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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 ADVERTISEMENT

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

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Ultimate Teaching Job Application Letter Template

If you’re aiming to secure your next teaching role, the application letter is your opportunity to make a lasting first impression. After writing countless job application letters over the years, I’ve come to understand what makes a letter stand out to hiring committees. 

As someone who has successfully secured interviews through compelling job application letters, I’ve learned how to showcase my qualifications, passion for teaching, and unique experiences in ways that resonate with principals and hiring managers.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process of writing an ultimate teaching job application letter. I’ll share 3 unique templates, tips from my personal experience, and key points that can help you position yourself as the perfect candidate for the job.

Key Takeaways

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing the Ultimate Teaching Job Application Letter

1. research the school and position.

Before you even begin writing your letter, take time to research the school and the specific teaching role you’re applying for. This allows you to tailor your letter to reflect the school’s values and needs.

For example, when I applied for a teaching position at a STEM-focused high school, I emphasized my experience with technology in the classroom. This small detail helped my application stand out among dozens of other candidates.

Always make sure to mention something specific about the school. It could be their mission, recent accomplishments, or their unique programs that resonate with your experience or teaching style.

2. Introduce Yourself with Confidence

Start your letter with a brief but impactful introduction. Make sure to mention the role you’re applying for and how you heard about it. It’s essential to convey enthusiasm and confidence in this section.

For example:

• “As a passionate educator with over six years of experience, I am excited to apply for the [specific position] at [school name].”

Tip from Experience: I’ve found that keeping the introduction concise and direct works best. Don’t waste space rehashing your resume—focus on what excites you about the job.

3. Highlight Your Teaching Philosophy

Your teaching philosophy is the core of what makes you unique as a teacher. Make sure to include a section where you briefly explain your approach to teaching. This part of your letter is crucial because it shows the school that you’re thoughtful about your methods and how you engage with students.

For example, I once wrote:

• “I believe in fostering a student-centered learning environment that encourages curiosity and collaboration. My goal is to create a space where every student feels valued and empowered to succeed.”

By explaining your teaching approach, you give the hiring committee insight into how you will fit into their school culture.

4. Showcase Your Relevant Experience

In this section, focus on your qualifications and experience that directly relate to the teaching position. Include any certifications, special training, or key achievements that set you apart from other applicants.

Here’s a simple example:

• “In my previous role at [previous school], I successfully implemented a blended learning program that increased student engagement by 20%. Additionally, I hold a Master’s in Education, specializing in [subject], which aligns perfectly with the needs of [school].”

Tip from Experience: Be specific. Don’t just list duties; explain how your experience led to measurable outcomes. Principals and hiring managers love seeing data-driven results.

List: What to Include in a Teaching Job Application Letter

• Briefly mention the role you’re applying for.
• State how you found out about the position.
• Highlight your certifications and relevant degrees.
• Mention any specialized training.
• Summarize your teaching approach.
• Explain why this philosophy benefits students.
• Include specific examples of how your teaching has positively impacted students.
• Quantify results where possible (e.g., test scores, engagement rates).
• Reiterate your enthusiasm for the role.
• Invite the hiring committee to contact you for further discussion.

3 Unique Teaching Job Application Letter Templates

Template 1: for a new teacher with limited experience.

Subject: Application for [Position] at [School Name]

Dear [Principal’s Name],

I am writing to apply for the [specific position] at [school name] that was recently posted. Although I am a recent graduate, I have completed extensive training in classroom management, curriculum development, and instructional technology, which I believe make me a strong candidate for this role.

During my student teaching at [Previous School], I had the opportunity to design and implement lesson plans that engaged students across a range of abilities. 

I am passionate about using innovative teaching methods to foster a love of learning in my students. I am confident that my enthusiasm and commitment to student success will be a valuable addition to your teaching team.

I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experiences align with the needs of your school.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Template 2: For an Experienced Teacher Applying to a New School

Subject: Enthusiastic Application for [Position] at [School Name]

With over 10 years of teaching experience, I am excited to apply for the [specific position] at [school name]. My background in [subject] has equipped me with the tools to create dynamic and engaging learning environments that challenge students and foster growth.

At my current school, I lead initiatives that have resulted in a 15% improvement in student test scores over the past two years. I am also a strong advocate for integrating technology into the classroom, and I have worked closely with colleagues to design a digital literacy curriculum that has been praised by parents and administrators alike.

I am excited about the possibility of bringing my passion for education to [school name], and I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the continued success of your students.

Template 3: For a Teacher Seeking a Leadership Role

I am writing to express my interest in the [leadership role] at [school name]. With over 12 years of teaching and leadership experience, I have honed my ability to inspire both students and fellow educators. 

I have served as the head of [specific department] for the last five years, during which time I successfully led a team of teachers to implement new curriculum standards that increased student engagement and academic performance.

I am passionate about fostering a collaborative environment where teachers and students can thrive. I am confident that my leadership skills and vision for student success align with the values of [school name], and I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to your school’s leadership team.

Table: Common Mistakes to Avoid in Teaching Job Application Letters

Closing Thoughts

Writing a compelling teaching job application letter requires a balance of professionalism and personalization. From my experience, the letters that stand out most are the ones that reflect the candidate’s true passion for teaching while clearly demonstrating their qualifications. 

Whether you’re a new teacher or looking to advance your career, these strategies and templates will help you craft a letter that captures attention and lands you that all-important interview.

Teaching Job Application Letter Proofreading Checklist

Proofreading checklist.

Check the boxes for each item you have completed when proofreading your teaching job application letter:

Your Score:

Disclaimer: This proofreading checklist is intended to be used as a guide to improve the quality of your teaching job application letter. It does not guarantee job placement or interview success.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How to write a teaching job application letter that stands out?

Answer: To make your teaching job application letter stand out, I always personalize the letter for the specific school by referencing their mission and aligning my teaching philosophy with their goals. Highlighting measurable achievements from my previous roles and showing enthusiasm for the position has consistently helped me secure interviews.

Q: What should I include in a teaching job application letter?

Answer: From my experience, it’s essential to include your relevant qualifications, certifications, and a concise statement of your teaching philosophy. Additionally, always provide specific examples of how your experience can benefit the school, which helps the hiring committee see your potential as a valuable asset.

Q: How do I address my teaching job application letter?

Answer: I always recommend addressing your teaching job application letter to the principal or the hiring manager by name, if possible. This shows attention to detail and demonstrates that you’ve researched the school, which helps to establish a personal connection right from the start.

Q: How long should a teaching job application letter be?

Answer: In my experience, the ideal teaching job application letter should be one page, around 3-4 paragraphs. Keeping it concise while clearly highlighting your qualifications, teaching philosophy, and enthusiasm for the role ensures the reader stays engaged and gets a strong sense of your suitability.

Q: How to write a teaching job application letter with no experience?

Answer: When I was starting out, I focused on my education, certifications, and any relevant internships or student teaching experiences. Even without formal experience, emphasizing your passion for teaching and explaining how your skills align with the needs of the school can make a big impact.

Q: What should be included in an application letter teaching job?

Answer: From my experience, an application letter for a teaching job should include your qualifications, teaching philosophy, relevant experience, and why you’re passionate about the specific school you’re applying to. It’s important to personalize each letter to the role and showcase your unique contributions to the classroom environment.

Q: How can I make my application letter teaching job stand out?

Answer: I’ve found that the best way to make an application letter for a teaching job stand out is by providing specific examples of your achievements, such as quantifiable improvements in student performance. Additionally, expressing genuine enthusiasm for the school’s mission and aligning your teaching philosophy with their values can leave a strong impression.

Q: Should I include my teaching philosophy in an application letter teaching job?

Answer: Yes, including your teaching philosophy in an application letter for a teaching job is essential, and it’s something I’ve always done in my letters. It shows potential employers that you’ve thought deeply about how you approach teaching and how your methods can benefit their students.

Q: How long should an application letter teaching job be?

Answer: In my experience, an application letter for a teaching job should be concise yet comprehensive—typically one page long. It’s important to clearly state your qualifications and enthusiasm without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary details.

Q: Can I reuse the same application letter teaching job for multiple schools?

Answer: While you can use a similar structure, I’ve always personalized each application letter for every teaching job I applied to, tailoring it to the specific school’s values, programs, and student needs. This extra effort shows the hiring team that you’re genuinely interested in their institution, not just any job.

Q: How do I write an introduction letter for a teaching job?

Answer: When I write an introduction letter for a teaching job, I always start by introducing myself with enthusiasm and mentioning the position I’m applying for. I highlight my teaching experience and share a brief overview of my teaching philosophy to catch the principal’s attention right away.

Q: What should be included in an introduction letter for a teaching job?

Answer: In my experience, an introduction letter for a teaching job should include a clear introduction, your qualifications, your teaching philosophy, and any relevant experience or achievements. I also make sure to tailor the letter to the specific school to demonstrate my genuine interest.

Q: How long should an introduction letter for a teaching job be?

Answer: I always aim to keep my introduction letter for a teaching job between one to one-and-a-half pages. This length allows me to cover my relevant qualifications and teaching philosophy without overwhelming the reader with too much information.

Q: Can I send the same introduction letter for a teaching job to multiple schools?

Answer: From my experience, it’s not effective to send the same introduction letter for a teaching job to multiple schools. I always customize each letter to reflect the specific values and needs of the school I’m applying to, which makes a much stronger impression.

Q: How do I express my passion in an introduction letter for a teaching job?

Answer: When I express my passion in an introduction letter for a teaching job, I focus on why I love teaching and how it impacts my students. Sharing a personal story about a classroom success or how I foster student growth helps me connect with the hiring team on a deeper level.

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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

USE THIS TEMPLATE

Microsoft Word

Google Docs

Block Format

Copy this text for your Teacher cover letter!

123 Pretend Lane Belleville, MI 48111 (123) 456-7890

January 12, 2023

Shaunna Li Belleville High School Principal 501 West Columbia Avenue Belleville, MI 48111

Dear Ms. Li: Belleville High School’s call for teachers who can relate to the pain points of students is why I am motivated to establish a welcoming classroom, foster healthy relationships with students, and lead by example in the geometry teacher position. While a 2014 study cites that only 16 percent of students graduate with proficiency in math, my unique methodology has seen 34 percent of my students master proficiency, and of that number, 17 percent have pursued STEM careers.

My methodology revolves around one central point—showing students why they should care about math. My personal love for math grew out of the recognition that math could be used to solve real-world problems; it is the same for students today. Once they recognize that math is foundational to many fields, including trades, finance, engineering, and so many others, students get excited with the possibilities of the doors math can open for them.

Math can be tedious and frustrating, and the subject does not register easily for many students; this is why you may see me collaborating with the chemistry teacher to lead our classes through a NASA-inspired rocket project or partnering with shop classes to witness students enjoying the reward of their hard work and creations. It is often that students do not actually realize they have relied on math until we debrief in class.

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.

Thank you for your consideration,

Marcus DeWitt

Enclosures: Resume Application Transcripts

Level up your cover letter game

Relax! We’ll do the heavy lifting to write your cover letter in seconds.

Elementary Teacher Cover Letter Example

Copy this text for your Elementary Teacher cover letter!

123 Pretend Lane Newark, NJ 07103 (123) 456-7890

Bryson Thatcher KIPP Rise Academy Principal 21 Ashland Street Newark, NJ 07103

• Dear Mr. Thatcher:

Responding to KIPP’s core belief that knowledge is power, I am inspired to join the ranks of creative and out-of-the-box thinkers as your next fifth-grade teacher at Rise Academy. I welcome the opportunity to team-teach with another innovative instructor and learning specialists as I value the high-level learning that results when multiple ideas connect and unite for a common cause.

I have served as the reading department head for the past six years, which has equipped me to coach as well as learn from my fellow teachers. The success we have celebrated as a result of our combined efforts—students reading an average of 26 books per year, raising their reading level by a grade or more, etc. —will only soar with the ability to share a classroom with passionate educators.

Additionally, if you look at my track record, you will find me wherever students are. From volunteering to sponsor grade-level field trips and activities to working beside parents for fundraisers, student advocacy is a responsibility I take seriously. Shaping tomorrow’s leaders is only possible when students and families believe that teachers are on their side; together, we are unified and strong.

