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The higher education job market is competitive. Put your best foot forward and increase your chances of landing your next job in academe with the useful tips, advice, and job search strategies below.

Cover Letter Advice

A well-written cover letter can be equally important as an impressive resume or CV. A cover letter should accompany each resume you send and be tailored distinctly for the position to which you are applying. You should describe your abilities, skills, and experience, and illustrate them with concrete examples to show how your knowledge and expertise is relevant to the position and will benefit the employer. Let your cover letter allow the hiring manager to see a glimpse of your personality by telling a brief story of your professional experiences that can't be seen through a list of achievements on a resume. Review the samples of cover letters and relevant articles for more information.

  • The Do’s of Writing a Cover Letter
  • Everything That You Say/Write Will Be Used Against You
  • Is Your Cover Letter Persuasive?
  • Cover Letters, A New Technique

Sample Cover Letters

  • Academic Advisor Position
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Resume/CV Advice

A resume is more than just a list of dates, job titles, and duties. It is your time to impress. An effective resume is a clear and concise description of your professional skills, experience, and accomplishments. It summarizes your qualifications to sell your experience and potential to an employer. It should intrigue the reader to want to learn more about your personality, skills, and potential fit within their company.

A curriculum vitae (CV) is similar to a resume in that it includes your education, skills, and experience, but it also highlights research, teaching experience, publications, grants, professional associations, licenses, and/or other awards. The CV is a more detailed synopsis, commonly used in academia by faculty.

  • The Next Step Resume
  • Do's and Don'ts of Submitting Through an Applicant Tracking System
  • Why You Must Have Three Resumes
  • The Purpose and Language of Resumes
  • Crafting Your First Resume
  • Are You a Reacher or a Settler?
  • A Resume for Employers or a Record for You?
  • Toning It Down: How and When Should You Consider Understating Your Credentials?
  • Academe's Resume 2.0 in the Era of Web 2.0
  • Social Media in Higher Education Careers

Sample Resumes

  • Traditional Style
  • Professional Style
  • Modern Style

Sample CVs:

  • Sciences Position
  • Fine Arts Position
  • Fine Arts (Professional)
  • Fine Arts (Modern)

Interviewing and Job Search Strategies

In addition to writing an effective cover letter and resume, there are many other "softer" yet equally important skills that are necessary to include in your job search toolkit. See below for information and advice on preparing for and succeeding in interviews, networking, effectively using social media, marketing yourself, using references, finding the right job or institutional "fit," and other key points for building an effective strategy for job search success.

Learn More About Job Search Strategies

  • Career Fitness: The Social Job Application
  • How to Find a Job: Five Foundations for Success
  • Limber up for that Search
  • Academic Job Search: A Playbook for the Internal Candidate
  • Organize Your Job Search Like an Air Traffic Controller
  • Stop Applying Everywhere, Start Gathering Information
  • When is the Best Time for Open Positions in Higher Ed?
  • How to Appropriately Use Your Network During Your Job Search
  • Search Early, Search Often
  • 10 Best Practices for a Higher Education Job Search
  • You Can't Get a Job By Applying For It
  • Six Ways to Do Your Homework on a Potential Employer
  • Talented Person...Will Work for a Job
  • Finding Your Niche Market
  • Internet Your Way to a New Job
  • Your References: An Important Part of the Job Search Process

Learn More About Interviewing

  • Is It Better to Interview First or Last?
  • How to Tell Your Story Without a Self-Evaluation
  • Eight Interview Mistakes You Don’t Know You’re Making
  • Seven Ways to Approach Panel Interviews
  • Bridging Gaps in Your Qualifications
  • How to "Draft" your Message for a Second Interview
  • Etiquette for a Successful Interview

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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.

Teacher Cover Letter Examples

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.

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Free Teacher Resume Template and Tips, Plus 21 Teacher Resume Examples

Make a great first impression! Continue Reading

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Education Cover Letter Examples

Writing a cover letter for a job in the education field can be a challenging task. There are many elements that need to be included in a cover letter in order to make it stand out from the competition. For those seeking a career in the education field, having the perfect cover letter can be the difference between a job offer and never hearing from the employer. This blog post provides helpful cover letter examples and a comprehensive writing guide for creating an education cover letter that stands out.

Cover Letter Samples by Job-Title

  • Academic Coach
  • After School Counselor
  • Community Assistant
  • Educational Aide
  • Elementary School Counselor
  • High School Athletic Director
  • Instructional Aide
  • Kindergarten Assistant
  • Learning Specialist
  • Literature Teacher
  • Math Teacher
  • Paraeducator
  • Parent Educator
  • Student Mentor
  • Academic Coordinator
  • Academic Counselor
  • Admission Counselor
  • Admissions Advisor
  • Admissions Officer
  • Admissions Representative
  • Clinical Educator
  • College Assistant
  • College Instructor
  • Hall Director
  • Instructional Assistant
  • Student Lab Assistant
  • Vocational Counselor
  • Dean Of Students
  • Education Specialist
  • Educational Consultant
  • Educational Specialist
  • Elementary School Principal
  • High School Principal
  • Instructional Facilitator
  • Paraprofessional
  • School Administrator
  • School Clerk
  • School Coordinator
  • School Principal
  • Student Aide
  • Superintendent
  • Art Educator
  • Academic Tutor
  • Literacy Coach
  • Admission Advisor
  • Admission Clerk
  • Admission Representative
  • Admissions Assistant
  • Admissions Recruiter
  • After School Director
  • After School Program Coordinator
  • After School Program Director
  • Assistant Dean
  • Assistant Director Of Admissions
  • Assistant Superintendent
  • Associate Dean
  • Attendance Clerk
  • Attendance Secretary
  • Career Consultant
  • Career Services Advisor
  • Career Specialist
  • CPR Instructor
  • Director Of Career Services
  • Early Intervention Specialist
  • Education Administrative Assistant
  • Education Administrator
  • Elementary Principal
  • GED Instructor
  • Head Of School
  • Instructional Specialist
  • Learning Consultant
  • Literacy Specialist
  • Literacy Teacher
  • Middle School Counselor
  • Middle School Principal
  • Online Instructor
  • Peer Mentor
  • Professional Counselor
  • Program Leader
  • Residence Hall Director
  • Residential Assistant
  • School Custodian
  • School Director
  • School Guidance Counselor
  • School Resource Officer
  • School Superintendent
  • Student Counselor
  • Student Office Assistant
  • Student Research Assistant
  • Study Abroad Advisor
  • Study Coordinator
  • Technical Instructor
  • Test Proctor
  • University Registrar

Why a Education professional needs a cover letter

A cover letter is an important part of your job search when you are looking for a position in the education field. It helps to introduce you to potential employers, highlight your qualifications and skills, and set yourself apart from other job applicants. It is also a great way to express your enthusiasm and interest in a particular job.

A cover letter is the first thing potential employers will read and see, so it is important to make a good impression. Your cover letter should be well written and professional, as it will represent you. It should be tailored towards the position you are applying for and should include specific information about why you are the best candidate for the job.

Your cover letter should provide an overview of your professional qualifications and experiences. It should also highlight the skills and qualifications you have that are most relevant to the job. It should also show the potential employer that you have done your research and understand what the position entails. Additionally, you should include specific examples of how you have used your skills and qualifications to benefit your previous employers and educational institutions.

Finally, your cover letter should end with a strong conclusion that expresses your enthusiasm and interest. It should also provide your contact information and make it clear that you are available for an interview.

