How to write the perfect teacher resume

Last updated: February 13, 2025
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How to write the perfect teacher resume
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How to write a perfect resume for teachers: tips and examples

There are around 3.7 million teachers in the U.S. Half a million work in private schools, and the rest work in public schools.

If you want to work as a teacher, you'll need the right skills and education. And you'll need a resume that sets you apart from the competition.

To help you get your application right, we've put together the following guide.

We'll tell you what a teacher does, and the qualifications you need to get a job. We'll also give you our top tips for your resume writing and show you sample resumes.

Finally, we'll give you a teacher resume template that you can use to support your job applications.

What is a teacher?

Teachers work in public schools and private schools. They are trained to teach specific grade levels. For example, there are early childhood teachers, primary school teachers, high school teachers, and special education teachers.

These educators create lesson plans and follow the curriculum. They assess students, give them test scores, and support them with their learning.

Teachers may need to customize learning plans for students who are having difficulty. They also need to communicate with the parents regularly.

Educators supervise students outside the classroom as well. They may need to be present during lunch breaks, excursions, and after-school activities. Part of a teacher’s job is to assign homework for their students.

Most teachers work full-time, but substitute teachers are available to fill in as needed.

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What education do you need to be a teacher?

If you want to work as a teacher, you'll need a bachelor's degree and a teaching certification. Some teachers have a master's degree.

To apply for a teaching degree, you’ll usually need a GPA (grade point average) of at least 2.5.

You may also need to choose a specific subject area as your major. For example, you may want to work as an English teacher, math teacher, or social studies teacher.

You'll get some practical work experience while you study.

If you're a new teacher, you'll get a mentor upon starting your first job. They'll help you improve your teaching skills and be there to answer any questions.

What skills do you need to be a teacher?

If you want to work as a teacher, you'll need excellent communication skills. A few of the top soft skills needed include patience, organization, and adaptability.

You'll also need to be approachable and a good team player. Anyone looking to become a teacher should feel comfortable working with others, attending meetings, and writing reports.

Teachers need to have computer skills in the modern age. For example, they should be confident using Microsoft Office, video conferencing software, and the Google Workplace for Education.

Top tips for your teacher resume

Here are five resume tips that will impress any hiring manager.

1. Highlight your education

After you've listed your work experience in chronological order, you should include an education section.

This section should highlight any relevant education, such as your bachelor's degree. You can include the name of the degree, the university, and the year of completion.

You can also list your majors and coursework. If you have a teaching certification and completed other short courses, you can add them as bullet points.

2. Focus on your skills

After the education section, you should add a skills section. Here you can briefly mention your preferred grade levels, such as middle school or high school.

Some of your skills may include classroom management, time management, planning, organization, good communication, and leadership.

The skills section should be short, with only your most relevant skills included.

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3. Personalize your cover letter

A cover letter should support your resume. Before writing your cover letter, read the job description carefully. Always customize your cover letter and resume to suit the position.

You should include the job title and use examples that match the criteria. You can also highlight your teaching experience, work history, and your teaching methods.

If you know the hiring manager’s name, you can address your cover letter to them directly.

4. Check your spelling and grammar

Before you send your resume, make sure to double-check your spelling and grammar. A teacher’s resume should be between one and two pages long, with consistent formatting.

You should also make sure that your contact details are up to date. Read your resume out loud to check for errors. You can also ask a friend to look over it for you.

5. Get your references ready

Before you submit your resume, make sure you have at least two references ready. If you do get to the job interview stage, the employer will want feedback from those who have worked with you.

Your references should be professionals who can verify your suitability for a teaching position. For example, it could be a former principal, colleague, or professor.

Always ask for permission before including someone as a reference.

You don't need to supply your references on your resume unless the job posting asks for them. But, you should still have them ready.

Teacher resume examples

If you've found a teaching job that you'd like to apply for, you'll need a professional resume.

Here are two teacher resume samples that should give you a good idea of what you need to do to succeed in the education industry.

1. High school teaching resume example

Toby Dobson

Certificated High School Teacher

(752)-046-5677

[email protected]

Summary of Experience

Motivated high school teacher with five years of experience teaching Art and Design. A supportive professional who boosted the overall pass rate of the 2019–2021 class by 41%. A compassionate and hardworking high school teacher who’s confident in creating personalized learning plans. Has worked as a mentor and leader, notably as the Art curriculum leader. Understanding and empathetic of adolescent’s social and emotional development.

Work Experience

High School Teacher (Art and Design)

Remarkable School, New York, NY

2019 - Present

Role and Responsibilities

  • Used the curriculum to develop lesson plans and modified them to suit individual learning styles

  • Created an inclusive and welcoming classroom environment for all students

  • Developed tests and assessments, and gave students feedback using action verbs.