With over 50 percent of your student population entering Rise below grade level, I am impressed by the academy’s ability to transform young minds so profoundly that by the time they reach high school, they perform just as well as peers statewide. I am sincerely excited about the potential to be part of this transformation process, and I welcome the opportunity to discuss my experience and qualifications with you further. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to our next conversation.

Best regards,

Clayton Reid

Enclosures: Resume Application

Art Teacher Cover Letter Example

Copy this text for your Art Teacher cover letter!

123 Fictional Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85001 (123) 456-7890

November 20, 2023

Ava Davis Scottsdale Unified School District 123 Fictional Lane Phoenix, AZ 85001

Dear Ms. Davis:

I’m inspired by Scottsdale Unified School District’s steadfast commitment to fostering creativity and providing a diverse artistic education for students. Witnessing young minds grasp artistic skills and express their vibrant personalities through art is what truly drives me. Today, I can’t wait to bring my passion, creativity, and teaching prowess to your district as an art teacher.

Over the last four years, I’ve taught drawing and sketching at Phoenix Center for the Arts to students aged 6 to 18. My guidance led to a 32% increase in program enrollment, inviting a whole new lot of budding artists. Using tools like Procreate, SketchBook, and various drawing media, I helped students build diverse skill sets and boost their artistic confidence.

Before that, I worked as a printmaker at Creative Printing & Packaging. I mastered printmaking, applying it to custom designs for clients and increasing the center’s clientele by 17% through workshops and events. My expertise grew in multiple printing techniques, such as etching, relief, and screen printing, where I took on expansive projects in lithography and silkscreen art.

My artistic journey kicked off as a mural painter, where I poured my heart into designing and painting commissioned murals across Phoenix. This wasn’t just about livening up buildings; it involved closely collaborating with local businesses and communities to create public art that resonated with Phoenix’s cultural spirit. These mural projects transformed mundane, overlooked spaces into vibrant, inspiring landmarks, leading to an average increase in foot traffic by 12%.

My diverse artistic talents, complemented by my dedication to fostering creativity, align perfectly with Scottsdale Unified School District’s vision for art education. I’m eager to discuss how my expertise can help inspire your students to discover and express their artistic abilities.

Kaito Yamamoto

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

Copy this text for your Special Education Teacher cover letter!

123 Fictional Avenue Houston, TX 77001 (123) 456-7890

Olivia Jones The Monarch School and Institute 123 Fictional Lane Houston, TX 77001

Dear Ms. Jones:

Being part of a special education classroom and seeing the profound, positive changes in the students sparked my passion for special education. Like the energetic pace of a volleyball match and the infectious spirit of the athletes, I’ve wanted to be part of this transformative journey, and I’ve successfully done so during the past five years. Today, I’m eager to bring my zeal, skills, and experiences to The Monarch School and Institute as a special education teacher.

In my latest senior role as a behavior analyst at Cypresswood Therapy & Counseling in Houston, TX, I used applied behavior analysis to design plans for 34 clients who exhibited challenging behaviors. The strategies, tailored for each client, alleviated problem behaviors and increased skill acquisition by an average of 38%. Here, data collection and analysis were crucial in assessing progress and adjusting interventions.

Previously, as a special education teacher at Crossroads School, I was responsible for leading 19 students, focussing on conducting functional behavior assessments. We devised customized interventions that fostered a significant reduction in disruptive classroom behaviors. During this time, I utilized resources such as Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and progress monitoring tools like DreamClass to gather data and track student progression.

I began my journey in special education as a teaching assistant at Westchester Academy for International Studies. As part of a team, we improved students’ academic performance by 16% within a year. This experience gave me valuable insights into designing a curriculum accommodating diverse needs, reinforcing my passion for this field.

I strongly believe my theoretical knowledge and hands-on experiences, combined with my dedication to inclusive education, position me uniquely for an engaging role at The Monarch School and Institute. I’m eager to discuss how my expertise can contribute to the growth and progress of the students at your esteemed institution.

• 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

Copy this text for your AP English Teacher cover letter!

123 Pretend Lane Denton, TX 75065 (123) 456-7890

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

Dear Ms. Marque:

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.

Through frequent collaboration with the English department, mentoring and assessing honors students in the National Honor’s Society, honors-level courses, and other honors associations, I have developed strategic methodologies that both determine a student’s ability and willingness to tackle the demanding coursework. While AP standards are rigorous, 92 percent of students who have taken my class have passed the AP English Language and Composition Exam.

Furthermore, I am inspired by Ryan High School’s mission to build lifelong learners who will contribute to society by seeking answers and sharing those answers with the next generation. As a lover of literature, this is why I choose to teach uncomfortable texts, such as Elie Wiesel’s Night, Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, and Carl Sandburg’s poem “Grass.” By building relationships with my students, I successfully facilitate meaningful and real-world connections with them through American and world literature. What students discover in my classroom will impact them for the rest of their lives.

Ultimately, education is much more to me than just teaching the objectives. I believe in cultivating relationships and working with excellence in every area; based on my conversations with the English department head, Ryan High School is just as passionate about education. I look forward to discussing how my skills and qualifications can better serve Ryan High’s honors and AP students. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Stacie Solis

Enclosures: Resume Application 2 letters of recommendation

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 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:

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.

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. 

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  AI 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.

• A+ Resumes for Teachers
• Resume Samples
• Prices & Services
• Email: Candace Alstad-Davies
• Toll Free: 1-877-738-8052
• Local/Int’l: 780-513-0010

• Resume / Curriculum Vitae Help
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• Job Interview Questions & Answers
• Job Interview Preparation
• Social Networking & Job Search
• Education Job Search Tips
• Philosophy of Education Statement Help
• Career Changes to/from Education
• Career Development / Educational Skills
• International / Overseas Teaching
• ESL English as a Second Language
• Classroom Management Strategies
• Personal Development
• Higher Education Career Tips
• School Principal / Administrators Job Search Help

Teaching Job Application Letter Writing Tips With Examples

Have you ever been told you don’t need an application letter for a teaching job? Based on my conversations with many academic hiring authorities, you NEED one.

One of the most essential parts of the academic job search process is your teaching job application letter. Even a cover letter for a new teacher with no experience is critical. Grab a coffee, relax, and review these application letter writing tips to give you ideas to create your own.

Why would you risk not sending an application letter?

It is usually the first thing a school administrator or district superintendent looks at when hiring a new teacher applicant. An application letter, or a teacher cover letter, is how you introduce yourself as a teacher candidate. A one-page letter allows you to convey your passion, relevant expertise, credentials, and skills. Make sure you are not guilty of writing a long-winded cover letter .

Please don’t make it too short; you must communicate your value. It’s a balancing act!

How you write your application letter for a teaching job will determine if you will convince the reader to move on to your academic teaching resume and be offered a job interview. You must develop a hard-hitting, attention-grabbing application or cover letter with relevant keywords, teaching accomplishments, and action words that prove your worth as a teacher candidate.

Formatting a teacher application letter properly can be difficult if you are unfamiliar with technology and using word processing programs. It is best to match the resume formatting used to create your resume to keep your presentation consistent.

Writing an Application Letter Takes Time – Don’t Rush

First paragraph of your academic application letter.

The first paragraph of your application letter for a teaching position should address the position of interest and the fact that you are submitting your resume for consideration. A hiring school administrator may be looking to fill several positions; therefore, it is necessary to let the reader know right away which position is interesting. Other topics to incorporate into the opening portion of your cover letter include:

• Educational credentials, i.e., Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree • Teaching certifications and licenses • Years of classroom experience or related expertise

If you are a student teacher or a new classroom teacher, you do not need to include your years of experience. Instead, it would be best to focus on the credentials, skills, commitment, and enthusiasm you bring to the classroom.

Including more in-depth, relevant details when writing your student teacher resume will provide the reader with additional qualifications and evidence of accomplishments. Don’t go overboard with including too many specific details when writing the cover letter .

Middle Paragraph of a Teacher’s Application Letter

Certain things within your application letter for a teaching position should be included to ensure you stand out from your competition. One of the best ways to skyrocket your resume straight to the top of the “to read” pile is by uncovering and including your teaching accomplishments .

These should be unique, quantifiable, and exceptional achievements that impress the reader. For instance, you may have differentiated instruction in your classroom, which is now expected of all educators. Therefore, you need to say how you could differentiate instruction and what it accomplished for your students.

Teaching Application Letter Example Sentence s

“Surveying students to understand their diverse interests, and by incorporating technology and literature geared toward these, I was able to effectively facilitate all types and levels of learners, and leave students eager to learn more.”

“Integrating popular literature, innovative technology, and multidisciplinary units allows me to pique student interest, demonstrate real-world connections, and accommodate multiple intelligences.”

As mentioned before, quantifiable accomplishments are preferential to use in your educator cover letter, as they are a way of proving you are a successful teacher. Using facts and numbers is an excellent method for capturing your skills and talents in the classroom.

Examples of academic resume accomplishments:

• Incorporating a literature circle, literature-based units, and exciting group projects raised student reading levels by at least one level by the end of the school year.”
• A struggling and discontent student started the school year with a minimum passing grade of 55%. I provided after-school tutoring and individualized instruction during class time and worked with his parents to ensure further education in the home. By the end of the school year, the same student had developed a new appreciation for the school and passed with a grade of 81%.”

However, there may be other teaching accomplishments that haven’t even come to mind yet. Once again, you don’t want to include too much. Another place to communicate your authenticity is by writing a teaching philosophy statement . We call this an added job search marketing document. It gets results!

Uncover Relevant Teaching Accomplishments by  Answering These Questions

Have you pioneered any teaching techniques or educational programs that have proven successful in your school?

Were you asked to fill in for the assistant principal due to your leadership skills?

Did you receive an award from the school or district commending you on your instructional abilities?

These are all worth mentioning in your teacher application letter and resume.

Final Paragraph Writing Ideas

Make sure you thank the reader for their time and that you are looking forward to hearing from them soon. Address any points you feel do not fall into the standard categories (experience, credentials, achievements, strengths). Mention you are willing to participate in extra-curricular activities and lead school sports or clubs. If, of course, this is true!

Additional Application Letter Writing Tips for Educators

As mentioned earlier, your teaching job application letter should follow the same format as your teacher’s resume. Maintaining consistency between your documents ensures the hiring administrator can match them quickly.

For example, if you use a border in your application letter, use the same border in your resume. All fonts and sizes should match. Academic credentials should be similar (i.e., Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education). Maintaining consistency will demonstrate attention to detail and organization.

The site has tons of resume and cover letter samples for your review.

Contact me , Candace, if you need help writing your education application letter or any other job search document.

Review our academic resume and application letter packages and services .

Next post: 6 Educational Leadership Resume Writing Tips [Sample Accomplishments]

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How to Write a Teacher Cover Letter [with Template]

5 Resume Cover Letters for Teachers 

Start with structure: how to format your teacher cover letter, what else to include in your teacher cover letter, teacher cover letter faqs.

If you’re researching teacher cover letter tips and best practices, chances are you are either in the market for a new job or at least beginning to think ahead to your next opportunity.

As you’re well aware, your cover letter is a vitally important messaging document that must be thoughtfully crafted to A) catch the eye of potential employers/recruiters and B) entice them to learn more about you by reviewing your resume.

Well, you’ve come to the right place because — when it comes to teacher resume and cover letter advice — we’ve got you covered.

Designed to apply to both new and seasoned educators alike, this post serves as a guide to writing an effective teacher cover letter that will help you land your next job.

We’ll share key tips and best practices, along with several teacher cover letter examples that you can use for inspiration — plus, a downloadable template you can use to write an A+ cover letter!

Put Your Best Foot Forward

Download our template to start writing your best cover letter yet. 

LOOKING FOR TEACHING JOBS?

Before we get into any how-tos, it helps to know what the end result should look like. Below are five examples of winning teacher cover letters. 

1. This example offers guidance for the first-time teacher, since it can be difficult to write a cover letter without much experience to describe! This letter emphasizes volunteer work, student teaching and college experience. 

2. Here, the applicant listed out some of her experiences into bullet points. This is a wise formatting trick, since it’s likely the hiring manager looks at multiple cover letters a day, so the bulleted list makes it easier — and faster — to read.

