| You are just out of school and excited about | | | | You should still do some research on the |
| your first teaching job, or, you are looking | | | | school district, and let them know which |
| to change careers and start educating | | | | teaching position you are interested in. |
| students; either way, you are going to need a | | | | Also, list two or three things that would |
| first-rate teacher cover letter. | | | | make you an asset to their teaching staff. |
| | | | Finally, simply write that you will follow up |
| Being able to craft an exceptional teacher | | | | to discuss possible openings, maybe giving a |
| cover letter is essential because it is your | | | | specific day or a time range in which to |
| first chance to make an impression on the | | | | expect your follow up, and make sure that you |
| employer, a chance to make him or her ask | | | | do indeed stick by your word and follow up. |
| them self "why should I interview this | | | | Of course, make sure that they have all of |
| applicant"? "What can he/she bring to the | | | | your contact info just in case something |
| table that the others can't?" If your teacher | | | | opens and they want to contact you. |
| cover letter doesn't show them your | | | | |
| uniqueness you may have a problem. | | | | Teacher cover letters should always be kept |
| | | | professional looking and "sounding." At the |
| There are several ways to go about getting | | | | top of the page should be listed your |
| help when you need to know about writing a | | | | address, do not put your name there, just |
| teacher cover letter. Most colleges and | | | | your address. On the next line, put that |
| universities offer help of this sort right at | | | | day's date. Next, you will want to put the |
| their student services office; there are also | | | | name of the employer, or person in charge of |
| books galore in your local library or | | | | hiring, if you do not have this information, |
| bookstore. However, the most powerful and | | | | get it! Call Administration and find out, it |
| most-oft used tool today, I believe, is the | | | | will only take you a second and it's a must. |
| Internet. You can go to any search engine and | | | | Make sure you have this person's title as |
| type in "teacher cover letter" and you will | | | | well, because that is what goes below his or |
| most certainly bring back several "hits." It | | | | her name. Then you will list the school or |
| can be tiring just reading through them and | | | | district name, below that, the address. |
| trying to weed out the good from the bad! | | | | Triple space and you are ready to address |
| | | | your potential employer: Dear Mr./Ms. |
| So, let me give you some help from someone | | | | Employer. |
| who has been there and done that, let's teach | | | | |
| you about writing a teacher cover letter... | | | | Your first paragraph should be kept short and |
| no pun intended! | | | | to the point; state the position you want. |
| | | | Explain why you are interested in this |
| But, before you begin writing, make sure you | | | | specific profession; this specific grade, |
| do some research on the school or educational | | | | etc. Try to make a connection. This is where |
| system you are applying to; it is always wise | | | | your research comes into play again. If you |
| to know a few facts beforehand and if it | | | | can make a connection do so concisely and |
| comes up in conversation during the interview | | | | explicitly; across-the-board statements will |
| you are trying to get, or if you can work it | | | | not work. If you don't have something that |
| in somehow, it will be impressive and show | | | | you are sure you can use, use nothing. It |
| how interested in the school district you | | | | will work better for you that way. |
| really are. | | | | |
| | | | Your second paragraph will probably be your |
| Next, choose a cover letter style. If your | | | | longest and should be the one that really |
| cover letter is in response to a job posting | | | | "reels'em in," so to speak. This is where you |
| in the newspaper, for instance, most people | | | | try and list two or three accomplishments |
| like to mention where they saw the ad. | | | | which can be backed up with specific |
| Recently, this action has come under debate, | | | | examples. Talk about general qualities that |
| with some people saying not to mention where | | | | you possess that would bring value to the |
| you saw the ad unless it was a referral, so | | | | school district you are applying to. You may |
| do what feels right to you. | | | | use examples from your resume but never copy |
| | | | word for word from it. If this paragraph gets |
| If you are sending your resume via email, | | | | too long, consider breaking it down into two, |
| make use of the Subject Line with something | | | | you want your teacher cover letter to have a |
| catchy, more than just your generic "Job | | | | consistent look and flow about it. |
| Opening, Resume Attached." Stay away from | | | | |
| fancy fonts and italics though. Make sure the | | | | Your final paragraph should be short and will |
| employer has all of your contact information | | | | simply refer to the enclosed resume, and also |
| as well as your full name. And last but not | | | | request an interview. Let them know what will |
| least, check for spelling and grammar. | | | | happen next, i.e. when you will be contacting |
| Spellchecker cannot and will not catch | | | | them to follow up. And last, but certainly |
| everything so you will have to proof read it | | | | not least, thank them for their time and |
| yourself, as well. Make sure you do! | | | | consideration. |
| | | | |
| If you are composing a Cold Call cover | | | | Well, that's all the time we have. Now how do |
| letter, simply address it to the School | | | | you feel about getting started on writing a |
| Administration Hiring Board, or whatever may | | | | teacher cover letter? |
| be more appropriate where you are applying. | | | | |