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