Cover letters are a great way to make a strong first impression and show potential employers why you would be an ideal candidate for the job. Making sure yours is well written, professional, and tailored to the position you are applying for will greatly improve your chances of getting the job.

Writing the Perfect Education Cover Letter

Writing an effective cover letter is essential when applying for a job in education. It’s the first impression you make on the hiring manager and, if done correctly, can be what sets you apart from the competition.

When writing your education cover letter, start by introducing yourself and providing a brief overview of your background. Make sure to mention any relevant experience or qualifications you have that make you a great candidate. Next, explain why you’re interested in the position and how your experience has prepared you for the job. Highlight your achievements, such as awards or certifications, and any special training or education- related activities in which you have participated.

Be sure to include specific examples of how you can contribute to the school. If you’re applying for a teaching position, for example, you can mention your experience working with children of different backgrounds or ages. Demonstrating your ability to be flexible will give the hiring manager an idea of your adaptability.

End your education cover letter by expressing your enthusiasm for the position and expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. Then, provide your contact information so that the hiring manager can easily get in touch with you.

Overall, the goal of the education cover letter is to show that you’re the right fit for the job. Focus on the experiences and skills you can bring to the school, and make sure to include any relevant details that make you stand out from other candidates. With a little effort and thoughtfulness, writing the perfect education cover letter is within reach.

What should be included in a Education cover letter

A cover letter for a job in the field of Education should include the following:

  • An introduction that explains why you are interested in the position and why you feel you’re a great fit for it.
  • A description of your relevant experience, skills, and qualifications.
  • Examples of how you have already contributed to the education sector, if you have any.
  • A brief overview of the reasons why you are passionate and excited about the position.
  • A closing that expresses your enthusiasm for the opportunity and your willingness to further discuss the role.
  • Your contact information, including your phone number and email address.

How to format a Education cover letter

Introduction.

Writing a cover letter for an Education position can be both daunting and exciting. It is important to showcase your qualifications and professional experience in a way that is both compelling and concise. In this guide, we will provide you with a few examples of how to format an Education cover letter.

Explain Your Professional Experience

When explaining your professional experience, you should start by discussing the qualifications that make you a great candidate for the Education position. Include specific examples of your past experience such as the number of students you have tutored or the knowledge you have gained from attending seminars or conferences. You should also include a brief overview of your accomplishments such as awards or recognition. Finally, explain how your skills and experience can be utilized for the benefit of the school or organization you are applying for.

Highlight Your Qualifications

When highlighting your qualifications, you should emphasize the skills you possess that make you a great fit for the Education position. Speak to how your knowledge and experience can be used to help the school or organization achieve its goals. Make sure to include details such as your ability to manage a classroom, lead a team, or mentor a student.

Make a Good Impression

When making a good impression, you should focus on making sure your cover letter is well written and organized. Make sure to include a professional header at the top of the page and a polite salutation. Additionally, you should avoid making any typos or grammatical errors. Read through your cover letter several times to make sure it is free of any errors.

When you are finished, make sure to thank the reader for taking the time to review your cover letter. Make sure to sign off with a professional closing and your contact information. By following these examples, you can create a strong Education cover letter that will make a great impression on the hiring committee.

Common mistakes to avoid when creating a Education cover letter

  • Not Customizing Your Cover Letter to the Role: Every cover letter should be tailored to the specific school and position for which you are applying. Demonstrate your research skills by researching the school and position and including details in your letter.
  • Not Including Skills and Qualifications: Your cover letter should highlight the skills, certifications, and qualifications that make you the ideal candidate for the job. Make sure to emphasize the skills and qualifications that are most relevant to the job.
  • Not Showcasing Your Personality: Your cover letter should be a reflection of your personality and make a good impression on the hiring manager. Make sure to showcase your enthusiasm, drive, and passion for the job by displaying these traits in your writing.
  • Relying Exclusively on Template Letters: While template cover letters can provide a good starting point, make sure to customize the letter to fit the specific job for which you are applying. Don’t simply copy and paste a template letter.
  • Making Grammatical Errors: Always double- check your cover letter for any typos or grammatical errors. These mistakes can cost you the job, so make sure your cover letter is as error- free as possible.
  • Including Unnecessary or Irrelevant Information: Your cover letter should be concise and focused. Don’t include information that is not relevant to the job. Stick to the important details and don’t include any unnecessary information.
  • Not Following Directions: Many schools will provide instructions on how to submit your application materials, such as the format in which your cover letter should be written. Make sure to follow these directions exactly.
  • Not Proofreading Your Cover Letter: Always proofread your cover letter and look for any typos or errors. Have a family member or friend review your letter for you.

Benefits of submitting a Education cover letter

Submitting a cover letter along with your education resume can be beneficial for a variety of reasons. It provides a great opportunity for you to introduce yourself to potential employers and demonstrate your knowledge of the position and organization. Here are some of the key benefits of submitting a Education cover letter:

  • Demonstrate Your Knowledge: A cover letter offers a great opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of the position and the organization. This can help you stand out from other applicants by providing evidence that you have done your research and have a clear understanding of the job requirements.
  • Introduce Yourself: The cover letter allows you to introduce yourself and provide employers with more information than what is included in your resume. This is a chance to highlight your specific experience, skills, and qualifications that are relevant to the position.
  • Share Your Passion: A cover letter also offers a chance to explain why you are passionate about the position and the organization. This can help you show employers that you are enthusiastic and motivated to take on the job.
  • Establish Your Professionalism: Cover letters demonstrate your professionalism and commitment to the job. This is a chance to showcase your communication and writing skills, as well as demonstrate your attention to detail.
  • Make a Good Impression: Finally, a cover letter provides you with the opportunity to make a good impression on potential employers. It is an opportunity to emphasize why you are the ideal candidate for the job and to explain why you are the right person for the position.

Writing an effective cover letter for a job in education requires a focused approach. A well- executed cover letter should address the job’s requirements, demonstrate how you are a good fit for the job, and highlight your qualifications and accomplishments. To stand out from other applicants and create a lasting impression, make sure to thoroughly review the job description and tailor your letter accordingly. As you craft your letter, be sure to utilize strong and confident language and provide examples of your aptitude and experience. By following the tips and examples in this writing guide, you can write an effective and compelling cover letter for a job in education.

Examples

Education Cover Letter

Cover letter maker.

cover letter for education jobs

Crafting a compelling cover letter for an education position can set you apart in the competitive world of academia. Our guide on ‘Education Cover Letter Examples ‘ delves deep into the nuances of penning the perfect introduction to your professional journey. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or just starting out, our curated examples, insightful writing tips, and step-by-step instructions will equip you to make a lasting impression on potential employers and institutions.

What is Education Cover Letter?

An education cover letter is a formal letter that accompanies a resume or CV when applying for a position in the field of education. Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, counselor, or any other professional in the education sector, this letter serves as a personalized introduction, highlighting your qualifications, experiences, and passion for education. It’s an opportunity to showcase how your skills align with the specific needs and values of the institution or organization to which you are applying. The education cover letter, when crafted effectively, can be instrumental in making a strong first impression and advancing to the next stages of the hiring process.

What is the Best Example of Education Cover Letter?