3. Though it may not apply to every teaching position, some hiring managers like to see applicants back up their claims with hard data. This history teacher offers quantifiable proof of her abilities in her previous position.

4. What it lacks in volume it makes up for in succinct, to-the-point text. This cover letter says just enough while leaving the reader wanting to know more. Be careful with creating generic cover letter “templates” for yourself though — the content of this letter could apply to a wide range of roles and schools, so you’ll want to customize the details to each new position.

5. For a clearer breakdown of the essential parts of a cover letter, this example from Liveabout.com highlights where the applicant mentions her skill set, her unique value proposition and her desire for the position.

A teacher cover letter is much the same as a cover letter for any other position — the structure is fairly standard, with the content customized to the role and your experience. A cover letter should be one page, no more than four paragraphs, easily scannable and include the best way to reach you. The reader should not have to look very hard to find everything they need to know about you. 

The best teacher cover letters have the following components: 

• Your contact information: Provide your name, email address, phone number and where you live (just city and state is fine).
• The school’s contact information: Though you may not be sending your cover letter and resume by mail, this confirms your intention to apply to a specific school. 
• Date: The date you’re submitting your application materials.
• Salutation: A professional greeting that addresses the hiring manager by name. It’s customary to preface their name with “Dear.”
• Introduction: This is a one-or two-sentence statement that introduces you and expresses your intention to apply for the open position.
• Body paragraph 1: A brief paragraph describing your relevant professional experience, achievements, skills and education. 
• Body paragraph 2: A brief paragraph explaining your interest in and fitness for the role for which you’re applying.
• Closing paragraph: Once more, a brief closing statement that expresses your desire for further conversation and invites the hiring manager to contact you with any questions.
• Your signature: You may simply write your name or, for a more personal touch, you can add a real signature — hand-written or digitally placed. 

Why all the brevity? Hiring managers likely sift through dozens of applications a day, especially at competitive schools. You want your materials to stand out for their scannability, so that the reader can see whether you would be the right fit within just a few seconds. 

If you include all of the components above, you will have an excellent chance of capturing any hiring manager’s attention and (hopefully) starting a conversation with them. 

While most cover letters follow a similar format, with the introduction, body content and conclusion all containing relatively the same kind of information, the body paragraphs are where you can really highlight your uniqueness. The portion of your cover letter where you describe your skills and experience is your oyster — without repeating what’s on your resume, consider including any of the following elements:  

• Include teaching specialties such as subject expertise , special education curriculum design and even extracurricular responsibilities. 
• When it comes to your education, you’ll want to note whether you have your master’s degree in education . Having an MEd does not necessarily equate to teaching experience, but many schools will prioritize candidates with graduate degrees over those with only bachelor’s degrees . 
• Mention soft skills as well as hard teaching skills, such as organization, patience, adaptability, etc.
• Mention any relevant training or certifications. If you can point to a certificate in a specific teaching method or school leadership training , you may be considered for other open positions.
• Educational equity and inclusion is critical to school and student success. Even if you don’t have experience teaching units on disability activism or racial justice , expressing a commitment to learning about and teaching students of different backgrounds is a highly valued quality.
• Include related work you’ve done outside the classroom , such as tutoring, non-teaching work or volunteer experience that involves working with children.
• However, please note that teachers cannot freely share specific class or student data. It is your responsibility to adhere to school, state and federal restrictions concerning student privacy .
• Teachers are never done learning. Expressing a commitment to ongoing education and professional development in your cover letter will communicate that you are passionate about developing your craft. 

Each item should only take one to two sentences to explain. For scannability, you may want to format your skills and experience into bullet points.

Some teaching applicants include a postscript in their cover letters following their signature. While this is not necessary, it is a fine place to put something that doesn’t fit naturally into the body of your cover letter. However, only include a postscript if absolutely necessary ( “By the way, I remember competing against Sacred Heart’s epic debate club back in 1998 — if I couldn’t beat them then, joining them now would be the next best thing!” ). 

Your postscript should add value or personality, or be something the hiring manager absolutely needs to know, otherwise it can look extraneous and unprofessional. 

Tips to Make Your Cover Letter Stand Out

Think of your teaching cover letter like an elevator pitch. Pretend you have 30 seconds to “sell” your skills and enthusiasm for the role — how do you “hook” the reader? 

Before you set pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, be sure to research the school you’re applying to. It’s generally good practice to customize your cover letter for every job application, and that means knowing something about the school, department or role you’d be filling. It’s quite easy to tell if an applicant is just copy-and-pasting the same cover letter for multiple job applications. 

For example, is the school known for its competitive mathematics team? Does it have an award-winning drama department? Are its standardized test scores consistently in your state’s 90th percentile? If the role you’re applying for relates in any way to the school’s differentiating factor, be sure to acknowledge it in your introduction. 

Here are some other ways to bump your application to the top of the pile. 

• Keep it brief: No one wants to read your master’s thesis in a cover letter. Leave the longer explanations of your experience and teaching philosophy for your interview. 
• Accentuate the positive: Your application materials should not only convey why you want the position, but how your unique abilities and assets could benefit the school and its students. Emphasize why you’d be a great match with specific reasons — but don’t brag.
• Keep it personal: There are plenty of great cover letter templates and examples out there, but they should only serve as suggestions for what yours will be. This is your story to tell, not anyone else’s. Expressing your passion for teaching will position you as a dedicated, valuable asset to any school.
• Proofread: As a teacher, this should be a no-brainer — but don’t be the one teacher who forgets to proofread! Take your time, re-read and ask a colleague to give your cover letter a once-over before submitting your application. Many people treat their cover letter as an afterthought, but remember that it’s the cover to the rest of your application. 

To use another teaching comparison, remember that your cover letter counts for a significant portion of your “grade.” As Christian Eilers writes for Zety , “That means treating it like a crucial final exam instead of an inconsequential pop quiz.”

How long should my teacher cover letter be?

As a general rule, keep your cover letter brief — no one wants to read your master’s thesis as part of your application. Your cover letter should have a short intro, an explanation of your experience and skills, any significant accomplishments, awards or certificates, and a short conclusion summarizing your interest in the position. Always end with an invitation for the hiring manager to contact you, and sign your name (a signed letter is always a nice touch, even if it’s a digital signature). Leave the longer explanations of your experience and teaching philosophy for your interview.

How can I add data to my cover letter?

If you’re making any claims about your effectiveness in the classroom, try back them up with numbers. For example, you may want to say that you were responsible for increasing biology testing scores by 30%, or that attendance improved by 65% while you were a teacher. If you’re currently a teacher considering other schools, be sure to keep track of your own class’s performance so you can cite these metrics in future cover letters. Please note, however, that it is your responsibility to adhere to school, state and federal restrictions concerning specific student data and student privacy .

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A GUIDE FOR WRITING YOUR NEXT TEACHING COVER LETTER

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Teacher cover letter example

As a teacher, you spend countless hours preparing your students to succeed in school and the world beyond. Your passion for education means you’re invested in your classroom and the quality of the lesson plans you create. 

The pandemic has created an even bigger teacher shortage that has not abated, the Washington Post reported. If you’ve held off returning to the classroom but are now ready, you may find you have a choice about where and what you teach. Across the country and around the world, principals are looking for candidates with the teaching experience to motivate students and manage rowdy classrooms. So how do you connect with them? During the hiring process, your resume can only explain so much. That’s why a well-crafted, attention-grabbing cover letter is an essential tool for landing you your next teaching position. 

A cover letter that demonstrates the right qualities will have a principal singing your praises. Bonus tip: patience, enthusiasm, flexibility and the ability to take feedback are some of the most sought-after traits for new teachers. Imagine you have a job interview for a position at a new school. You have a great resume, but you show up 15 minutes late, don’t make eye contact and forget to ask the principal any questions. Are you still going to get the job? Maybe, but it seems less certain, doesn’t it? That’s because you dashed your chances by ignoring the proper conventions of the hiring process. 

You can do the same with your initial application by failing to submit a cover letter or creating one that is not professional and doesn’t follow standard formatting rules. That’s why putting care and attention into creating a great cover letter is a smart idea – it directly increases your odds of landing the job.

This guide, along with our professional teacher cover letter sample, will:

• Outline, in detail, the essential elements of a good cover letter  (header, greeting, intro, body and conclusion)
• Equip you with proven psychological tips and tricks to use in your own letter
• Alert you to what mistakes to avoid when writing your teacher cover letter
• Demonstrate the purpose of a strong cover letter format.

Psst, here’s some extra credit: If you haven’t finished creating an A+ resume, we’ve got plenty of resources for that. Start with our teacher resume samples, resume templates and general resume writing guide.

Best format for a teacher cover letter example

It often helps to present your arguments and tell your story when there is a logical cover letter format. A hiring manager or principal will be expecting these elements:

• The cover letter header
• The greeting / salutation
• The cover letter intro
• The middle paragraphs (body of the letter)
• The ending paragraph of your cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)

Dear Principal Wilson,

Newton’s first law of motion states that an object will stay at rest until a force acts upon it.

Two decades of seeing 500+ science students graduate from Ivy League universities tells me that my “force” is indeed helping to develop the scientific minds of tomorrow. I hope to bring this experience to the advertised science position at Jefferson High School.

As the subject lead for a district of 18 schools, I facilitated the creation of learning materials and oversaw an improvement of graduation rates by 10% across the district over a four-year period. In my school, the graduation rate averaged 99%. I believe in the power of learning through experiment rather than theory – showing beats telling every time. Innovative approaches often bring new discoveries.

I have been active in creating online lessons for my students and believe that blended learning is the future of education. We might not be with our students as they are doing their homework, but we can send them a recorded online video to explain things. Being able to rewind a video is an amazing way to check understanding.

Jefferson HS values are close to my heart, and it was actually one of your current faculty who suggested that I apply for the role. I look forward to the opportunity of learning more about your staff and students and hope that I might be able to contribute to their success. In the school experiment, every curious young mind matters.

Yours sincerely,

Grace McKenna

Within that format, a teacher cover letter should give an overview of your teaching pedagogy, experience, and philosophy. It’s the unit plan for your career, just as your teacher resume functions more as a lesson plan.

The comprehensive cover letter guide offers more general advice about how to go about compiling cover letters, but below you will find specific advice on how to maximize the effectiveness of each specific letter paragraph and section. Our cover letter samples give you a great idea of how all these pieces fit together.

Similar cover letter examples from the same field:

• Scholarship
• Library Assistant 
• Elementary teacher
• Substitute Teacher 
• Teaching Assistant 
• Apprenticeship

Cover letter header

A teacher cover letter header might seem like a formality you can do without, but in reality the header serves a big purpose, both in function and aesthetics. Quite simply, the header introduces the applicant’s name and contact information in a bold way.

The header also allows the hiring manager to refer to that information at any point. The letter may also circulate within the HR department, so it’s important that everyone who comes across it knows who it belongs to and how they can get in touch. 

In the past, the physical mailing address of the applicant was commonplace on a cover letter. Nowadays, you can include your name, phone number and email address, along with a date and the hiring manager’s name (if known), as well as the company name and address. If you really want to strip back the header, you may opt to include just your name and contact info. 

The goal of this section: Identify the document, keep your name and contact info at the hiring manager’s fingertips, create visually appealing formatting.

Take a look at our cover letter examples to find the perfect header for your purposes.

Cover letter greeting / salutation

Your greeting will likely contain less than five words, but they’ve got to be the right ones. A teacher cover letter greeting that is too formal or too casual will leave a hiring manager or principal shaking their head as they start to read your letter. 

The first thing to consider when choosing a greeting is your profession. School systems are fairly formal institutions when compared to, let’s say, a startup tech company or a local coffee shop. In this case, “Dear” followed by a name and a comma is the safest option and likely your best bet. It’s important to use Mr., Mrs. or Ms. followed by a last name. In the education field, watch out for a principal who might be Dr. – the school’s website or LinkedIn may help answer that question. 

The goal of this section: Use the professionally appropriate greeting to set the right tone. Develop rapport with the principal by using his or her name, if you have it.

People love hearing their own name. It’s true of any relationship, personal or business. That’s why conventional cover letter wisdom says to find the name of the hiring manager and address your letter directly to them. It’s solid advice and shows that you care enough to do your homework about the company. But what does that look like for teaching positions? In some states and counties, hiring is done by a team of HR professionals who then forward the best resumes to principals for review. In smaller districts, the principals themselves may evaluate candidates directly. A polite phone call may help to answer this question. 

