How to Write a Great Resume for a Teaching Job

So, you want to be a teacher? Awesome! But first, you need a resume. It's like your first impression, but on paper. This guide will show you how to write a resume for a teaching job that really stands out.

Why Your Teaching Resume Matters

Think of your resume as your personal advertisement. It tells schools why you are the perfect fit. A great resume can:

• Show off your skills: List your education and what you're good at.
• Prove your experience: Give examples of what you've done and how you helped students.
• Beat the competition: Make you look better than other teachers applying.
• Get you an interview: Your chance to shine even brighter!

Getting a teaching job is tough. A strong resume isn't just helpful; it's a must-have. Don't skip this step!

What Makes a Good Teaching Resume?

Before we dive in, let's see what goes into a winning resume:

1. Contact Info: Name, phone, email, maybe a LinkedIn page.
2. Summary/Objective: A quick peek at your skills and goals.
3. Education: Your degrees, certifications, the works.
4. Teaching Experience: Where you taught, what you did, and how well you did it.
5. Skills: What you're good at – managing a classroom, making lesson plans, etc.
6. Awards: Did you win anything cool? List it here!
7. Training: Classes, workshops, anything that made you a better teacher.
8. Volunteer (Optional): Helping kids outside of school? Great!

Let's Write That Resume! Step-by-Step

Ready to get started? I'll walk you through each part. Remember, tweak your resume for each teaching job you apply for. Highlight what they're looking for.

1. Contact Information: Easy Peasy

Keep it simple:

• Full Name: Use the same name everywhere.
• Phone Number: One you actually answer!
• Email Address: Something professional. (not partyanimal@...)
• LinkedIn (Optional): If it looks good.

Example:

Jane Doe
(555) 123-4567
[email protected]
linkedin.com/in/janedoe

2. Summary or Objective: Hook Them In!

This is your elevator pitch. Short and sweet.

• Summary: If you have years of experience. Show off your best stuff.
• Objective: If you're new or changing careers. Say what you want to do.

Example (Summary):

Experienced elementary school teacher with 8+ years making learning fun! Helped kids improve their test scores and feel good about school.

Example (Objective):

New teacher ready to make a difference! Want to use my energy and skills to help students at [School Name] love learning.

3. Education: Show Your Smart Side

List your degrees, certifications, and important classes.

• Degree Name: (Like "Bachelor of Arts in Education")
• Major: (Like "Elementary Education")
• University Name:
• Graduation Date:
• GPA (Optional): If it's good.
• Relevant Classes: Anything that helps you teach.
• Certifications: Your teaching license! Include the state and when it expires.

Example:

Bachelor of Arts in Education
Major: Elementary Education
University of California, Los Angeles
Graduated: June 2020
GPA: 3.8

California Teaching Credential
Elementary Education, Valid until June 2025

4. Teaching Experience: The Heart of Your Resume

This is the most important part. Talk about what you did at each school, and what you achieved. Use strong action words!

For each job:

• School Name:
• City, State:
• Job Title: (Like "Elementary School Teacher")
• Dates of Employment:
• Responsibilities and Achievements: Use bullet points. Show how you made a difference!

Example:

Hillside Elementary School, Los Angeles, CA
Elementary School Teacher, August 2020 – Present

• Made fun lesson plans for 3rd graders.
• Helped students raise their math scores by 15%.
• Made my classroom a happy place where everyone felt welcome.
• Used computers to make learning more exciting.
• Worked with parents to help students succeed.

Again, tweak this section for each teaching job. What do they need? Show them you have it!

5. Skills: What Are You Good At?

List your skills. Both the technical stuff and the people skills.

Examples of Hard Skills:

• Making lesson plans
• Managing a classroom
• Teaching different types of learners
• Grading papers and tests
• Using computers in the classroom
• Teaching reading
• Teaching math

Examples of Soft Skills:

• Talking to people
• Working with others
• Solving problems
• Being creative
• Being patient
• Understanding others
• Leading a group
• Being organized
• Managing your time

Example:

Skills: Making lesson plans, managing a classroom, teaching different types of learners, grading papers, using computers, talking to people, working with others, solving problems, being patient.

6. Awards and Recognition (Optional): Brag a Little!

Won an award? List it! Shows you're a great teacher.

Example:

Teacher of the Year, Hillside Elementary School, 2022
Excellence in Teaching Award, Los Angeles Unified School District, 2021

7. Professional Development (Optional): Always Learning!

List any classes or workshops you've taken. Shows you're always trying to get better.

Example:

Attended the National Education Association (NEA) Annual Conference, July 2023
Completed a workshop on Teaching Different Types of Learners, June 2022

8. Volunteer Experience (Optional): Showing You Care

Volunteer with kids? List it! Shows you're dedicated.

Example:

Volunteer Tutor, Boys & Girls Club, 2018 – Present

Resume Tips for Teaching Jobs: Make It Awesome!

A few extra tips to make your resume shine:

• Tailor it: Change it for each job!
• Use Keywords: Use words from the job description.
• Show Results: Use numbers to show how you helped students.
• Use Action Words: Start your bullet points with words like "Created," "Improved," "Managed."
• Proofread: Check for mistakes!
• Use a Good Font: Easy to read and looks professional.
• Keep It Short: One or two pages is best.
• Get Feedback: Ask someone to read it over.

Common Resume Mistakes: Don't Do These!

Here's what not to do:

• Generic Resume: Sending the same resume to everyone.
• No Results: Not showing how you helped students.
• Mistakes: Typos and bad grammar.
• Irrelevant Info: Stuff that doesn't matter for teaching.
• Ugly Formatting: Hard to read.
• Too Long: More than two pages.
• No Keywords: Ignoring the job description.

Extra Keywords for Visibility

Here are some extra keywords to use (but don't overdo it!):

• Teacher Resume Examples
• New Teacher Resume
• Substitute Teacher Resume
• Special Education Teacher Resume
• High School Teacher Resume
• Elementary School Teacher Resume

The End: Go Get That Job!

How to write a resume for a teaching job isn't rocket science. Just take your time, follow these steps, and show them what makes you a great teacher! Good luck!