The best example of an education cover letter will vary based on the specific position and individual’s experiences. However, here is a  great cover letter  example for an education that can be tailored to fit individual needs:

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State ZIP Code] [Your Email Address] [Your Phone Number] [Date]

[Hiring Manager’s Name] [School or Institution’s Name] [Address] [City, State ZIP Code]

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

I am writing to express my keen interest in the [specific position, e.g., “Elementary School Teacher”] position at [School or Institution’s Name], as advertised on [where you found the job posting, e.g., “your school’s careers page”]. With my [specific qualification, e.g., “Master’s degree in Elementary Education”] and [number of years of experience, e.g., “five years of teaching experience”], I am confident in my ability to contribute effectively to [School or Institution’s Name].

During my tenure at [Previous School/Institution], I [specific achievement or responsibility, e.g., “developed and implemented a curriculum that raised student reading levels by an average of 15%”]. My passion for [specific aspect of the job, e.g., “nurturing young minds and fostering a love for literature”] has driven me to constantly seek out innovative teaching methods that cater to diverse student needs.

What excites me most about the opportunity at [School or Institution’s Name] is [specific detail about the school or job posting, e.g., “your commitment to inclusive education and the integration of technology in the classroom”]. I am eager to bring my expertise in [specific skill or area, e.g., “blended learning environments”] to support this vision.

I am confident that my dedication, coupled with my experience, aligns well with the values and aspirations of [School or Institution’s Name]. I have attached my resume for your consideration and would welcome the opportunity to discuss how I can be a valuable asset to your team.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to the success of [School or Institution’s Name] and am available at your earliest convenience for an interview.

Warm regards,

[Your Name]

Education Cover Letter

Size: 30 KB

Free Cover Letters for Education Field Jobs

Education cover letter format.

This format offers a structured guideline for drafting a professional education cover letter. From contact details to the sign-off, it ensures every essential detail is captured, tailoring content to showcase qualifications, experiences, and passion for the educational role being pursued.

  • City, State, Zip Code
  • Email Address
  • Phone Number
  • Hiring Manager’s Name (if known)
  • School/Institution’s Name
  • E.g., “Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],”
  • E.g., “I am writing to express my interest in the [specific position] at [School’s Name]. With a [specific degree] from [University/College Name] and [X years] of experience, I believe I would be a valuable addition to your team.”
  • E.g., “During my tenure at [Previous School’s Name], I spearheaded a program that…”
  • E.g., “I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to bring my unique skill set to [School’s Name]. I look forward to potentially discussing how I can contribute to your esteemed team.”
  • E.g., “Warm regards,”
  • [Space for Handwritten Signature if Printed]
  • E.g., “Enclosures: Resume, Teaching Certificate”

Simple Education Cover Letter

Simple Cover letter is a concise, straightforward approach to application letters in the educational field. It emphasizes brevity while ensuring key points—such as qualifications, intent, and relevant experiences—are communicated effectively. Ideal for those seeking a direct, no-frills method to express interest in a teaching or administrative position.

[Your Name] [Address] [City, State, Zip Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Date]

[Hiring Manager’s Name] [School’s Name] [Address] [City, State, Zip Code]

I am writing to apply for the [specific position] at [School’s Name]. I recently graduated from [University/College Name] with a degree in [Your Degree]. My passion for [specific aspect of education, e.g., “innovative teaching methods”] and my dedication to fostering student growth make me a strong candidate for this position.

At [University/College Name], I had the opportunity to [specific experience or achievement, e.g., “lead a student group focused on literacy outreach”], which has prepared me well for the challenges and rewards of teaching.

I would be honored to contribute to [School’s Name]’s reputation for excellence in education. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to further discuss my potential contribution to your team.

Best, [Your Name]

Simple Education Cover Letter

Size: 26 KB

Elementary School Position Cover Letter

Tailored for educators targeting elementary-level positions, this cover letter emphasizes skills essential for young learners.

With over five years dedicated to nurturing elementary students’ academic and personal growth, I am keenly interested in the teaching position at [School’s Name]. My background in hands-on learning techniques, combined with my passion for making subjects engaging and relatable, has consistently garnered positive feedback from both parents and students.

During my tenure at [Previous School’s Name], I introduced project-based learning modules in science and history, seeing an average 10% improvement in comprehension and participation. I believe a child’s elementary years are the foundation of their academic journey, and my methods aim to make that foundation as solid and joyous as possible.

I’m excited about the opportunity to bring my unique teaching style to [School’s Name] and help shape the futures of our young learners.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to potentially joining your esteemed faculty.

Warm regards, [Your Name]

Elementary School Position Cover Letter

Size: 27 KB

Cover Letter Example for New Teacher

Designed for recent graduates, this teacher cover letter introduces a new teacher’s enthusiasm and fresh learning.

I recently graduated with honors from [University Name] and am eager to begin my teaching career at [School’s Name]. While I may be a new entrant to the professional teaching world, my student-teaching experience at [Practicum School Name] allowed me to harness my fresh academic knowledge in real-world classroom settings.

During my practicum, I had the chance to work with diverse student populations and employed differentiated instruction techniques that were met with enthusiasm and success. The recentness of my own education, combined with my hands-on teaching experiences, equips me with modern methodologies and the latest pedagogical insights.

I am keen to bring my youthful energy, commitment, and recent training to [School’s Name], contributing to our shared goal of providing students with top-notch education.

Thank you for considering my application.

Cover Letter Example for New Teacher

Education Cover Letter for Experienced

For seasoned educators, this letter underscores years of experience and advanced pedagogical skills.

With over a decade dedicated to the world of education and a passion that burns as brightly as my first day in the classroom, I am excited to apply for the teaching position at [School’s Name]. My extensive experience spans various age groups and subjects, but the core of my teaching philosophy remains consistent: fostering an environment where every student feels seen, heard, and inspired.

At [Previous School’s Name], I took the lead on a project integrating technology into lesson plans, resulting in a 15% increase in student engagement and participation. Furthermore, my work mentoring new teachers has been incredibly rewarding, ensuring that they’re equipped with both the knowledge and confidence to succeed.

I’m eager to bring my vast experiences, innovative strategies, and unwavering dedication to [School’s Name], contributing to both student growth and the school’s legacy of excellence.

I appreciate your time and consideration.

Warmly, [Your Name]

Education Cover Letter for Experienced

Education Cover Letter for Administration Position

Aimed at administrative roles, this letter highlights leadership, organizational skills, and educational vision.

Having spearheaded administrative projects and led teams for over seven years, I am enthusiastic about the administrative role at [School/Institution’s Name]. My commitment to excellence in education extends beyond the classroom, understanding that a school’s success relies heavily on efficient and visionary leadership.

In my previous role at [Previous School/Institution], I successfully implemented a new scheduling system that reduced conflicts by 25%, ensuring smoother daily operations. My collaborative approach to leadership means I work hand-in-hand with educators, support staff, and parents alike, ensuring all voices are heard and the institution’s objectives are met.

Joining [School/Institution’s Name] is an exciting prospect, and I am confident in my ability to bring effective strategies and a positive attitude to the table.

Regards, [Your Name]

Education Cover Letter for Administration Position

Size: 28 KB

Education Cover Letter for No Experience

This education cover letter with no experience is perfect for candidates beginning in education, emphasizing transferable skills and passion for teaching.

Transitioning into the realm of education has been a long-held aspiration, driven by a profound respect for the transformative power of learning. Though I am stepping into education without direct teaching experience, my background in [related field, e.g., “communication”] has honed skills that are directly transferable to the classroom.

At my previous position at [Previous Job Name], I facilitated workshops and trained new employees, finding that my knack for breaking down complex concepts and engaging diverse groups flourished. I am confident that these skills, combined with my enthusiasm to make a positive impact on students at [School’s Name], will enable me to rise to the challenge.