If it becomes clear your letter will be read by a team of hiring managers, you might opt for a more general greeting, along the lines of “Dear Calvert County Public Schools Hiring Team,” or shorter – “Dear CCPS Hiring Team,”. If you know your letter will land on the principal’s desk eventually, you can include his or her name, too: “Dear Dr. Wilkens and CCPS Hiring Team." In general, it's best to avoid the cold and impersonal sounding "To Whom It May Concern." A collective noun usually works much better in these situations.

Cover letter introduction

Your teacher cover letter introduction is the hook and the best place to lure a principal into reading on. Sentences like “I am writing to express interest in your vacancy for a physics teaching position at Centennial High School” can come across as rigid and outdated. 

Adding some excitement through a personal anecdote about a teaching success can inject some personality and highlight your skillset right from the top. Just make sure to keep the story time short to hold the reader’s attention into the body. 

The goal of this cover letter sample section: create a snappy and grabbing introduction to your personality and experience in a sentence or two.

Cover letter middle paragraphs

If you’ve got the introduction of your teacher cover letter just the way you like it, the body should flow from there. The anecdotal opening sets you up for a slam dunk by allowing you to expand on your skills and achievements in a natural way. 

Before too long, you should mention the role you’re applying to and why you’re the perfect match, including previous achievements that give clear evidence of your skills. The STAR/CAR method (Situation, Task, Action, positive Result) can help you organize your writing to capture the impact you had on student performance. Your soft skills, passion and personality can continue to shine in this section and you may choose to demonstrate hard skills that set you above your peers by explaining innovative classroom approaches you’ve taken. 

The goal of this cover letter example section: Explain why you’re the right candidate for the position through past challenges, achievements and personal strategies.

How to finish a teacher cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)

Figuring out how to end your teacher cover letter can be one of the most frustrating parts of the writing experience. You’ve hit the point home in every way you know how to and now you just want to yell “So call me!”  

Luckily, there’s actually a professional way to do this. The call to action is an invitation for the hiring manager to get in touch. You can strike the balance between friendly and firm with a cover letter example sentence like “I look forward to hearing more about Centennial’s staff and students. You can reach me at (your email) or (your phone) with any questions.” A sign off like Sincerely, Best, or Best Regards are the most professionally appropriate for closing your letter. 

The goal of this cover letter sample section: Invite the employer to contact you in a friendly and non-demanding way, sign off politely and leave the reader on a positive, professional note.

Writing psychology: cover letter sample tools and strategies

So far, we’ve talked a lot about using personal anecdotes and examples of problems you’ve handled effectively. Instead of telling a principal that you’re innovative and organized, these stories allow you to show the true impact of your years of experience. But as a teacher, each day is a little different from the previous one. In a single year of teaching, you can easily rack up dozens of moments where you handled challenging situations. So which ones do you pick for your cover letter? One way to approach this question is by taking a look at the behavioral psychology principle of belief matching: People are more likely to respond positively to your message if they first believe you understand their problem.

How to incorporate the empathetic approach

The belief matching technique is most effective when used towards the top of your writing, according to professional marketing expert Joanna Wiebe. Wiebe often uses this technique to drive online sales, but in this case, you are the product. It’s a good idea to start with your strongest anecdote or example from your work experience – the one that you think your prospective principal is mostly likely to relate to. Again, it’s important to keep the story short, straightforward and relevant to ensure success.

Every school is a unique learning environment. If your cover letter can target even just one or two of the primary needs your potential principal faces, you can more effectively help them see the solution – YOU, and your impressive track record of teaching success. You should tailor your letter to the needs of each school using the job description as your starting point. These anecdotes are not just about the past. You should aim to write them in a way that allows a principal to imagine the future – their future, and one where their job is easier because of your contributions to the school.

Teacher cover letter example with no experience

You will not be starting your teaching career without any experience. You have already completed student teaching, so you have managed a classroom before. No, it’s not the same, but it does give you a basis for writing a cover letter.

Use the same format as any teacher cover letter and examine our cover letter sample carefully to give you ideas. Then, focus on your specialty, what you learned during your observations and student-teaching experience and follow our guidelines above.

You may not land in your target district in your first position, but given the teacher shortage, you will be in demand.

Teacher cover letter format and common mistakes

Here are some cover letter tips on how to avoid common writing mistakes:

• A boring letter. As a school teacher, your job is to inject energy and life into a classroom. A bland, generic letter sends a principal the exact opposite message. An application letter that’s full of movement and enthusiasm will give you a much better chance of landing the job.
• Confidential information. It’s essential that you leave out private information about your students or families. Even if the hiring manager doesn’t know of the situation, they’ll likely wonder if you can be trusted with the personal data of your new students.
• Too much personal information. During the job search, your personality counts, however, you want to make sure that you don’t venture off into the domain of Too Much Information. Family life, hobbies and weekend activities are usually best left off a cover letter unless you can directly relate them to teaching or the position.
• Issues with tone, spelling or grammar. Straightforward, punchy sentences will go further than pedagogic jargon. Likewise, spelling and grammar errors leave the hiring manager with a bad taste, especially when hiring a teacher.

How to format to impress

Your formatting is arguably just as important as the content of your application letter. Anyone who reads your letter will first take in the look and feel, font and color scheme before proceeding to the written information. That’s why it’s important to stick with trusted resume standards – san serif font styles like Helvetica or Georgia and a size between 10 and 12 points. You may also consider matching your header formatting to your resume. This is a great way to present a consistent, professional image across all your application materials. It can be a bit tricky to pull off without a graphic design degree, but luckily our collection of templates makes it easy to download a stylish document in a few clicks. 

For more formatting tips, check out this handy guide.

For more formatting tips, check out this handy guide and cover letter examples.

Key takeaways

• Your resume is stronger when paired with a cover letter. The two documents work together to provide an employer with a well-rounded picture of you as a candidate.
• A hiring manager expects to see certain elements on your cover letter. Knowing and following these rules will keep the employer interested and impressed.
• Explaining situations you’ve faced and handled is a great way to prove your skills, especially in an ever-changing profession like teaching.
• Using anecdotes and situations that are familiar to your potential new principal is one way to convince him or her that you’re a great fit for the school.
• Formatting is a key element of a strong cover letter. A template can save you time and allow you to easily match the formatting of your application letter and resume.

Save time and effort by creating the perfect cover letter with resume.io. No guesswork, just get out there and start teaching!

Free professionally designed templates

Teaching job application letter examples (+ PDF and MS Word samples)

This article will show how to write write teacher jobs application letter so you increase your chances of landing the job. We'll provide samples of teacher job application letter here and also in PDF and MS Word that you can use as a template.

• Tips for writing teacher job application letter

Sample application letter for teacher

• Download sample application letters for the post of teacher

Before getting start writing the application letter for teaching job, here are some tips that will help you do it best:

Tips for writing teacher job application cover letter

• Know about the school you're applying for and the specific requirements for the job position
• Emphasise on your academic and extracurricular experience, especially as it applies to the job you're applying for
• Highlight your experiences and accomplishments but as much as possible keep those relevant to the job you're applying for
• As much as possible, know the name of the person you should address the letter to. It is better to use a name in the recipient's address than to use some generic "Dear Sir/Madam"
• Proofread and do proper spelling checks before submitting the letter
• Use a suitable font such as Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri

Jumoke Lawson 123 Yaba Ugo Street Yaba Lagos [email protected]

September 24, 2021

Mr. Umar Kabiru Green Peak School 123 Main Street Victoria Island Lagos

Dear Mr. Umar,

I am interested in applying for a secondary teaching position in your school. As a graduate of Yaba College of Education, I have required teaching experience on the JSS 1, 2 and 3 level, in both Physics and Mathematics. I believe my years of teaching experience, coupled with my passion for community engagement make me an ideal candidate for this teaching position.

I am currently teaching JSS 2 students at Bright Stars Secondary School and I have experience teaching secondary school students in a variety of settings. Having held the position of education coordinator at my previous roles, I also have experience in management in the school system. Based on my understanding that this position requires a teacher with varied experiences in the school system, I think my varied experiences would make me a valuable asset for your school.

Part of your school's mission is to engage students from diverse cultures. I have extensive experience incorporating teaching styles that promote cultural diversity and inclusion into my classrooms. For example, as a teacher at Bright Stars Secondary School, I helped the management incorporate Culture Times in the extracurricular activities for the students, which helps students learn about the different cultures of fellow students in a fun way.

My goal is to combine my wide experience and quality of being a compassionate and intelligent teacher to make positive contributions that will benefit your students, school district and community at large.

I hope to hear from you at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely, [signature hard copy letter] Jumoke Lawson

Don't forget to download Teachers Registration Council Of Nigeria (TRCN) Past Questions and Answers .

Download application letters for the post of teacher in PDF and MS Word

Grab a free sample of Teacher Job Application Letter (MS Word) OR Teacher Job Application Letter (PDF) .

Wishing you all the best in your interview and that you ultimately land the job!

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Nice letter

It is quite interesting

Doctor is more important than a teacher

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A New Teacher’s Guide To Writing A Winning Cover

Home » Cover Letters » A New Teacher’s Guide To Writing A Winning Cover

Updated on 5/29/2024

Applying for a teaching position with limited experience may seem difficult, especially when it comes down to what to include in your resume and cover letter. But keep in mind that every relevant experience you detail in your letter doesn’t have to have a direct connection to teaching. 

Have you volunteered as a tutor? Have you worked as a camp counselor? You likely have much more to offer as a new instructor than you’re giving yourself credit for!

What to Include in Your Cover Letter Outline

Your cover letter for a teaching position should showcase your passion and personality and reflect your enthusiasm through the language that you use. It should include what your goals are and why you decided to become a teacher.

Research the school’s current needs then explain what you can bring to the table to help address them. Similarly, examine the job posting and highlight the various skills and experiences that make you the perfect candidate that it’s describing. Lastly, talk about what makes you unique and sets you apart from others. What will you bring to the job that the hiring manager hasn’t heard a hundred times before?

Cover Letter Checklist

• Contact information – address, phone number, email address, etc.
• A proper salutation 
• Your education and other qualifications
• Your relevant training experience
• Your skills, strengths, etc.
• Why you’re interested in the position
• Why you will be an asset to the school district
• Your goals for your prospective students

Writing a winning cover letter for a new teacher seems daunting, but in reality it’s as easy as showing the hiring committee your enthusiasm for the school and the students, and running down this list!

Click here to view a sample of a new teacher cover letter that you can use as a guide. To find more teacher jobs with K-12 schools, register with OLAS .

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2 Teacher Cover Letter Examples

Teachers are skilled at creating engaging lessons that inspire and educate, turning complex concepts into understandable knowledge. Similarly, your cover letter is your chance to transform your professional journey into an engaging narrative that enlightens recruiters about your skills and dedication. In this guide, we'll delve into the best cover letter examples for Teachers, helping you to craft a compelling story that resonates with your next employer.

Cover Letter Examples

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The best way to start a Teacher cover letter is by directly addressing the hiring manager or principal, if their name is known. Then, introduce yourself and state the teaching position you're applying for. Immediately follow this with a compelling reason why you're interested in the role and the school. This could be something unique about the school's approach to education that aligns with your teaching philosophy. This not only shows that you've done your research, but also that you're genuinely interested in the school and the role. Remember, the opening of your cover letter sets the tone for the rest of the letter, so make it engaging and tailored to the position.

Teachers should end a cover letter by summarizing their interest in the position and expressing their eagerness to contribute to the school or institution. They should reiterate their key qualifications and how they align with the job requirements. A polite and professional closing statement such as "Thank you for considering my application" or "I look forward to the possibility of contributing to your team" is appropriate. It's also important to include contact information for easy follow-up. Lastly, they should sign off with a professional closing like "Sincerely" or "Best regards," followed by their full name. This ending reaffirms their interest, highlights their suitability, and shows appreciation for the reader's time, which leaves a positive impression.

A teacher's cover letter should ideally be about one page in length. This is generally the standard for most professions, including teaching. The goal is to succinctly present your qualifications, passion for teaching, and how you can contribute to the school or institution. A one-page cover letter allows you to provide a detailed yet concise overview of your relevant experiences and skills without overwhelming the reader. Remember, hiring managers often have many applications to go through, so it's important to make your points clearly and efficiently.