  • Supported students to submit artwork to national competitions

  • Communicated effectively with parents and management

  • Integrated technology in the classroom

Achievements

  • Increased pass rate of students by 41% between 2019-2021

  • Nominated for Art curriculum leader

High School Teacher (Art and Design)

Gram School, New York, NY

2017 - 2019

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Worked with a mentor-teacher to develop lesson plans

  • Held practical, instructional classes using different media and methods

  • Taught the foundations and theory of art and design

  • Assessed students using exams, tests, and portfolios

Education

Bachelor of Art and Design

University of New York, NY

Completion: 2015

Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGD

University of New York, NY

Completion: 2016

Coursework: Understanding Behavior in the Classroom, Foundations of Education, Assessment and Data, Educational Leadership, Communicating Effectively, Working with Adolescents.

Courses and Certifications

  • New York educator certification

  • Working with children check

  • Police clearance

  • Senior first aid certificate

Skills

  • Lesson planning

  • Leadership skills

  • Strong interpersonal skills

  • Patience and empathy

  • Organized and efficient

References available on request

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2. Primary school teaching resume example

Rebecca Wilson

Certificated Junior Primary School Teacher

(732)-236-5234

[email protected]

Summary of Experience

A hardworking and compassionate junior primary school teacher. Three years of experience teaching children in years one to three. A friendly and approachable teacher with a strong interest in building the foundations of literacy and numeracy. A candidate who can successfully create a harmonious and inclusive classroom environment. Confidence corresponding with both parents and senior team members.

Work Experience

Junior Primary School Teacher

Castle School, New York, NY

2018 - present

Role and Responsibilities

  • Developed learning plans and offered extra support to disadvantaged children

  • Created a welcoming, supportive classroom environment

  • Assessed students with tests and essays to determine requirements for extra tuition

  • Helped students understand the foundations of literacy and numeracy

  • Communicated effectively with parents and management

  • Organized and attended excursions and extracurricular activities

Achievements

Completed the graduate teacher program

Invited to be a guest speaker at the University of New York

Education

Bachelor of Education (BEd)

University of New York, NY

Completion: 2015

Coursework: Literacy Skills, Foundations of Education, Primary Teaching Methods, Educational Leadership, Developmental Psychology.

Courses and Certifications

  • New York Educator Certification

  • Working with children check

  • Police clearance

Skills

  • Classroom management

  • Leadership skills

  • Assessments and tests

  • Patience and empathy

  • Organized and efficient

References available on request

Teacher resume template

(Full Name)

(Job description)

((000)-000-0000)

(Email address)

Summary of Experience

(A summary of your work experience, fifty to seventy words)

Work Experience (the experience section should be in chronological order, with your most recent job first)

(Job title)

(School name and location)

(Start and end date)

Role and Responsibilities

  • (Key responsibility)

  • (Key responsibility)

  • (Key responsibility)

  • (Key responsibility)

  • (Key responsibility)

  • (Key responsibility)

  • (Key responsibility)

Achievements

  • (Achievement or award)

  • (Achievement or award)

(Job title)

(School name and location)

(Start and end date)

Role and Responsibilities

  • (Key responsibility)

  • (Key responsibility)

  • (Key responsibility)

  • (Key responsibility)

Education

(Degree name)

(University)

Completion: (year)

Coursework: (course title, course title, course title, course title, course title, course title, course title)

Courses and Certifications

  • (teaching certification)

  • Working with children check

  • Police clearance

Skills

  • (Relevant skill)

  • (Relevant skill)

  • (Relevant skill)

  • (Relevant skill)

  • (Relevant skill)

References available on request

You can also check out the Jobcase resume builder.

Where to find a job as a teacher

When you're ready to apply for a teaching position, you can look for vacancies on our job board. Your dream job may be waiting for you in your closest school district.

You can start with these:

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Applying for a job as a teacher

Are you ready to apply for a job as a teacher? This resume guide told you about the skills and qualifications you need to start your career.

We also gave you our top resume writing tips to support your application.

We even showed you two school teacher resume formats, including high school and primary school samples.

Finally, we gave you a template that you can personalize and told you where to go to find a job.

Ready to start your job search? Browse our job board. Want more resume and interview tips? Check out our resource section.

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Bobby Marrero
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Crafting a strong resume as a teacher or childcare professional is all about showing your dedication to growth and learning, both for yourself and your students. Continuous education is a huge part of that, especially when you’re working with young kids who need the best care and teaching methods. That’s where resources like ceufast come in handy. From my experience, it’s a solid platform for staying on top of professional development, making sure you’re always learning and meeting those industry standards. If you're serious about building your expertise, it’s definitely worth exploring!

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Jennifer Pauli
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Writing a resume is quite a difficult task. You need to have the necessary skills for this. When I was applying for my first job as a writer my sister helped me to write a perfect resume. Fortunately now there are a lot of cool services, you can find them here https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/02/10/pay-for-essay-online-top-5-websites-for-college-students/ , that help to make a great resume in a few minutes. There is also a lot of valuable information on the Internet, you just need to search.

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