I am eager to leverage my professional experiences and innate passion for education to contribute meaningfully to your esteemed institution.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Education Cover Letter for No Experience

Education Cover Letter for High School Teacher

Specifically for high school educators, focusing on subject expertise and teen engagement techniques. See High School Student Cover Letter Examples .

The intricate dance of engaging, educating, and mentoring high school students has been my calling for over eight years. My expertise in [Subject, e.g., “Mathematics”] and my passion for bringing real-world applications of the subject to the classroom make me an ideal candidate for the teaching position at [School’s Name].

In my tenure at [Previous School’s Name], I curated a project-based learning curriculum, seeing not only improved grades but also a heightened interest in the practicalities of [Subject]. I pride myself on creating a classroom environment where questions are encouraged, fostering both curiosity and confidence.

I am looking forward to the possibility of bringing my seasoned teaching methods and love for [Subject] to the students at [School’s Name].

Best regards, [Your Name]

Education Cover Letter for High School Teacher

Education Cover Letter for Teaching Position

A versatile letter showcasing an educator’s dedication, skills, and overarching teaching philosophy.

In every classroom lies a world of potential, and throughout my ten years of teaching, my mission has been to tap into and nurture that potential. My varied experience, which spans both urban and suburban schools, has granted me unique insights into adapting teaching styles to suit diverse student bodies. I am eager to contribute this expertise to [School’s Name].

During my time at [Previous School’s Name], I championed an initiative focusing on collaborative learning, which not only increased student engagement but also fostered teamwork and communication skills. My teaching philosophy centers on creating a balanced environment where structure meets creativity, allowing students to thrive academically and personally.

Joining the team at [School’s Name] presents an exciting opportunity, and I am enthusiastic about potentially contributing to your community of educators and learners.

Thank you for your consideration.

Education Cover Letter for Teaching Position

Professional Cover Letter for Education Job

A polished job cover letter reflecting an educator’s professionalism, achievements, and commitment to education.

Over the past twelve years, my commitment to academic excellence and professional growth has been unwavering. My dedication to fostering a positive learning environment, coupled with my track record of innovative curriculum development, positions me as an ideal candidate for the role at [School’s Name].

While at [Previous School’s Name], I led a team to integrate technology in the classroom, resulting in a 20% increase in student participation and understanding. These accomplishments, paired with my ongoing endeavors for professional development, underline my drive to continually push educational boundaries.

I am keen to bring this blend of experience, innovation, and passion to [School’s Name], contributing to our shared vision of holistic education.

Professional Cover Letter for Education Job

Education Cover Letter for First Year

Targeted at educators in their first year, underscoring their recent training and fresh insights.

As I embark on my inaugural year of professional teaching, I am filled with enthusiasm, fresh pedagogical knowledge, and an unyielding drive to make a tangible impact on students at [School’s Name]. My recent training at [University Name], coupled with my student-teaching stint at [Practicum School Name], has granted me a solid foundation to commence this journey.

During my student-teaching experience, I managed to integrate multimedia resources into traditional lesson plans, witnessing firsthand the heightened engagement and understanding from students. My adaptability, recent training, and fresh perspective position me uniquely to introduce contemporary methods to your curriculum.

I am excited about the opportunity to begin my teaching career at [School’s Name], helping shape young minds and fostering a lifelong love for learning.

Education Cover Letter for First Year

Generic Education Cover Letter

A versatile generic cover letter  example suitable for various education roles, highlighting generic teaching skills

The world of education is a constantly evolving tapestry, and my passion lies in weaving my own unique thread into this dynamic setting. With experience across various educational roles and settings, I bring with me a rich understanding of best practices, collaborative techniques, and a genuine love for teaching.

My time at [Previous Institution’s Name] taught me the importance of adaptability, allowing me to cater to diverse learning needs while ensuring a consistent level of academic excellence. My commitment to [School’s Name]’s vision and values drives me to seek this opportunity to be a part of your esteemed institution.

Best wishes,

Generic Education Cover Letter

Education Cover Letter for Music Teacher

Tailored for music educators, it emphasizes musical proficiency and passion for fostering talent.

Music has the transcendent power to touch souls, and as an educator with over seven years of experience, I am dedicated to unlocking this power within every student. My diverse background in both classical and contemporary music, combined with a track record of producing award-winning school performances, positions me as an ideal candidate for the Music Teacher role at [School’s Name].

At [Previous School’s Name], I implemented an inclusive choir program, witnessing firsthand the joy and confidence it brought to participants. I am eager to bring similar initiatives and my passion for music education to [School’s Name].

With musical regards,

Education Cover Letter for Music Teacher

Education Cover Letter for Instructional Coach

For those guiding educators, focusing on mentoring skills and curriculum enhancement strategies.

Teaching extends beyond the classroom, and as an Instructional Coach with over six years of experience, my passion lies in elevating educators to reach their fullest potential. My expertise in curriculum design, coupled with my mentoring skills, can greatly benefit the teaching staff at [School’s Name].

During my tenure at [Previous Institution’s Name], I facilitated numerous workshops on diverse teaching methodologies, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback and tangible improvements in classroom delivery. Joining [School’s Name] would provide me the platform to further my mission of enhancing teaching standards and ultimately benefiting the students.

Best regards,

Education Cover Letter for Instructional Coach

Size: 25 KB

Education Cover Letter for Administrative Assistant

An administrative assistant cover letter targeted at administrative support roles in education, emphasizing organizational and coordination skills.

Behind every successful educational institution is a team of efficient administrators, and I have proudly been a part of such teams for over five years. My attention to detail, organizational acumen, and understanding of school operations make me an ideal candidate for the Administrative Assistant position at [School’s Name].

In my previous role at [Previous School’s Name], I streamlined communication channels between departments, significantly improving operational efficiency. I am excited about the prospect of bringing my administrative expertise to [School’s Name], ensuring a smooth and efficient environment for both staff and students.

Kind regards,

Education Cover Letter for Administrative Assistant

How to Write Education Cover Letters – Step by Step Guide

  • Understand the Purpose : An education cover letter is your opportunity to introduce yourself to prospective employers in the education sector, highlight your qualifications, and demonstrate your passion for teaching or administration.
  • Job Posting : Review the job advertisement to understand what the school or institution is looking for.
  • School/Institution Details : Research the school’s values, achievements, and culture.
  • Include your contact details: name, address, phone number, and professional email.
  • Add the date.
  • Include the hiring manager’s contact details.
  • Address the hiring manager by name, e.g., “Dear Mr. Smith.” If you can’t find the name, “Dear Hiring Manager” works.
  • Clearly state the position you’re applying for.
  • Briefly mention how you learned about the position.
  • First Paragraph : Introduce your educational background and relevant experience.
  • Second Paragraph : Highlight accomplishments, specific skills, or programs you’ve been part of. Use statistics or concrete examples.
  • Third Paragraph : Show knowledge about the school or institution. Perhaps mention a program they offer that aligns with your skills or an achievement they’ve had that you admire.
  • Express your enthusiasm for the position.
  • Mention your attached resume or any other relevant documents.
  • Use “Sincerely,” “Warm regards,” or “Best,” followed by your name.
  • Check for any grammatical or spelling errors.
  • Ensure the content aligns with the job requirements.
  • If the job posting asks for specific information to be included or a particular format, make sure to follow those guidelines.