Writing a cover letter with no experience as a teacher can seem daunting, but it's important to remember that everyone starts somewhere. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to write a compelling cover letter: 1. Start with a Professional Greeting: Address the hiring manager by their name if it's available. If not, use a general but professional greeting like "Dear Hiring Manager." 2. Introduction: Begin by stating the position you're applying for. Mention where you saw the job posting and express your interest in the position. 3. Highlight Relevant Skills: Even if you don't have direct teaching experience, you likely have skills that are relevant to the job. Perhaps you've volunteered with children, tutored peers in college, or have experience in a related field like counseling. Highlight these experiences and explain how they've prepared you for a teaching role. 4. Showcase Your Education: If you're a recent graduate, emphasize your education. Discuss relevant coursework, student teaching experiences, and educational philosophies you've studied that you plan to incorporate into your teaching. 5. Show Enthusiasm for the School: Do some research about the school you're applying to and mention something specific that impresses you or aligns with your own teaching philosophy. This shows that you're not just looking for any job, but that you're interested in this specific position. 6. Conclude with a Call to Action: In your closing paragraph, express your eagerness to further discuss your qualifications in an interview. Thank the hiring manager for considering your application. 7. Professional Closing: End the letter with a professional closing like "Sincerely" or "Best Regards," followed by your full name. Remember to keep your cover letter concise and to the point, ideally no longer than one page. Proofread carefully for any grammar or spelling errors. Your cover letter is your first chance to make a good impression, so make it count!

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3 Great Teacher Cover Letter Examples (+Teacher Cover Letter Writing Guide)

Posted by CV Nation on Mar 15, 2021

The complete guide to writing a job-winning cover letter for teachers, with three teacher cover letter samples, including a cover letter sample for teachers with no experience.

When pursuing teaching jobs, you’ll usually be required to submit a cover letter. Cover letters are just as important as CVs , possibly even more important, as they provide your first chance to stand out.

In order to make a positive impact and succeed with your applications, you'll need to equip yourself with an effective, professional cover letter that illustrates your value as a teacher.

In this guide, we cover all aspects of cover letter writing for teachers. This extends to:

- How to format and structure your teacher cover letter

- The most important skills for teachers and how to show them in your cover letter

- The most effective way of showcasing your achievements and experiences

- How to write a cover letter for teachers with no experience

- This guide also includes three teacher cover letter samples

Teacher Cover Letter Example

How to Structure Your Cover Letter

Following an established structure when preparing your cover letter will help ensure you’ve followed all the necessary steps and included all the relevant details.

Follow our six-step process to create an optimised teaching cover letter ticks all the boxes.

1. Introduction

Just as you would when meeting someone in person, you should introduce yourself at the beginning of your cover letter.

Explain who you are and why you are applying for the role.

2. Overview of knowledge and expertise

After introducing yourself, provide a concise overview of your knowledge and expertise. This brief paragraph lets the reader know that you’re a good fit for teaching jobs.

3. Key selling points

Ensure your cover letter draws attention to your key selling points.

For example, do you have a track record of generating high grades? Have you been presented with awards for teaching? These are key selling points that make you stand out.

4. Demonstrate research/match with values

Do your research and spend time to tailor your cover letter to the school or university that you’re applying to.

By conducting research, you will be able to show how you are well-matched with the school’s values and culture.

5. Key skills

Highlight a small number of your key skills that are relevant to teaching. Consider providing examples of times you have used the skills to achieve positive outcomes.

View our comprehensive guide to teacher skills and how to demonstrate them.

6. Ending and call to action

Bring your cover letter to a close by thanking the reader for their time and stating that you look forward to hearing from them.

Skills for Teacher Cover Letters

When preparing your cover letter, it’s important to ensure your key skills come across. Here we detail the five most important skills for teachers and how to show them on your cover letter.

Demonstrating these skills on your cover letter will give you a stronger chance of landing job interviews.

View 20 of the most common job interview questions for teachers .

What are the most important skills for teachers?

1. Communication

As teaching is basically about expressing ideas to students, communication is one of the most important skills for teachers.

Teachers communicate with groups of students on a daily basis, so it usually goes without saying that they’re good communicators.

However, a great way of reinforcing your communication skills on your cover letter is to ensure the letter conveys your message in a concise, professional manner. After all, your cover letter is a form of communication between yourself and the reader.

Take a look at the teacher cover letter samples in this guide. Note how they communicate with the reader clearly and professionally.

When preparing your own cover letter, ensure to use professional writing to demonstrate your communication skills.

2. Enthusiasm

Teachers who are enthusiastic often get better results in the classroom. This is largely because teaching with enthusiasm inspires students to embrace education.

So how do you show your enthusiasm on your cover letter?

To show your enthusiasm on your cover letter, simply ensure your passion for your profession comes across. Touch on what attracted you to the job, why you enjoy teaching and why you’re passionate about what you do.

3. Leadership

Teachers are leaders. They’re responsible for providing effective leadership to groups of students and fostering positive cultures in which they can flourish.

If you can demonstrate strong leadership qualities on your cover letter, you’ll enhance your chances of success with your applications.

How do you show leadership skills on your cover letter?

The ultimate goal of leaders is to generate results. So demonstrate the successes you achieved while leading in the classroom. Such achievements may range from improving students’ exam performance to reducing cases of absenteeism.

4. Organisation

In order to effectively manage classrooms and maintain teaching standards, teachers should have sound organisation skills.

How do you show your organisation skills on your cover letter?

Touch on your experiences completing tasks within timescales and managing multiple tasks simultaneously. You may want to provide examples of times you optimised efficiency via organisation.

Another way of drawing attention to your organisation skills is to highlight new systems you implemented to help you manage more effectively, such as new software systems.

5. Patience

All teachers understand the importance of patience in the classroom. Disruptive students and a lack of respect are the type of issues that may test the patience of teachers.

A simple way to illustrate your patience is to touch on your conflict management capabilities and your ability to maintain your composure under pressure.

How to Write a Cover Letter for Teachers with no Experience

If you’ve got no experience in teaching, focus on your education, training and transferable skills.

When touching on your education details, consider expanding to showcase your expertise and skills. For example, you may want to draw attention key projects or modules you undertook.

Furthermore, draw attention to any paid or non-paid work that is related to teaching, such as work as a nanny, librarian, tutor etc. Writing about such work will enable you to demonstrate key transferable skills.

Take a look at the teacher cover letter sample below to see how we presented the individual as an ideal candidate for the job, despite having no experience in teaching.

Teacher Cover Letter Example (No Experience)

Cover Letter Formatting and Design

When it comes to writing your cover letter, professionalism is key. A poorly formatted and designed cover letter often indicates unprofessional applicants. So follow our tips to ensure you come across as a professional candidate.

Adding spacing between paragraphs will make your cover letter easier to read and professional in appearance. Cover letters with no spacing tend to look like one huge block of text, which makes for a poor reading experience.

So it’s important to utilise your word processor’s spacing function to maintain the attention of the reader.

To add spacing to your document in Microsoft Word, highlight the text and click the ‘Layout’ tab. Then alter the ‘After’ tab to your chosen number of spacing (between 6 pt. and 8 pt. is our recommendation).

Fonts and fonts sizes

Use standard, professional fonts when writing your cover letter, such as Arial, Times New Roman and Calibri. Don't use overly creative fonts. These can be difficult to read and may look juvenile.

The optimum size for most fonts is between 10 and 11.5. Fonts that are too big often look unprofessional and fonts that are too small are usually difficult to read.

Proofreading

It goes without saying that you’re cover letter should be checked for spelling and grammatical errors. Writing errors may indicate an unprofessional character and can have a negative impact on your job applications.

Proofread your cover letter more than once or ask a friend to check it for you to make sure it is void of costly mistakes.

Further Cover Letter Advice for Teachers

Conduct research.

As we touched on in step four of the cover letter structure, it’s important to conduct research into the school/university you’re applying to.

This will enable you to tailor your cover letter to the job and show how you’re aligned with the employer’s values and culture.

By showing recruiters that you’ve done your research, you’ll also convince them that you’re genuinely interested in the position and not bulk applying for jobs.

Salutations and Conclusions

For applications in Britain, begin your cover letter with ‘Dear [Name]’ or 'Dear Recruitment Team' and bring your cover letter to a close with ‘Yours sincerely’. If you decide to begin your cover letter with ‘Dear Sir/Madam', bring the letter to a close with ‘Yours faithfully’.

Remember to only use ‘Yours sincerely’ if you have addressed the letter to a specific person or team.

In the United States, begin your cover letter with ‘Dear [Name]’ or ‘Dear Sir/Madam’. Bring the letter to a close with ‘Yours truly’ or ‘Yours faithfully’.

State that your CV is enclosed

If you’re submitting your cover letter along with your CV, state that your CV is enclosed. To do this, simply include ‘Enc.: CV’ at the end of your cover letter.

Here is an example:

Learn more about how to prepare a teacher CV .

Job application follow up

If you haven’t had a response to your application within two weeks, it’s a good idea to send a follow up email or letter.

The goal of application follow up letters is to give recruiters a gentle nudge and reiterate what makes you the ideal candidate for the job.

When preparing your job application follow up letter, try to avoid coming across as pushy, and keep it short and to-the-point.

We hope you’ve found this guide helpful in preparing an interview-generating cover letter for teaching jobs.

Ensure to accompany your cover letter with a powerful CV. Take a look at our comprehensive guide to preparing the perfect teacher CV , which includes three teacher CV examples.

More teacher resources:

- 3 Teacher CV Samples and Templates

- 10 Key Skills for Teachers

- 20 Teacher Job Interview Questions

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Joining Letter Format, Sample templates and tips

Joining letter format: a comprehensive guide.

Joining letter format  is a critical aspect of onboarding that ensures clarity and professionalism in formalizing employment. A well-structured joining letter confirms the acceptance of a job offer and sets clear expectations for the employee and the employer. This blog will explore the essential elements of a  joining letter , its significance, and how to craft one that meets legal and professional standards.

What is a Joining Letter?

A  Joining Letter , or an  Appointment Letter  or  Offer Acceptance Letter , is a formal document issued by an employer to a candidate selected for a specific position within the organization. This letter serves as the official confirmation of the candidate's acceptance of the job offer and clearly outlines the  terms and conditions  of their employment.

The  Joining Letter  is a vital step in the hiring process, as it formalizes the employment relationship between the candidate and the organization. By clearly detailing the  terms of employment , including the  date of joining ,  compensation package , and  reporting structure , the  joining letter  ensures that both parties are aligned on the expectations and responsibilities of the role.

Why is a Joining Letter Important?

Legal documentation and formalization.

• For Employers :  The joining letter  formalizes employment terms and protects against disputes.
• For Employees : Provides written proof of the  job offer  and terms, ensuring clarity.

Clarification of Job Role and Expectations

• For Employers : Ensures employees understand their  roles  and responsibilities, aligning them with company goals.
• For Employees : Clarifies  job title , duties, and  reporting structure , reducing confusion.

Compensation and Benefits Agreement

• For Employers : Confirms  salary  and benefits, minimizing future disputes over pay.
• For Employees : Details  compensation package , aiding in financial planning.

Confirmation of Employment Start Date

• For Employers : Allows planning of onboarding and resource allocation.
• For Employees : Provides a precise  start date , helping with transition preparations.

Protection Against Last-Minute Changes

• For Employers : Secures commitment from the candidate, reducing the risk of cancellations.
• For Employees : Confirms job offers, providing assurance and reducing uncertainty.

Critical Components of a Joining Letter

To craft an effective joining letter format, it is essential to include the following components:

Date of Issuance

• The specific date on which the  joining letter  is issued to the candidate.

Employer's Information

• Company Name and Address : The official name and address of the company issuing the  joining letter .
• Logo and Letterhead : Typically, the  joining letter  is printed on the company's letterhead, adding a formal touch.

Employee's Information

• Candidate’s Name : The candidate's full name is listed in the job application.
• Address : The candidate's residential address is included in the  joining letter .

