [Something Important to the Institution]  at  [Target Employer Name] .

The first paragraph of your cover letter brings to mind a resume profile . Although, while the first section of your resume roughly summarizes your career, the opening paragraph of your resume should have much more personality and flow.

Expert Hint: If you don’t know or can’t find the hiring manager’s name, use “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear School Principal”. Don’t go for “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir or Madam”, as these greetings are old school and make your cover letter generic and impersonal.

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here .

4. Sell Your Qualifications in the Second Paragraph of Your Cover Letter

Be the protagonist of your own cover letter. Talk up your skills, education and experience and make them want to hire you right away. Your second paragraph is the inciting incident, the narrative event that will launch your new career opportunity.

ESL Teacher Cover Letter: Middle Paragraph

I understand you are seeking a candidate experienced in  [refer to the requirements of the job] . During my time at  [Name of Your Current or Most Recent Institution] , I have excelled at  [responsibilities, duties, projects, achievements, supported by metrics, if possible] . I am confident that these experiences will enable me to succeed at   [Target Institution Name] .

Remember to tailor your cover letter to the job you are applying to by using the same rules as you did when targeting your resume :

• Read the job advertisement carefully.
• Highlight the skills they’re especially looking for and the requirements.
• Use these keywords from the job ad when talking about your experiences and credentials. 

Expert Hint: Most large companies and organizations (schools included) use an ATS tracking system that helps them sort the resumes and prioritize ones that best fit the role. Using specific keywords from the job ad is a key tactic for writing an ATS resume  and cover letter, thus increasing your chances of getting an interview.

5. Explain Your Motivation for Applying for This Particular Job

Most students are motivated by praise and encouragement. Employers are usually no different.

They want to know they’re hiring someone who’s enthusiastic about working for them and who knows what they’re all about. So do some research on the school, check out what projects and community events they support, and be excited about joining them.

ESL Teacher Cover Letter: Third Paragraph

I am extremely excited to even be considered for this position at  [Target Institution Name] , as I believe the school’s focus on  [Value / Goal]  will allow me to  [Something Important to the Employer] . I would be glad to bring my expertise in  [Skill / Achievement]  to improve student outcomes at  [Target Institution Name] .

Prove how much you care. That’ll make a huge difference. 

Expert Hint: ESL teaching jobs in the US are expected to grow in the near future. The amount of students who are entering school as bilingual or are just learning English is at an all-time high. This means that ESL teachers will be needed at all grade levels. 

6. End Your Cover Letter With a Call to Action 

You’re almost done. The only thing your cover letter is missing now is a strong ending.

• First, make sure to ask for a meeting. Don’t just thank them for their time. Give them something they can’t say “no” to.
• Second, properly and politely sign off, using a professional closing.

Here are some alternatives to “sincerely” to use in a cover letter :

• Warm regards,
• With thanks,
• With best regards,
• Respectfully,
• With respect,

Feel free to use this cover letter closing template:

ESL Teacher Cover Letter: Closing

When could we chat about how my   [your best, most relevant skill/experience/their most important requirement]   skills can help  [Target Instituion Name]  achieve  [something important to this school] ?

Best Regards,

[Digital Copy of Your Handwritten Signature]

[Your Full Name]

[Phone Number]

[Email Address]

With ResumeLab’s resume builder you’ll write your resume in a flash. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Improve your resume in our resume builder now .

Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You’re the perfect candidate and we’ll prove it. Just pick one of 21 resume templates and get started now .

As you write a cover letter for ESL teaching positions, remember to:

• Match the header of your ESL teacher cover letter to your resume header.
• Address your cover letter to a specific person.
• State what position you’re applying to, and introduce yourself with a relevant achievement in the first paragraph.
• In the second paragraph, list your ESL teaching skills and accomplishments.
• Show some genuine interest in the school, do some research, and write about something that struck a chord with you in your last paragraph. 
• Request an interview and sign formally. 

Got questions on how to write a great resume for ESL teaching jobs? Leave a comment. We’ll be more than happy to help.

About ResumeLab’s Editorial Process

At ResumeLab, quality is at the crux of our values, supporting our commitment to delivering top-notch career resources. The editorial team of career experts carefully reviews every article in accordance with editorial guidelines , ensuring the high quality and reliability of our content. We actively conduct original research, shedding light on the job market's intricacies and earning recognition from numerous influential news outlets . Our dedication to delivering expert career advice attracts millions of readers to our blog each year.

Aleksandra is a career expert with a solid professional background in various industries. At ResumeLab, she shares her knowledge, insights and expertise with all applicants looking to make a career move with a perfect resume and cover letter that guarantee recognition and success.

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