Executive Cover Letter

Size: 29 KB

Tips for Writing an Education Cover Letter

  • Be Concise : While detailed, your cover letter should still be succinct. Aim for no more than a page.
  • Use Action Verbs : Words like “implemented,” “achieved,” and “mentored” can make your accomplishments stand out.
  • Personalize Each Letter : Avoid generic letters. Tailor each one to the specific institution and job posting.
  • Show Passion : The education sector values genuine passion for learning and teaching. Let yours shine through.
  • Highlight Relevant Experience : Whether it’s a teaching stint, a curriculum you developed, or an administrative task, make sure it’s relevant.
  • Avoid Repetition : Don’t simply restate your resume. Use the cover letter to provide context and additional details.
  • Use a Professional Tone : Keep the tone formal yet warm. This is the education sector; professionalism is key.
  • Research the Institution : Demonstrating knowledge about the school or institution shows initiative and genuine interest.
  • Ask for Feedback : Before submitting, have a colleague or mentor review your cover letter.
  • Follow Up : If you haven’t heard back after a week or two, it’s okay to send a polite follow-up email.

Remember, your cover letter should complement your resume, not replicate it. It’s your chance to make a strong first impression, so invest the time to make it compelling and reflective of your dedication to education

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Education Cover Letter Example

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Start your Education cover letter by addressing the hiring manager directly, if possible. Then, introduce yourself and state the position you're applying for. For example, "Dear Mr. Smith, I am Jane Doe, a dedicated educator with over 5 years of experience in elementary education, applying for the 5th-grade teacher position at XYZ School." This approach is professional and shows you've done your research. Follow this with a compelling reason why you're interested in the role and the school. For instance, you could mention a unique program the school offers or its mission statement that resonates with your teaching philosophy. This demonstrates your genuine interest and aligns your values with the school's.

The best way for Educations to end a cover letter is by expressing enthusiasm for the opportunity and gratitude for the reader's time. You should also reiterate your interest in the role and your eagerness to contribute to the institution. For example, you might say, "I am excited about the possibility of bringing my unique skills and experiences to your institution and am confident I can make a significant contribution. Thank you for considering my application." Always sign off professionally with "Sincerely" or "Best regards," followed by your full name. This ending leaves a positive impression, showing your respect, enthusiasm, and professionalism.

In a cover letter, Educators should include the following: 1. Personal Information: Start with your name, address, contact number, and email address. 2. Salutation: Address the hiring manager or the person mentioned in the job posting directly. 3. Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself and mention the position you're applying for. 4. Experience and Skills: Highlight your relevant teaching experiences and skills. This could include your teaching philosophy, classroom management strategies, curriculum development, and any special training or certifications you have. 5. Achievements: Mention any significant achievements in your teaching career, such as improvements in student test scores, successful implementation of innovative teaching methods, or recognition and awards you've received. 6. Knowledge about the Institution: Show that you've done your homework about the institution you're applying to. Mention what you admire about the institution and how you can contribute to its mission and goals. 7. Conclusion: Reiterate your interest in the position and express your eagerness to discuss your qualifications further in an interview. 8. Professional Closing: End with a professional closing like "Sincerely" or "Best regards," followed by your name and signature. Remember, the cover letter should not just repeat what's in your resume. It should complement your resume by providing a more personal and detailed explanation of why you're the right fit for the job. Tailor each cover letter to the specific job and institution you're applying to, showing how your skills, experience, and goals align with what they're looking for.

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education cover letter

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Susan Shor

Education cover letter example

Education cover letter example

Cover letter middle part (body)

How to close an education cover letter (conclusion and sign-off).

When hiring managers read education cover letters, they are looking for both your ability to learn and to teach. You can’t be an excellent educator if you're not a lifelong learner. You’re ready to begin your job search and need an outstanding cover letter to do it.

How do you create a document that will land you at the head of the class? First, you need to understand the central message:  An education cover letter that helps you graduate  to the next level of your career is like a great lesson plan, it starts with the big picture and then breaks your message down into manageable chunks.

In this cover letter guide, along with the corresponding education cover letter examples, we’ll cover the following topics to help you design the best cover letter possible:

  • How to choose the best cover letter format and what paragraphs the cover letter should include
  • How to maximize the effect of each cover letter paragraph (header, greeting, intro, body and conclusion)
  • What approach to take when writing your cover letter
  • What mistakes to avoid when writing your education cover letter.

The guide below will analyze the details and give you ideas on how to make the most of this one-page addition to your application. (You can also check out our library of 125+ cover letter examples ).

3.45 million people are employed in the education sector in the UK

Best format for an education cover letter

Before you begin a new school year, you prep by outlining the units you need to teach and the time it will take. When you write a cover letter, you prep by understanding the sections that go into it. Your education cover letter should contain the following 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 call-to-action)

The cover letter complements your resume and allows you to get into more detail. TYou differentiate for your audience, no matter what your role in education is. The same is true of your cover letter. Do a little research into the philosophy of your targeted school or company. Find out all you can about the students, customers and faculty and employees. This extra step will help you choose the best tone and wording to deliver your message.

The comprehensive cover letter guide is an impressive stop for  general advice on writing cover letters, but this text gets deeper into each paragraph and the specifics of writing for an accounting and finance position.

The education cover letter example below gives an overview of how to create your own application:

Dear Mr. Jacobs, 

I was elated to hear that a Classroom Teacher position is seeking candidates at the Hillside School. I have long admired the mission of your school, and personally know many families who have greatly benefited from the outstanding education and guidance your school provides. I am very much hoping for the opportunity to serve your students and families through the implementation of exceptional curriculum and instruction, and a willingness to guide and mentor students on their journey to success. 

I bring forth extensive experience as a lead teacher for early childhood students, where I implemented differentiated instruction in multi-cultural and multi-racial classrooms. My Teaching Philosophy is centered around the idea that students learn best when they are fully engaged through their own curiosities and interests. I would be honored to collaborate with the educators and administration at the Hillside School to provide the most enriching learning experiences possible for students. 

Please let me know if we can further discuss this opportunity in person. Thank you for your consideration. 

Most Sincerely,

Sebastian Wilder

Cover letter header

The header of your cover letter is like the date and agenda you post in your classroom each day. Recruiters know where to look for it to find the information they need to schedule your interview. 

Display your name, email and phone contact information prominently. Add a little flair by using a creative font and perhaps a splash of color. If you work with young students or are an art teacher, you can use a slightly more fun approach to show off your energy and enthusiasm for decorating for the little ones.

If you do get arty, remember that your real goal is to make it easy for hiring managers to contact you, so keep it legible.

Make the grade with the Applicant Tracking System 

In our education resume guide, we explain how to rank high with Applicant Tracking Systems. Take the same approach with your cover letter. Many school districts use a common application system: Applitrack. It is easy to copy your application from one district to the next, but make sure you differentiate your cover letter for each job just as you do your resume. 

ATS software is ubiquitous throughout the human resources world, so the same applies to any job for which you apply online.

The aim of this section: Develop an easy-to-read, eye-catching display for your contact information.

Cover letter greeting

The greeting sets the tone for the remainder of your education cover letter, therefore we recommend beginning with the standard “Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms. Surname.” You will note that our cover letter examples use this greeting. Remember to triple check that you have the spelling correct. Many educators have doctorates, so be sure to check on all titles before you send your letter. There’s no quicker way to lose points (or the interview) than to misspell someone’s name or get their gender or title wrong.

