How to Write a Resume for a Teaching Position (With Example)

When you apply for a teaching position, you need to submit a resume that highlights your experience and skills. A good resume is essential for getting the attention of the hiring manager and receiving an invitation to interview. It's every potential employer's first impression of you, and a way to set yourself apart from the competition. In this article, we discuss the most common types of resumes, the parts of a typical resume, how to make a resume, and provide a teacher resume sample.

Common types of resumes

All resumes include your work history, education, and skills, but different types of resumes can be more successful in different circumstances. You should use your resume to show the hiring manager for a teaching position that you deserve consideration and that you can present yourself professionally.

Most resumes for teaching positions are chronological or functional, and there are benefits to both:

Chronological resume

Chronological resumes are more traditional, and they focus on work experience. They usually start with the most recent position and list the responsibilities you had at each job. They also include a list of relevant skills to attract the hiring manager's attention.

Functional resume

A functional resume is a better choice for people who don't have extensive work experience, have recently graduated from their teaching program, or are switching careers. The skills section of a functional resume is larger, and it can even be above the work history. Each important skill has its own heading, just like the work history in the experience section. It then has bullet points underneath it to demonstrate how you've applied that ability in the past.

When you write a functional resume, organize your skills and abilities by their relevance to the position. Use numbers to quantify your accomplishments and abilities, as these are easier to read. Use the same keywords listed in the job posting to show the reader you're well-suited to the role. Many businesses use software to search resumes for keywords, known as applicant tracking systems (ATS). This often short-lists the high volume of resumes that are submitted for each role, so using the right keywords is highly important.

Pair your resume with a cover letter to make it more effective and explain in more detail why you want to work at the company.

The parts of a typical resume

Although they're arranged in different ways, most resumes share these elements:

Contact information

Potential employers need to know how to contact you if they're interested in hiring you. Your contact information should be at the top of the page, and your name should be the most noticeable part of your resume. You should also include your phone number, your email address, and your current city and province or territory. Ensure your email address doesn't include any nicknames or special characters so it reads professionally. A simple combination of your first and last name is best.

An overview statement or teacher profile

A teacher profile is a concise paragraph or bulleted list at the beginning of your resume that summarizes your top professional qualities. These parts of a resume are typically only five or six lines long. They summarize the rest of the resume to encourage people to continue reading.

Your education

Your college and postgraduate education should be on your resume as well. Add the place where you got your bachelor's degree and attended teacher's college and when you attended. If you have any notable achievements, such as graduating with honours, being a member of a club or society, or having a GPA above 3.5, mention that as well. You don't need to include your high school education. However, if you're applying for a job at the same school you attended, it's likely to gain some attention from your potential employer.

Certifications

Many teachers and other workers pursue professional certifications after they finish with their formal education. It's a great way to show employers you're constantly increasing your skills and learning new things. Certifications can also make you more attractive to potential employers and show your competence.

Professional experience

List each job in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position. Under each job, list several of your most significant responsibilities and duties. When possible, focus on duties related to the job you're applying for, particularly the ones mentioned in the job posting.

Skills

Functional resumes have more detailed descriptions of skills, but this information is important for every type of resume. Include a wide variety of teaching skills, as many as you think will benefit you in the role. Personal or adaptive skills are sometimes called soft skills, and they describe personality traits that can help you succeed at work. Some soft skills that are helpful for teachers include:

• Communication

• Problem-solving

• Creativity

• Flexibility

• Leadership

• A strong work ethic

• Conflict resolution

• Reliability

• Teamwork

• Organization

• Confidence

• A positive attitude

• Time management

• Attention to detail

You should also mention hard skills, like knowledge of PowerPoint, SmartBoards, and the BlackBoard learning management system. List the skills that are most relevant to the position you're applying for first. That way, you can encourage people to continue reading.

Accomplishments and achievements

In this section, mention any awards you received or accomplishments you made. For example, you could mention winning Teacher of the Year in 2022. You could also describe how you increased student scores on standardized tests by holding frequent practice tests. When possible, use numbers to describe your accomplishments.

How to create a resume for a teaching position

Here are some steps to help you make an effective, persuasive resume for a teaching position:

1. Research the school district

Administrators at the district level are usually the ones who hire teachers, not the individual schools. Before you start writing your resume, do some research about the school district. Look at their website, talk to teachers who work there or have worked there, and find out what attributes and skills the district looks for in its teachers. Then, include the same keywords when you write your resume.

2. State who you are

Start your resume by stating who you are in a brief sentence. For example, you could write "Passionate elementary school teacher with more than five years of experience, and dedication to inspiring young learners." This lets the person reading the resume immediately know a little about you and want to keep reading. It's important to make this short line engaging.

3. Add your objective

With the objective, you state your resume's goal. You can write it in a separate sentence or include it with your statement about who you are. For example, you could write "High school teacher with more than five years of experience seeks a full-time math and science teaching position." Adjust the teaching resume objective to match each unique job you apply for.

4. Describe your qualifications

You should describe your education, experience, skills, awards, and accomplishments. Use short phrases and be as descriptive as possible. Use bullet points and make your resume concise and easy to read.

Related: How To Write English Teacher Resume (With Tips and Example)

5. Prepare a reference list

A reference is a person who can vouch for you and talk about your work ethic and your skills. It's a good idea to have at least a few people you can contact in case a potential employer wants references. You can ask former supervisors, coworkers, mentors, or academic advisors. However, you shouldn't reveal these people's contact information unless they consent to becoming a reference. It's also good practice to inform them when you believe they might be receiving a call to provide a reference.

Read More: How to Write a Resume Reference List (With Examples)

6. Review your resume

Before you submit your resume, review and edit it carefully. Proofread for any typing, spelling, or grammatical errors. This is especially important if you're applying for a role as an English teacher or a related subject.

Teacher resume example

Here's an example of a strong resume for a teacher:

[Your first and last name]
[Your city and province or territory]
[Your phone number]
[Your e-mail address]

Objective

To gain a position as an English teacher that can help students accomplish their dreams, improve their performance, and reach their academic potential.

Experience

English Teacher
Degrassi High School
Toronto, Ontario

August 2019 to June 2020

• Planned lessons that aligned with the province's standards and incorporated many different English teaching methods

• Coordinated student activities and field trips to cultural institutions to promote a better learning experience

• Assigned homework to help students understand the course material

• Informed parents about the progress of students

English Teacher
St. Jude's High School
Vancouver, British Columbia

July 2017 to June 2019

• Taught students grammar, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, and sentence structure

• Prepared coursework and tests designed to grow students' comprehension and critical thinking skills

• Attended faculty meetings to help improve the course curriculum

• Worked closely with others to plan and coordinate coursework

• Trained three new teachers

English Teacher

James Clark High School
Vancouver, British Columbia
July 2010 to July 2016

• Tracked student progress throughout the year

• Created detailed lesson plans

• Maintained a positive learning environment

• Encouraged growth and communication with students

Education

University of Toronto
Bachelor of English
September 2010 to June 2014

Lakehead University Teacher's College, Thunder Bay
Bachelor of education (B.Ed)
September 2014 to June 2015

Skills

• Critical thinking

• Communication

• Patience

• Self-motivation

• Organization

• Time management

• Student-centered learning

• Flexibility

Now that we've discuss the most common types of resumes, the parts of a typical resume, and provide a teacher resume sample, you'll be better prepared to write your own.

The model shown is for illustration purposes only, and may require additional formatting to meet accepted standards.

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organizations mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.

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