Job Title and Role

• Position Offered : The official  job title  for which the candidate is being hired is clearly stated in the  joining letter .
• Department : The specific department or team where the candidate will work.
• Reporting Structure : Details on whom the candidate will report to, often a manager or department head.

Date of Joining

• The exact date on which the candidate is expected to start work, as agreed upon during the offer negotiation phase and included in the  joining letter .

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary Details : A clear breakdown of the  salary package  in the  joining letter , including base salary, bonuses, and other monetary benefits.
• Benefits and Perks : Information on employee  benefits  like health insurance, retirement plans, vacation days, and other perks.

Employment Terms and Conditions

• Probation Period : If applicable, the duration and terms of the probation period are specified in the  joining letter .
• Working Hours : The standard working hours and any expectations for overtime.
• Contract Type : Clarification on whether the employment is full-time, part-time, contract, or temporary, as outlined in the  joining letter .

Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Clauses

• Any clauses related to confidentiality, non-disclosure agreements, or intellectual property that the employee must adhere to, as mentioned in the  joining letter .

Company Policies and Compliance

• Code of Conduct : A brief mention or reference to the company’s code of conduct and other policies that the employee must follow, included in the  joining letter .
• Termination Conditions : The primary conditions under which employment may be terminated, including notice periods.

Acceptance of Offer

• Acknowledgment : A section in the  joining letter  where the employee is expected to sign or reply, acknowledging their acceptance of the terms and conditions.
• Signature Section : Space for the employee's signature and date confirming their acceptance of the offer.

Contact Information for Queries

• The contact details of the HR department or the person issuing the  joining letter should be provided in case the candidate has any questions or needs further clarification.

Enclosures or Attachments

• Any additional documents that need to be signed or reviewed, such as company policies, non-compete agreements, or detailed job descriptions, are often included with the  joining letter .

Joining Letter Template

Sample 1: joining letter format for teacher.

Date:  [Date of Issuance] To, [Teacher's Name] [Teacher's Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]

Subject:  Offer of Employment as [Subject] Teacher at [School Name]

Dear [Teacher's Name],

We are delighted to confirm your appointment as a [Subject] Teacher with [School Name]. Your qualifications, experience, and passion for education were impressive during the selection process, and we are excited to have you join our faculty.

1. Position and Reporting Structure

You are appointed to the [Subject] Teacher position in the [Department Name]. You will report directly to [Principal's Name], the Principal of [School Name]. Your key responsibilities will include lesson planning, classroom instruction, student assessment, and participation in school activities, as detailed in the attached job description.

2. Date of Joining

Your official start date will be [Start Date]. We expect you to report to the school at [school location] by [reporting time, e.g., 8:00 AM]. If this date changes, please inform us as soon as possible.

3. Compensation and Benefits

You will receive a gross annual salary of [Amount in local currency], payable monthly. In addition to your salary, you will be eligible for the following benefits:

• Health Insurance:  Coverage under the school's health insurance plan will commence on [start date or after probation period].
• Retirement Plan:  You will be enrolled in our [pension/retirement] plan as per school policy.
• Professional Development:  Continuous learning and development opportunities will be available throughout the year.

Further details on your compensation package are included in the enclosed document.

4. Probationary Period

Your employment will be subject to an initial probationary period of [Duration, e.g., three months]. During this time, your performance will be evaluated, and your position will be confirmed upon completion.

5. Working Hours

Your regular working hours will be from [Start Time] to [End Time], Monday through Friday. Additionally, as per school policy, you may be required to attend parent-teacher meetings and school events outside of regular hours.

6. School Policies

You are expected to adhere to all school policies, including our code of conduct, confidentiality agreement, and any other guidelines in effect during your employment. A copy of these policies is attached for your reference.

7. Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure

As a teacher at [School Name], you can access sensitive student information. You must sign a confidentiality agreement attached for your review and signature, which will be returned by your start date.

8. Acceptance of Offer

Please sign and return a copy of this letter by [Acceptance Deadline, e.g., within five business days] to confirm your acceptance of this offer. A duplicate copy of this letter is enclosed for your records.

We are confident you will be an asset to our school and look forward to your contribution to our students' growth and success. Should you have any questions, please contact me at [HR Manager's Contact Information].

Welcome to [School Name]!

[Signature] [HR Manager's Name] [HR Manager's Title] [Contact Information]

Enclosures:

• Job Description
• Compensation Details
• School Policies
• Confidentiality Agreement

Acknowledgment of Acceptance

I, [Teacher's Name], have read and understood the terms and conditions outlined in this Joining Letter and hereby accept the position of [Subject] Teacher at [School Name] under the terms specified above.

Signature:  _________________________

Date:  _________________________

Resignation letter for teacher

Sample 2: Joining Letter Format for Employee

Date:  [Date of Issuance]

To, [Employee Name] [Employee Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] Subject:  Offer of Employment as [Job Title] at [Company Name]

Dear [Employee Name],

We are pleased to extend this offer confirming your appointment as [Job Title] with [Company Name]. Your professional expertise, experience, and alignment with our company values have made you an excellent fit for our team.

You are being appointed to the position of [Job Title] within the [Department/Division] of [Company Name]. You will report directly to [Supervisor's Name and Title], and your key responsibilities will include [briefly describe key responsibilities or refer to the attached job description].

Your official start date is [Start Date]. We expect you to report to our office at [office location] by [reporting time, e.g., 9:00 AM]. Should you need to discuss this date further, please notify us immediately.

You will be compensated with a gross annual salary of [Amount in local currency], payable monthly/bi-weekly. Additionally, your benefits include:

• Health Insurance:  Coverage will begin on [start date or after probation period].
• Retirement Plan:  According to company policy, you will be eligible for our [pension/retirement] plan.
• Bonus Structure:  You may qualify for a performance-based bonus, outlined in our compensation policy.

Please refer to the enclosed document for a comprehensive overview of your compensation package.

Your employment is subject to a probationary period of [Duration, e.g., six months], during which your performance will be reviewed. Upon successful completion, your position will be confirmed permanently.

Your standard working hours are from [Start Time] to [End Time], Monday through Friday. However, per our overtime policy, you may also be required to work additional hours based on business requirements.

6. Company Policies

You must adhere to all company policies, including our code of conduct, confidentiality agreements, and other relevant guidelines. These documents are attached for your reference.

As an employee of [Company Name], you will access confidential information. Please sign the attached confidentiality agreement and return it by your start date.

To confirm your acceptance of this offer, please sign and return a copy of this letter by [Acceptance Deadline]. A duplicate copy is provided for your records.

We are excited to have you join our team and look forward to your contributions to [Company Name]. If you have any questions, please contact me at [HR Manager's Contact Information].

• Company Policies

I, [Employee Name], have read and understood the terms and conditions outlined in this Joining Letter and hereby accept the position of [Job Title] at [Company Name] under the terms specified above.

Releiving letter formats

Sample 3: Delay in Joining Date Letter Format

Date:  [Date of Issuance] To, [Employee Name] [Employee Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]

Subject:  Request for Delay in Joining Date

We are responding to your request regarding the delay in your joining date at [Company Name]. We understand unforeseen circumstances may require adjustments to the originally agreed-upon start date.

1. Revised Date of Joining

Based on our discussion, we have approved your request to delay your start date to [Revised Start Date]. Please report to our office at [office location] by [reporting time, e.g., 9:00 AM] on this new date.

2. Position and Reporting Structure

Your position as [Job Title] remains unchanged. You will report directly to [Supervisor's Name and Title] in the [Department/Division]. Your responsibilities will remain as outlined in your original  joining letter .

All terms of your compensation package, including your gross annual salary of [Amount in local currency] and the associated benefits, will remain the same as stated in your original  joining letter .

4. Company Policies and Compliance

You must still comply with all company policies, including our code of conduct and confidentiality agreements outlined in your initial  joining letter . These policies remain in effect from your revised start date.

5. Acceptance of Revised Joining Date

Please sign and return a copy of this letter by [Acceptance Deadline] to confirm your acknowledgment of the revised start date. A copy of your original  joining letter  is attached for your reference.

We appreciate your prompt attention and look forward to your start at [Company Name] on the revised date. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at [HR Manager's Contact Information].

• Original Joining Letter

I, [Employee Name], acknowledge the revised start date as [Revised Start Date] for my position as [Job Title] at [Company Name] under the terms specified above.

Sample 4: Joining Letter Format for Internship

Date:  [Date of Issuance] To, [Intern’s Name] [Intern’s Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]

Subject:  Offer of Internship as [Internship Position] at [Company Name]

Dear [Intern’s Name],

We are excited to offer you the position of [Internship Position] with [Company Name] for the duration of [Internship Duration, e.g., 3 months]. Your educational background, skills, and enthusiasm impressed us during the selection process, and we look forward to having you on board.

You will intern as a [Internship Position] in the [Department/Division]. You will report directly to [Supervisor's Name and Title], who will guide you throughout your internship. Your key responsibilities will include [briefly describe key responsibilities], providing you with hands-on experience in your field of study.

Your internship is scheduled to start on [Start Date]. We expect you to report to our office at [office location] by [reporting time, e.g., 9:00 AM]. Please inform us if any changes to this date are required.

3. Stipend and Benefits

You will receive a monthly stipend of [Amount in local currency] during your internship. Additionally, you will have access to [mention any benefits like transportation allowance, meals, etc.]. This internship is an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience, though it does not include standard employment benefits such as health insurance.

4. Internship Duration and Hours

The internship will last from [Start Date] to [End Date]. Your working hours will be from [Start Time] to [End Time], Monday through Friday, with potential flexibility depending on project requirements.

5. Company Policies

As an intern, you must adhere to all company policies, including our code of conduct and confidentiality guidelines. These documents are attached for your reference and compliance.

6. Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure

During your internship, you will have access to confidential information. Please review and sign the attached confidentiality agreement and return it by your start date.

7. Acceptance of Offer

To confirm your acceptance of this internship offer, please sign and return a copy of this letter by [Acceptance Deadline]. A duplicate copy is enclosed for your records.

We are confident this internship will be a valuable experience for you and that you will be a great addition to our team. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at [HR Manager’s Contact Information].

[Signature] [HR Manager’s Name] [HR Manager’s Title] [Contact Information]

• Internship Description
• Stipend Details

I, [Intern’s Name], have read and understood the terms and conditions outlined in this Joining Letter and hereby accept the internship position of [Internship Position] at [Company Name] under the terms specified above.

Sample 5: Joining Letter Format for College Lecturer

[Lecturer’s Name] [Lecturer’s Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]

Subject:  Appointment as [Subject] Lecturer at [College Name]

Dear [Lecturer’s Name],

We are pleased to confirm your appointment as a [Subject] Lecturer with [College Name]. Your academic credentials, teaching experience, and dedication to education have impressed us, and we are excited to welcome you to our faculty.

You are appointed as a [Subject] Lecturer in the [Department Name]. You will report directly to [Head of Department’s Name], the Head of the [Department Name]. Your responsibilities will include:

• Preparing and delivering lectures.
• Conducting assessments.
• Contributing to students' academic development, as detailed in the attached job description.

Your official start date will be [Start Date]. We expect you to report to [college location] by [reporting time, e.g., 8:00 AM]. If there are any issues with this start date, please inform us as soon as possible.

You will receive a gross annual salary of [Amount in local currency], payable monthly. In addition, you will be eligible for the following benefits:

• Health Insurance:  Coverage under the college’s health insurance plan begins on [start date or after probation period].
• Retirement Plan:  You will be enrolled in our [pension/retirement] plan according to college policy.
• Professional Development:  Opportunities for attending workshops, conferences, and further education.

Details of your compensation package are included in the attached document.

Your appointment is subject to a probationary period of [Duration, e.g., six months], during which your performance will be reviewed. Upon successful completion, your position will be confirmed permanently.

5. Teaching Hours and Duties

Your regular teaching hours will be from [Start Time] to [End Time], Monday through Friday. In addition to teaching, you are expected to participate in departmental meetings, academic advising, and other responsibilities outlined in the college’s faculty handbook.

6. College Policies

You must adhere to all college policies, including our code of conduct, academic integrity guidelines, and other relevant rules. Please find the attached copy of these policies for your reference.

As a lecturer at [College Name], you will handle sensitive academic information. You must sign the attached confidentiality agreement and return it by your start date.