Some schools, especially private or charter schools, may operate more casually. In that case, you can adjust your greeting to “Hi First Name,” but if you have any doubts, it is better to stick to a more formal greeting.

If you cannot get the name of a person, “to whom it may concern” is a fine alternative. We suggest staying away from more casual greetings such as “Dear Math Department,” because it may come off as disrespectful.

The aim of the cover letter greeting: Address the principal, hiring manager or your prospective boss personally and professionally to set the tone for your letter.

Cover letter introduction

You meet hundreds of people in your career so you know that first impressions matter. The introduction of your education cover letter is your first impression. It is here that you reveal the big idea and hint at the lesson plan to follow. 

Here is a broad outline you can use:

  • Take a sentence to introduce yourself and your career.
  • Show off your proudest education achievement (make sure it illustrates a skill you will need in your new position.
  • Tell why you are a great candidate for the job.

Make sure you answer the key question: “Why should I hire you?” in this paragraph. A job application is not the place to be modest. If you can’t explain why you’re a great candidate, the hiring manager definitely won’t think you are either.

The aim of the cover letter intro: Tell the hiring manager why you’re right for the job and wow them with your proudest moment.

Time for your lesson. It is here that you offer the details that support your message and reveal more of your personality. As an educator, your communication style and the language you use are key components of your lesson delivery, so show them off here.

Describe your education pedagogy, how you incorporate the learning styles of your class or audience or your approach to developing training materials. Those soft skills that make you a great communicator and collaborator are necessary in the education field, but don’t neglect harder skills. Technology and data-driven analysis have become increasingly important in education, so illustrate the innovative ways in which you use high tech tools. 

Use bullet points that begin with strong action words to break up the blocks of type and focus recruiters’ eyes on two or three achievements.

The aim of the middle part of your cover letter: Expand upon your message and broaden out the list of skills you highlight.

Great lessons close with a recap of the learning, any questions that a student may have and some next steps to take. The same is true of your education cover letter. 

First, remind the hiring manager why you are an outstanding candidate. Then, show off your passion for your career with a personal note about why you became an educator or what your targeted role will mean to you. This reveals more about whether you will be a good fit for the job and leaves the door open for follow-up questions during your interview.

No cover letter is complete without a call to action, so make sure you politely request an interview. Our cover letter sample offers one suggestion for the wording of this request.

The aim of the close of your cover letter: Create an opportunity for follow-up questions and reiterate why you are an excellent candidate .

Writing psychology: how to convey your work ethic in your cover letter

Telling recruiters that you are hard-working is a cliche, but you are, so how do you show that in your education cover letter?

  • Use anecdotes that illustrate the point. Working on committees, taking on extra roles, creating new curriculum all show you work hard.
  • Highlight your innovations. You’re not sitting back on your laurels, you’re learning, researching and incorporating all that into new and exciting ideas on the job.
  • Show your passion. Education can be a difficult field. Make sure the hiring manager knows you’re energetic and enthusiastic about it.

How to avoid basic mistakes in an education application letter 

  • Spell check, grammar check, proofread! You assess others based partly on these skills, so make sure you get it right.
  • Be careful with your word usage. Being in front of an audience, whether it is public school students or a customer service department you are training, requires care with your language. Make sure you apply that to your cover letter.
  • Keep your stories brief. You have only 300 or so words, so save the long anecdotes for the interview.

Key takeaways for an education cover letter

  • Show off your technology and data prowess as well as your outgoing personality.
  • Describe your educational pedagogy and philosophy clearly.
  • Use strong action words and descriptors to help you sound energetic and enthusiastic.
  • Pick examples that demonstrate what you will add to the faculty or staff.

If you’re looking for additional inspiration for cover letter writing, you can check out our related education cover letter samples:

  • Elementary teacher cover letter example
  • Teacher cover letter example
  • Tutor cover letter example
  • Librarian cover letter example
  • Substitute teacher cover letter example

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Education Cover Letter Samples & Examples That Worked in 2024

Nikoleta Kuhejda — PR & Content Manager

In the dynamic field of education, a well-crafted education cover letter can set you apart. Whether you're an uplifting teacher who shapes young minds, a resilient substitute ensuring seamless education, or an efficient administrator who conducts the orchestra behind the scenes — this guide was made for you.

With our expert tips, inspiring examples, and customizable templates, crafting your ticket to your dream role has never been easier.

Auburn University Graduate Teaching Assistant Cover Letter Example

In this guide, we'll teach you some key steps for writing a cover letter as an education professional. Keep reading and learn how to:

  • Format your education cover letter header & headline
  • Personalize the greeting on your education cover letter
  • Create an eye-catching education cover letter introduction
  • Describe your accomplishments as an education professional
  • End your education cover letter with a strong closing statement
  • Access the best job search resources for education professionals

Still looking for a job? These 100+ resources will tell you everything you need to get hired fast.

Create your cover letter fast with artificial intelligence.

1. format properly your education cover letter header & headline.

A cover letter header and headline are the first essential elements to add to any well-written cover letter .

The header is where you will list all the important identifying information about yourself (the applicant) and the company you are applying to (the employer). This header can be formatted in many different ways according to your style preferences.

Followign the header is the headline , a short title statement that serves two key purposes: to hook the employer’s attention and to accurately preview the main point of the document.

Below we have included more in-depth explanations and examples of these two cover letter elements:

Formatting the header

As mentioned, your header can vary in formatting depending on your personal style. Some applicants will opt for a more centered header, while others will keep it in a neat block of text in the top-left corner.

Regardless of the style you opt for, your header should always include:

  • The name of the company you are applying to (& the department name, when applicable)
  • Your name and professional title
  • Your professional contact information (phone number, email address, LinkedIn, etc.)

Here's an example of a well-formatted education cover letter header

To: Buncombe County School District, Curriculum Department From: Jane Doe , Professional Superintendent & Educator (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | linkedin.com/in/jane-doe

Writing the headline

When writing the headline of your cover letter, consider how journalists and media outlets use headlines to grab the attention of readers. For a headline to be effective, it must be equal parts compelling and honest, offering a clear preview of the most important information to come.

To craft your headline, you should always include keyword related to the position, an eye-catching number or trigger word, a powerful adjective or verb, and a promise.

Here's an example of a well-written education headline

My Biggest Success as an Educator & How It Can Benefit Your District’s Students

Trigger Word/Number : Biggest Success Keyword: Educator, Students Adjective/Verb: Benefit Promise: Your District – this detail tells the employer that you will relate your successes and qualifications directly to the needs of their specific school district and students.

2. Personalize the greeting on your education cover letter

Whenever possible, we always recommend using personalized greeting on your cover letter.

A personalized greeting addresses a specific person or department by name, showing the employer you have thoroughly researched their school or business before applying. Additionally, it highlights that you have a go-getter attitude and excellent attention to detail.

If you have done your due diligence but cannot pinpoint exactly who will read your cover letter, try out one of these alternatives:

To the [Company Name] Team

To the [Company Name] Hiring Manager

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3. Create an eye-catching education cover letter introduction

The headline and greeting of your cover letter work together to initially hook an employer’s attention. While this is a crucial part of any cover letter, you need to follow it up with a captivating introduction that keeps the employer interested.

To achieve this, you should aim to include in your introduction: 

  • A brief overview of your professional history and goals
  • A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this company
  • A mutual acquaintance (when possible)

Here's an example to help demonstrate how to write an education cover letter introduction

To [Employer’s Name],

I am an experienced Educator with over 5 years specializing in Art Therapy and Youth Rehabilitation. After learning about your school’s community support programs, I felt compelled to reach out to your Assistant Director, Mary Smith, to inquire about openings at the school. Ms. Smith reviewed my resume and strongly recommended I apply for this position. 

Not only does this example name a mutual acquaintance but it also highlights an aspect of the school’s programming that the applicant admires — a great start to any cover letter!

4. Effectively describe your accomplishments as an education professional

Following your introduction are the cover letter body paragraphs, where you can offer a more in-depth look at your qualifications and passions. You should aim to include between 2 to 4 body paragraphs that answer these key questions:

  • What excites you about working at this company?
  • What do you hope to learn from working at this company?
  • What accomplishments or qualifications make you stand out as an applicant?
  • What key skills do you possess that are relevant to the position?

Placing special emphasis on your relevant accomplishments is always recommended, as they help to show an employer what real-life improvements you can offer and achieve.

Here's an example of how to describe accomplishments in an education cover letter

  • As an Education Learning Specialist at [Former Employer], I worked directly with English and Language Arts teachers to develop a new reading program that is adjustable to each student’s current reading level. As a result of this program, average student comprehension scores rose by 45% and average end-of-grade language arts testing scores rose by 60%.
  • I successfully implemented a student-centered learning approach that significantly improved academic performance and engagement in the classroom. By incorporating innovative teaching methods and personalized lesson plans, I saw a remarkable 25% increase in student test scores, resulting in several students receiving academic recognition awards.

5. End your education cover letter with a strong closing statement

The final piece of the cover letter puzzle is a strong closing statement that includes:

  • An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
  • An additional sentence stating you will follow up, including how you will contact them or how they can contact you
  • A formal sign-off

Here's an example of an effective closing statement from an education cover letter

As a passionate Education professional, I am eager to get to know your school district, staff, and students better. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss this position and my qualifications with you directly, and am available to meet any weekday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The best way to reach me is at (123) 456-7890.

Yours Truly,

[Applicant Name]

If you have ever wondered how a cover letter differs from a resume, this article will tell you everything about the key differences between the two .

6. Valuable job search resources for education professionals

Venturing into the education sector can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to job searching. Navigate this multifaceted field with more ease using the following online resources:

  • Specialized job boards:  Sites like Education Week , HigherEdJobs , and SchoolSpring cater specifically to education professionals and offer a plethora of job listings from pre-school to university levels.
  • Networking platforms: Holidays aren't the only time for connecting. LinkedIn provides year-round opportunities to network with peers, learn about potential employers, and even discover unadvertised job openings. It's the teachers' lounge of the digital world.
  • Online profile platforms: Indeed , SchoolJobs , and Teachaway let you create a digital profile showcasing your skillset and experiences. You'll also receive alerts for new job postings that align with your credentials. Handy, right?
  • Professional organizations: Groups such as the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) offer great resources, including job boards and insightful articles about the educational field. They might even bring cookies (or just useful knowledge, but that's good too).

Rest assured, your ideal job is out there, waiting for you to teach it a lesson, or two.

Education Cover Letter FAQ

How should i address my education cover letter if i don’t know the recipient's name.

If a job posting doesn't provide a contact name, it's best to use a professional, generic greeting. Options include "Dear Hiring Manager," or "Dear [School Name] Team."

Can I mention my teaching philosophy in the cover letter?

Yes, including a brief mention of your teaching philosophy can be beneficial. However, ensure this remains concise and relevant to the job description and the school's values. 

What if I'm switching from a different career to education?

In cases like this, focus on transferable skills in your cover letter. Make a clear case for why your past experiences are valuable in an educational context. 

How do I highlight extracurricular involvement in my cover letter?

If you've mentored a club, coached a sport, or led other school activities, be sure to include these experiences. It shows your willingness to contribute to the school community beyond classroom hours.

Could my cover letter exceed one page if I have a lot to offer?

While you may have a lot of experiences and talents, it's best to keep your cover letter as concise as possible. Aim to not exceed a single page. Highlight your most pertinent and impressive attributes in relation to the job you're applying for.

Nikoleta Kuhejda — PR & Content Manager

Nikoleta Kuhejda

A journalist by trade, a writer by fate. Nikoleta went from writing for media outlets to exploring the world of content creation with Kickresume and helping people get closer to the job of their dreams. Her insights and career guides have been published by The Female Lead , College Recruiter , and ISIC, among others. When she’s not writing or (enthusiastically) pestering people with questions, you can find her traveling or sipping on a cup of coffee.

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Teacher Cover Letter Example and Writing Tips

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How to Write a Cover Letter for a Teaching Position

Cover letter writing tips for teachers, cover letter example for a teacher, tips for using a cover letter template, more education-related cover letter examples.

Wondering how to get hired as a teacher? An outstanding and personalized cover letter for a teaching position can mean the difference between getting an interview and not getting a response to your application.

Use your cover letter to highlight relevant experience and past achievements. Your priority in this letter is to connect your work history and accomplishments to the job description. You’re not trying to recreate your resume here. Instead, you want to show the employer, at a glance, how you're qualified for the position.

The goal is to introduce yourself and showcase the skills and qualifications that make you stand out from the competition.

Whether you’re fresh out of college or an experienced teacher, these tips and cover letter examples will help you convince the hiring committee that you’re the best candidate for the job. 

Emphasize your achievements.  Include examples of your accomplishments in past jobs as a teacher. For example, if your students earned high state test scores, or if you received a teaching award, mention these successes. 

Describe your experience. While you do not want to copy your resume, it's helpful to include details on your experience. Quantifying them can help—for example, mention how many years you've taught. If you're new to the career, include details on your student-teaching experience.  

Mention any training or certifications.  Many teaching jobs have specific training and certification requirements. Use your cover letter to demonstrate that you have what’s required for the job.

Include related work outside the classroom.  If you have non-teaching work or volunteer experience that involves working with children, you can highlight this in your cover letter as well. You especially might want to do this if you have limited teaching experience.

Customize your cover letter.  Be sure to tailor each cover letter to fit the specific school and job listing. One way to do this is to research the school and mention why you think you’d be a good fit for that specific location. 

Take your time.  Many job seekers treat cover letters as an afterthought, but these letters are so much more than a cover sheet for your application. A boring, slapdash letter won’t help your candidacy, and it could hurt your chances.

Proofread and edit. Quality is also important: a cover letter filled with typos and grammatical errors will not inspire the hiring committee to give you a call. Proofread your letter carefully before you send or upload it.

This is an example of a cover letter for a teacher.  Download the teacher cover letter template  (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online).

The Balance

Cover Letter Example for a Teacher (Text Version)

Alissa McIntire 87 Washington Street Smithfield, CA 08055 555-555-5555 (h) 123-123-1234 (c) alissa.mcintire@email.com

May 17, 2022

Mr. John Doe Smithfield Elementary School Main Street Smithfield, CA 08055

Dear Mr. Doe,

I am interested in applying for an elementary-level teaching position in your school district. As a 2022 graduate of Amplesmith College, I have student teaching experience on the third- fourth-, and sixth-grade level, in both suburban and urban school districts. I believe my teaching experience and passion for community engagement make me an ideal candidate for a teaching position at your school.

I have experience teaching elementary-level students in a variety of settings. I am currently teaching third-grade children at an inner-city charter school. As a former education coordinator at a local museum, I also have experience teaching fourth-grade students in a small suburban school system. Your school emphasizes its unique position as a school that caters to both inner-city and suburban students, so I think my varied experiences would make me an asset to your program.