Please sign and return a copy of this letter by [Acceptance Deadline] to confirm your acceptance of this offer. A duplicate copy is enclosed for your records.

We are confident you will significantly contribute to our college and look forward to your involvement in our academic community. Should you have any questions, please contact me at [HR Manager’s Contact Information].

• College Policies

I, [Lecturer’s Name], have read and understood the terms and conditions outlined in this Joining Letter and hereby accept the position of [Subject] Lecturer at [College Name] under the terms specified above.

Legal Considerations of a joining letter

• Contract Formation: A  joining letter  is integral to the employment contract formation process, requiring the essential elements of an enforceable contract:  offer ,  acceptance , and  consideration . A legally binding contract is established once an employee accepts the  joining letter , either verbally or in writing.  (Lockton, 1999) .
• Employment Relation Determination: The  joining letter  helps define the nature of the employment relationship, ensuring it meets legal standards. It should clearly outline terms such as  wage ,  job responsibilities , and the  supervisory structure to prevent disputes about the employment relationship. ( Thu 2021 )
• Legal Status and Protection: The  joining letter  must comply with applicable labor laws, protect employee rights, and ensure that the terms of employment meet legal minimum standards. Non-compliance could result in legal disputes, making the  joining letter  legally enforceable only if it adheres to these requirements.
• Legal Implications of Employment Contracts: The  joining letter  is crucial in defining the legal aspects of the employment contract. It should be precise and specific to prevent breaches and protect employers and employees from legal liability.
• Rights and Obligations: The terms outlined in the  joining letter  establish the rights and obligations of both the employer and employee. Clear, legally compliant terms are essential to avoid potential disputes and ensure a smooth employment relationship.

A joining letter format is more than a formality—it is a vital document that establishes the foundation for a professional and legally sound employment relationship. Both employers and employees benefit from a well-structured joining letter, as it ensures clarity, accuracy, and professionalism.

Whether you are drafting a joining letter format for a full-time employee or an intern, following the best practices outlined in this guide will help you create a document that meets all necessary standards. By adhering to these guidelines, you will produce a joining letter that is clear, concise, and effective.

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The University of Chicago The Law School

Employment law clinic—significant achievements for 2023-24.

During the past academic year, the Employment Law Clinic has continued its work helping pro se plaintiffs in employment discrimination cases in federal court. This work includes representing pro se plaintiffs as their Settlement Assistance Counsel in individual discrimination cases and representing pro se plaintiffs in their appeals to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. In addition, the Employment Law Clinic has expanded its work with pro se plaintiffs by participating in the William J. Hibbler Memorial Pro Se Assistance Program. This program allows students in the Employment Law Clinic to provide pro se plaintiffs with advice about procedural issues in their cases. Some of the significant developments in a few of the Clinic’s cases are detailed below.

Settlement Assistance Cases

Clinical Professor Randall D. Schmidt and his students are appointed on a regular basis to provide representation to pro se plaintiffs at settlement conferences. Since starting this project in early 2021, Professor Schmidt has been appointed as Settlement Assistance Counsel for pro se plaintiffs in twenty employment discrimination cases. Although most of these cases were pending in the Eastern Division of the Northern District of Illinois, he has also been appointed in cases pending the Western Division of the Northern District of Illinois and in the Central District of Illinois.

These cases allow students to interview the client, research the legal and factual issues in the case, draft a settlement demand letter, represent the client at a settlement conference, and, if the case settles, draft the settlement agreement.

Professor Schmidt and his students have been very successful in resolving these cases. Of the twenty cases Professor Schmidt and his students have handled, fourteen were settled after one of more mediation sessions. Five are still pending awaiting the initial or follow-up settlement conference. One case did not settle and the plaintiff recently lost her case when the court granted the defendant’s motion for summary judgment.

Below are a few examples of cases that Professor Schmidt and his students handled during the 2023-24 academic year. Each of these cases resulted in a settlement after one or more mediation sessions. Pursuant to the settlement agreements in these lawsuits the details of the settlements are confidential.

Jackson v. Robert W. Baird & Co. , No. 1:22-cv-04852 (Settled 09/11/23)

In October 2016, Devonia Jackson began working for Robert W. Baird & Co. (“Baird”) as an Administrative Assistant in its Milwaukee, Wisconsin office. Baird is a global investment-banking firm that provides private investment services to mid-market businesses.

While employed by Baird, Ms. Shaw received several promotions and pay increases in recognition of her excellent performance. In 2018, Ms. Jackson relocated to Baird’s Virginia office. In two months she raised concerns over the abusive behavior of a lead banker and transferred to the Chicago office.

In 2020, Ms. Jackson began reporting to a new supervisor. From the beginning of their professional relationship, the new supervisor treated Ms. Jackson differently from other employees. The supervisor was often dismissive of Ms. Jackson’s concerns. Without asking Ms. Jackson, she reassigned Ms. Jackson’s to work with junior bankers. The supervisor told Ms. Jackson that she was “scared of working” with her, despite being Ms. Jackson’s supervisor.

Suddenly and without warning, Baird discharged Ms. Jackson in August 2021. In support of its decision to discharge Ms. Jackson’s termination, Baird cited two incidents in which Ms. Jackson was allegedly insubordinate. Ms. Jackson disputed that she was insubordinate during either incident. Moreover, no one at Baird raised concerns about either incident until Ms. Jackson was discharged. Ms. Jackson’s supervisors neither warned Ms. Jackson about the incidents before her termination nor gave her a chance to explain herself, even though she had a history of being a high-performing employee.

In addition, Baird did not terminate other similarly situated, substantially younger, Administrative Assistants whose job performance and/or behavior at work was alleged to have been insubordinate. After discharging Ms. Jackson, Baird assigned Ms. Jackson’s duties to younger employees.

Finally, after Ms. Jackson left Baird, she found out that between August 2020 and August 2021 Baird terminated ten administrators, all of whom were over the age of forty. The employees who had been terminated were also highly experienced—many had over ten years of experience at Baird— and in an older age group. They, too, were replaced by younger employees.

Ms. Jackson filed a pro se complaint against Baird and alleged that its termination of her employment violated the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. During discovery, the parties indicated to the court that they were interested in participating a settlement conference. Accordingly, the court appointed Professor Schmidt to serve as Mr. Lara’s Settlement Assistance Counsel. The parties were able to agree to a settlement during the initial settlement conference and the case was dismissed.

Johnson v. P.F.A. Systems, Inc. , No. 1:22-cv-0719) (N.D. Ill.) (Settled 03/25/24)

P.F.A. Systems, Inc., is a regional trucking company that transports liquid hazardous materials. P.F.A. hired Seneca Johnson as a truck driver in February 2022. At the time he was hired, Mr. Johnson told his supervisor that as an accommodation to his disability (a lower back injury), he needed to be assigned to drive trucks with automatic transmissions. Mr. Johnson was told that it would not be a problem to provide this accommodation to him.

Despite P.F.A.’s assurance that it would provide Mr. Johnson with an automatic transmission truck, P.F.A. forced Mr. Johnson to drive a 13-speed manual transmission truck, which caused severe pain, numbness in his leg and exacerbated Mr. Johnson’s back injury. Mr. Johnson complained to P.F.A. about its failure to assign him to a truck with an automatic transmission. In response, P.F.A. informed Mr. Johnson that the automatic truck had been given to another driver because that driver’s truck had to be fixed.

A few days later, Mr. Johnson again requested that P.F.A. accommodate his disability by assigning him to a truck with an automatic transmission. His immediate supervisor told him that he needed to “deal with it or find another job.” The supervisor also said, “P.F.A. and I don’t care about people with disabilities. We’re not going to make special accommodations for people with disabilities.” Mr. Johnson told the supervisor that he and P.F.A. were discriminating against people with disabilities. The supervisor retorted that P.F.A. does not hire people with disabilities. In response to Mr. Johnson’s statement that it is against the law for a company to turn down a qualified person because of their disabilities, the supervisor said, “Then you are at the wrong company. We don’t play by those rules.”

A week later. P.F.A. discharged Mr. Johnson claiming it did not have enough work for him. At the same time, P.F.A. was running help wanted ads seeking truck drivers.

Mr. Johnson filed a lawsuit against P.F.A. alleging that it violated the Americans with Disability Act by (1) failing to provide a reasonable accommodation for his disability and (2) retaliating against him for asserting his statutory rights. After most of the discovery had been competed in the case, Professor Schmidt was appointed to represent Mr. Johnson as his Settlement Assistance Counsel. The matter was resolved a few months later.

Lara v. Health Track Sports and Wellness, LLC , No. 1:23-cv-00487 (N.D. Ill.) (Settled 03/19/24)

Lazaro Lara worked for Health Track Sports and Wellness, LLC, (“Health Track”), a health and fitness club, for sixteen years. Mr. Lara was diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, and depression, which qualifies as an impairment under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Early in his employment, Mr. Lara informed his employers of his disability.

Beginning in April 2020, Health Track subjected Mr. Lara to a severe and pervasive hostile work environment. Mr. Lara’s supervisor and his co-workers routinely harassed Mr. Lara on the basis of his disabilities, calling him “crazy” and taunting him that he “suffer[ed] from schizophrenia.” They hounded Mr. Lara about his medical issues, telling him that his medication was not working and that he needed additional medical intervention. They would change his schedule without notice, including forcing him to work in person during the COVID pandemic while others were allowed to stay home. To ensure compliance with their orders, Health Track threatened to strip Mr. Lara of his health insurance.

Mr. Lara suffered damage to his mental health that significantly affected his quality of life because of the severity of Health Track’s hostile work environment. As Lara’s condition worsened, he took two steps to try to stop the harassment. First, he requested a few specific accommodations: that all of his work tasks be put in writing, that he receive clear instructions, that he be put on a schedule to keep track of his hours and to avoid management changing it without notice, and that he have access to a quiet place as needed. Health Track, however, failed to provide these requested accommodations.

Second, after Health Track ignored his requested accommodations, he filed a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in January 2021. In the charge, Mr. Lara alleged that he had requested reasonable accommodations for his disabilities and Health Track refused to provide those accommodations. Mr. Lara further alleged that his co-workers subjected him to harassment because of his disabilities.

Subsequently, in late March 2021, Mr. Lara attended a meeting with his supervisors for the express purpose of discussing Mr. Lara’s accommodations not being met and the harassment. However, during the meeting, the supervisor tried to convince Mr. Lara that he was not mentally stable and that Mr. Lara needed to find someone to “take care of his affairs.” Further, the supervisor told Mr. Lara that he would never allow Mr. Lara to work due to his mental condition—even though Mr. Lara’s doctor had cleared him to work—and that Health Track did not have any hours for him if he tried to return. The supervisor pushed Mr. Lara to resign, guaranteeing him that he could retain health insurance through COBRA or the American Rescue Plan if he chose to resign. Mr. Lara refused to resign at any point during the meeting or thereafter. At the meeting’s end, the supervisor told Mr. Lara to take a few days off, assuring him that Health Track would investigate the issues and get back to him with their conclusions.

The next time Mr. Lara heard from Health Track was two weeks later in April 2021. At that time, Health Track informed Mr. Lara that he had voluntarily resigned and that he was no longer an employee of Health Track.

Mr. Lara filed a lawsuit against Health Track alleging that its actions violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. In his complaint, Mr. Lara alleged that Health Track failed to accommodate Mr. Lara’s disabilities and subjected him to a severe and pervasive hostile work environment due to his disabilities during his employment. Mr. Lara also claimed that his discharge was in retaliation for his filing the EEOC charge and complaining about the discrimination and harassment.

Shortly after the case was filed, the court appointed Professor Schmidt to serve as Mr. Lara’s Settlement Assistance Counsel. After several settlement conferences, the parties were able to agree to a settlement and the case was dismissed.

Shaw v. Chicago School of Professional Psychology , No. 1:23-cv-00631 (N.D. Ill.) (Settled 09/11/23)

Donna Shaw worked for the Chicago School of Professional Psychology (“TCSPP”) for seven years. TCSPP is an accredited, nonprofit university that offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs in psychology and related behavioral science fields. TCSPP has in-person campuses in seven metropolitan areas, including Chicago and San Diego, and an online campus.

Throughout her time at TCSPP, Ms. Shaw was discriminated against due to her race, color, and age. Most significantly, Ms. Shaw’s superiors created a hostile work environment for Ms. Shaw and repeatedly denied her promotions to positions that she is qualified to fill. On each occasion, instead of promoting Ms. Shaw, TCSPP promoted younger, less qualified, non-Black individuals. When Ms. Shaw complained about her treatment and the denial of promotions, TCSPP retaliated against her.

Ms. Shaw filed a pro se complaint of discrimination against TCSPP. In her complaint, Ms. Shaw alleged that TCSPP’s failure to take steps to end and prevent the hostile work environment and its failure to promote her violated Title and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Shortly after TCSPP filed its answer, the court appointed Professor Schmidt as Ms. Shaw’s Settlement Assistance Counsel and set the case for a settlement conference. The parties were able to reach a settlement during the settlement conference and the case was dismissed.

William J. Hibbler Memorial Pro Se Assistance Program

In early 2024, the Employment Law Clinic expanded its work with pro se litigants by participating in the William J. Hibbler Memorial Pro Se Assistance Program (“Hibler Help Desk”). The Hibbler Help Desk is administered by the People’s Law Center in cooperation with the District Court and the Chicago Bar Foundation. It is “staffed” by volunteer attorneys. It serves pro se litigants in civil cases filed or to be filed in the federal court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern and Western Divisions. A Program attorney provides pro se litigants with limited legal assistance with their cases. In particular, the Hibbler Help Desk provides pro se litigants with help on procedural issues, not substantive legal advice.

The Employment Law Clinic began helping pro se litigants in February 2024. Since then, students in the Clinic have met with and assisted more than twenty-five pro se litigants. The assistance we have provided includes helping clients complete the documents needed to file a pro se employment discrimination complaint; providing guidance on submitting Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a) initial disclosures, written discovery requests and responses; help in complying with the NDIL’s rules regarding motions to compel discovery; explaining the status of the pro se’s case or appeal; referring clients to resources that could assist them with the substantive legal issues in their cases; and referring pro se’s other providers of civil legal services or to social service agencies.

Appellate Cases

The Employment Law Clinic represents clients in a number of appeals in the US Court Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. In some of these appeals, the Employment Law Clinic represents the appellants in their appeals. In other reconsiderations appeals, the Clinic is contacted and asked to participate as amicus curiae. Students working on these appeals write the briefs and present oral argument to the Seventh Circuit. Both Professor Schmidt and Lecturer in Law James Whitehead supervise the students in the appeals pending in the Seventh Circuit.

Bell v. DeJoy Appeal No. 24-1478 (7th Cir.)

Mary Bell is currently working for the United States Post Office (“Postal Service”). On November 22, 2022, Ms. Bell filed her pro se Complaint alleging that the Postal Service discriminated against her with respect to overtime pay and by refusing to downgrade her position. In response, the Postal Service moved to dismiss the complaint, in part, because Ms. Bell had not received a right-to-sue letter from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission before filing her complaint. Thus, according to the Postal Service, Ms. Bell’s complaint was premature. Contrary to the Postal Service’s motion, Ms. Bell had in fact received a right-to-sue letter from the EEOC after filing her complaint and prior to the Postal Service’s filing of its motion to dismiss. This fact was not brought to the court’s attention, even though the Postal Service had received a copy of the right-to-sue letter, the court agreed and dismissed the complaint.

The Employment Law Clinic decided to submit an amicus brief in support of Ms. Bell because this case presents several issues of significant importance to the rights of individuals to pursue federal employment discrimination claims in court. In particular, the Employment Law Clinic argues that the district court incorrectly dismissed Ms. Bell’s claims because she had not filed an Amended Complaint raising the claims within ninety days of her receipt of a right-to-sue letter. The court, however, ignored the fact that she had raised the claims in her prematurely filed complaint before receiving the right-to-sue letter. In so doing, the district court disregarded the Seventh Circuit’s settled law that her receipt of the right-to-sue letter before the dismissal of her complaint had cured the Complaint’s premature filing.

The case is currently being briefed.

Miko Thomas v. JBS Green Bay Appeal No. 24-1404 (7th Cir.)

Mr. Thomas works for JBS Green Bay, one of the world’s largest meat producers. In his complaint, he alleged that his employer discriminated against him due to his color with respect to several terms and conditions of his employment, in violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Relying on the Seventh Circuit’s standard for establishing justiciable adverse employment actions in discrimination cases, the district court dismissed Mr. Thomas’s Complaint and Amended Complaint. The court concluded that the actions he complained of were not “materially adverse” as a matter of law.

Mr. Thomas appealed and asked the Employment Law Clinic to represent him in his appeal. The Employment Law agreed to do so because of its interest in clarifying what adverse actions are actionable under Title VII, the ADA and other anti-discrimination statutes.

After the Employment Law Clinic agreed to represent Mr. Thomas, and six weeks after the district court’s final decision in Mr. Thomas’s case, the US Supreme Court, on April 17, 2024, issued its opinion in Muldrow v. City of St. Louis , 601 U.S. ___, 144 S. Ct 967 (2024). As the Employment Law Clinic predicted, the Court held that, although an employee must show some harm in order to prevail in a Title VII discrimination suit, an employee does not need to show that the injury satisfies a heightened significance test or was “materially adverse.” In doing so, the Court mentions Seventh Circuit precedent as an example of courts using an incorrect standard for determining what actions constitutes adverse action for purposes of Title VII.

Thus, the primary issue in Thomas is whether the district court erred in dismissing Mr. Thomas’s case in light of the Supreme Court’s opinion in Muldrow.

The case is currently being briefed and an oral argument is expected to take place this fall.

Sapp v. Forest Preserves of Cook County , Appeal No. 22-2865 (7th Cir.)

Tyler Sapp served as a full-time Police Officer for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Illinois (“Forest Preserves”) from January 5, 2009, until his employment was terminated in January 2019. In 2018, Mr. Sapp went on a leave of absence under the Family and Medical Leave Act so that he could receive treatment for a for bipolar disorder. In July 2018, he was released by his personal doctor to return to work with no restrictions. The Forest Preserves, however, refused to allow him to return to work and required that he undergo an independent medical examination to determine if Mr. Sapp was fit to return to work from his medical leave. Mr. Sapp agreed to do so. The doctor who performed the IME, however, concluded that Ms. Sapp was unfit to return to work as a Forest Preserves Police Officer. Mr. Sapp then requested that the Forest Preserves engage in an interactive process with him to determine if the Forest Preserves could accommodate his condition. The Forest Preserves refused to do so and instead discharged Mr. Sapp.

Mr. Sapp brought a disability-discrimination claim against the Forest Preserves under the Americans with Disabilities Act. He alleged that he is a qualified individual with a disability and that he had been denied the same terms and conditions afforded to his co-workers who were similarly situated. In particular, Mr. Sapp alleged that the Forest Preserves was aware of his disability and failed to reasonably accommodate his disability despite accommodating the disabilities of other Forest Preserves Police Officers.

After the close of discovery, the parties filed cross-motions for summary judgment. The district court issued its Memorandum Opinion and Order granting summary judgment to the Forest Preserves and denying Mr. Sapp’s motion. Mr. Sapp appealed the court’s decision.

On appeal, Mr. Sapp requested that the Employment Law Clinic represent him in his appeal. The Employment law Clinic agreed to do so. The primary issue the Employment Law Clinic planned to address in the appeal was whether the district court erred in granting summary judgment to the Forest Preserves because a reasonable jury could have found that the Forest Preserves’ failure to engage in the interactive process led to a violation of the ADA due to the failure to identify a reasonable accommodation. Instead of engaging with Mr. Sapp to find a solution, the Forest Preserves thwarted discussions by terminating his employment.

Shortly after filing an appearance in the appeal, the matter was set for mediation before the Seventh Circuit’s Mediation Office. After several mediation sessions, the parties were able to reach a settlement in the case and the appeal was dismissed.

Franklin Township Community School Corporation , Appeal No. 23-2786 (7th Cir)

In 2012, Wesley Tedrow was hired by Franklin Township School Corporation (“School Corporation”) as a teacher. In November 2019, Mr. Tedrow was preliminarily offered a higher-paying position to teach sixth grade at a different school in Indiana. The School Corporation, however, refused to provide Mr. Tedrow with a reference, despite having provided such references in the past. The School Corporation’s refusal to provide the reference resulted in the other school resulting in the rescinding of its offer.

Mr. Tedrow filed a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), alleging that the School Corporation declined to provide him with a reference because his sex and disability.

After Mr. Tedrow filed his initial charge, the School Corporation demanded that Mr. Tedrow submit to an Independent Medical Examination to determine if he was using steroids. The IME was inconclusive. The School Corporation then transferred Mr. Tedrow to different school in the district.

Mr. Tedrow filed a second charge with the EEOC alleging that his transfer was discriminatory and in retaliation for his first charge. The EEOC issued Mr. Tedrow a notice of right to sue and Mr. Tedrow filed suit against the School Corporation alleging discrimination and retaliation in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008.

After discovery was completed, the School Corporation filed a motion for summary judgment on all claims, which was granted by the district court. The court dismissed Mr. Tedrow’s discrimination claims on the basis that: (1) he failed to properly plead his allegation that the School Corporation unlawfully refused to provide him with a reference, and (2) his transfer did not constitute an adverse employment action as required by Title VII because it did not include a reduction in compensation or benefits.

The Employment Law Clinic agreed to represent Mr. Tedrow on appeal because the issue of what constitutes actionable adverse action was an issue that was then pending before the US Supreme Court in in Muldrow v. City of St. Louis , 601 U.S. ___, 144 S. Ct 967 (2024), In addition, several other circuit courts of appeal hard recently issued opinions rejecting their prior precedent on what adverse actions are actionable.

Harris v. Vision Energy LLC , No. C-2300406 (Ohio Ct. App.)

The Employment Law Clinic is often requested to submit amicus briefs in cases in pending before the Illinois Supreme Court, the Illinois Court of Appeals, and appellate courts in other jurisdictions. This year, the Employment Law Clinic was asked to submit an amicus brief concerning the history of the Illinois Wage Payment and Collections Act (“IWPCA”) in Harris v. Vision . The Employment Law Clinic previously submitted a similar brief in Johnson v. Diakon Logistics, 44 F.3d 1048 (7th Cir. 2022).

In Harris , Jeff Harris, a resident of Ohio, worked for Vision Energy, an Ohio company. All of the work Mr. Harris provided to Vision took place in Illinois. In exchange for Mr. Harris’s labor, Vision promised him, among other compensation, a four percent equity interest in a yet-to-be-formed corporation. When Vision failed to pay him the value of the promised equity interest, Mr. Harris filed a complaint against Vision in Ohio to recover that sum under the IWPCA. Vision moved to dismiss Mr. Harris’ IWPCA claim based on a choice-of-law provision in the parties’ contract, which stated that the agreement was to be governed by Ohio law. The court granted Vision’s motion and dismissed the IWPCA claim.

Mr. Harris appealed the court’s dismissal of his IWPCA claim and his counsel requested that the Employment Law Clinic submit a brief explaining the history and strong public policy behind the IWPCA. The Employment Law Clinic agreed to do so and submitted an amicus brief on behalf of Mr. Harris.

In the amicus brief, the Employment Law Clinic argues that the history of the IWPCA and Illinois’s prior wage-theft statutes demonstrates the importance that the Illinois legislature has placed on protecting its workers and the centrality of preventing wage theft to Illinois’s public policy. The amicus brief also demonstrates that Illinois has a materially greater interest than Ohio in the resolution of the dispute because Mr. Harris performed all his work for Vision in Illinois. The lower court’s decision that requires Mr. Harris to bring his wage theft claim against Vision under Ohio’s wage laws, is manifestly repugnant to the fundamental policies of Illinois because Ohio’s wage protection laws would not have provided him with a viable claim or with any remedy for the work he performed solely in Illinois.

Finally, the Employment Law Clinic argued that the choice-of-law provision in the Harris-Vision Agreement did not override the territorial limitations of Ohio’s wage protection statutes, which do not apply extraterritorially to work performed exclusively outside of Ohio. Courts across the country, including Ohio courts, have long recognized that a state’s territorial limitations apply even when that state’s law is selected for application by a choice-of-law provision.

The appeal is pending in the Ohio Court of Appeals.