Your school also strives to engage students in the larger community. I have lots of experience incorporating community service projects into my classrooms. For example, as a student teacher, I led a unit for third-graders on plant life, and we volunteered at a local community garden. I would love to find ways to integrate service learning into my lesson plans.

It is my goal to combine my range of experience with my ability to be a compassionate, enthusiastic, intelligent teacher who will make a positive contribution to your school district and larger community. I would welcome an interview and hope to hear from you at your earliest convenience.

Signature (hard copy letter)

Alissa McIntire

A cover letter example helps you with the layout of your letter and what elements you need to include, such as introductions and body paragraphs.

Along with helping with your layout, cover letter examples can show you what kind of content you should include in your document and what type of language to use. For example, a sample might show you the action words you should utilize in your own cover letter.

Use a cover letter example as a guide to your own letter, but do not simply copy the text provided.

You should tailor your cover letter to fit your own work history and the job for which you are applying.

Review cover letter examples for many different types of education jobs and get templates you can use to write your own letters.

Also review resume examples and resume writing advice for teachers.

Key Takeaways

  • A well-written cover letter will highlight your relevant experience and past achievements, and connect them to the job for which you're applying.
  • It's important to tailor each cover letter you write to fit the specific school and job listing.
  • If you don't have teaching experience, mention volunteering or non-work activities that are related to working with children.
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  • Cover Letter Samples for Teachers
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  • Research Technician Cover Letter Examples
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  • Sample Cover Letter for a School Position
  • Summer Sales Associate Cover Letter Example
  • Write Interview Winning Resumes and Cover Letters

The Writing Center • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Academic Cover Letters

What is this handout about.

The long list of application materials required for many academic teaching jobs can be daunting. This handout will help you tackle one of the most important components: the cover letter or letter of interest. Here you will learn about writing and revising cover letters for academic teaching jobs in the United States of America.

What is an academic cover letter?

An academic cover letter describes your experiences and interest as a candidate for a specific position. It introduces you to the hiring committee and demonstrates how your academic background fits with the description of the position.

What do cover letters for academic teaching jobs typically contain?

At their most basic level, academic cover letters accomplish three things: one, they express your interest in the job; two, they provide a brief synopsis of your research and teaching; and three, they summarize your past experiences and achievements to illustrate your competence for the job. For early-career scholars, cover letters are typically no more than two pages (up to four pages for senior scholars). Occasionally, a third page may make sense for an early-career scholar if the application does not require a separate teaching statement and/or research statement. Digital versions of cover letters often contain hyperlinks to your CV or portfolio page. For some fields, cover letters may also include examples of your work, including music, popular articles, and other multimedia related to your research, service, or teaching available online. Typically, letters appear on departmental or university letterhead and include your signature. Above all, a strong cover letter presents your accomplishments and your familiarity with the institution and with the position.

How should I prepare to write my academic cover letter?

Like all writing, composing a cover letter is a process. The process may be as short as a few hours or as long as several weeks, but at the end the letter should present you as a strong candidate for the job. The following section has tips and questions for thinking through each stage of this writing process. You don’t need to answer all of these questions to write the letter; they are meant to help you brainstorm ideas.

Before you begin writing your cover letter, consider researching the institution, the department, and the student population. Incorporating all three aspects in your letter will help convey your interest in the position.

Get to know the institution. When crafting your cover letter, be aware of the type of institution to which you are applying. Knowing how the institution presents itself can help you tailor your letter and make it more specific.

  • Where is the institution located?
  • Is it on a quarter-system or semester-system?
  • What type of institution is it? Is it an R1? Is it an R2? Is it a liberal arts college? Is it an HBCU? Is it a community college? A private high school?
  • What is the institution’s culture? Is it teaching-focused or research-focused? Does it privilege experiential learning? Does it value faculty involvement outside the classroom? Is it affiliated with a specific religious tradition?
  • Does it have any specific institutional commitments?
  • How does the institution advocate for involvement in its local community?
  • What are the professional development opportunities for new and junior faculty?

Learn about the department. Knowing the specific culture and needs of the department can help you reach your audience: the department members who will be reading your documents and vetting you as a candidate.

  • Who is on the search committee? Who is the search committee chair?
  • What is the official name of the department?
  • Which different subfields make up the department?
  • Is it a dual appointment or a position in a dual department?
  • How does the department participate in specific types of student outreach?
  • Does the department have graduate students? Does it offer a terminal Master’s degree, Ph.D., or both? How large are the cohorts? How are they funded?
  • Does the department encourage or engage in interdisciplinary work?
  • Does the majority of the department favor certain theoretical or methodological approaches?
  • Does the department have partnerships with local institutions? If so, which ones?
  • Is the department attempting to fill a specific vacancy, or is it an entirely new position?
  • What are the typical course offerings in the department? Which courses might you be expected to teach? What courses might you be able to provide that are not currently available?

Consider the students. The search committee will often consider how you approach instructing and mentoring the student body. Sometimes committees will even reserve a position for a student or solicit student feedback on a candidate:

  • What populations constitute the majority of the undergraduate population?
  • Have there been any shifts in the student population recently?
  • Do students largely come from in-state or out-of-state?
  • Is there an international student population? If so, from which countries?
  • Is the university recruiting students from traditionally underrepresented populations?
  • Are students particularly active on campus? If so, how?

Many answers to these questions can be found both in the job description and on the institution’s website. If possible, consider contacting someone you know at the institution to ask about the culture directly. You can also use the institution’s course catalog, recruitment materials, alumni magazine, and other materials to get answers to these questions. The key is to understand the sort of institution to which you are applying, its immediate needs, and its future trajectory.

Remember, there is a resource that can help you with all three aspects—people. Reach out to your advisor, committee members, faculty mentors, and other contacts for insight into the prospective department’s culture and faculty. They might even help you revise your letter based on their expertise. Think of your job search as an opportunity to cultivate these relationships.

After you have done some initial research, think about how your experiences have prepared you for the job and identify the ones that seem the most relevant. Consider your previous research, internships, graduate teaching, and summer experiences. Here are some topics and questions to get you started thinking about what you might include.

Research Experiences. Consider how your research has prepared you for an academic career. Since the letter is a relatively short document, select examples of your research that really highlight who you are as a scholar, the direction you see your work going, and how your scholarship will contribute to the institution’s research community.

  • What are your current research interests?
  • What topics would you like to examine in the future?
  • How have you pursued those research interests?
  • Have you traveled for your research?
  • Have you published any of your research? Have you presented it at a conference, symposium, or elsewhere?
  • Have you worked or collaborated with scholars at different institutions on projects? If so, what did these collaborations produce?
  • Have you made your research accessible to your local community?
  • Have you received funding or merit-based fellowships for your research?
  • What other research contributions have you made? This may include opinion articles, book chapters, or participating as a journal reviewer.
  • How do your research interests relate to those of other faculty in the department or fill a gap?

Teaching Experience. Think about any teaching experience you may have. Perhaps you led recitations as a teaching assistant, taught your own course, or guest lectured. Pick a few experiences to discuss in your letter that demonstrate something about your teaching style or your interest in teaching.

  • What courses are you interested in teaching for the department? What courses have you taught that discussed similar topics or themes?
  • What new courses can you imagine offering the department that align with their aim and mission?
  • Have you used specific strategies that were helpful in your instruction?
  • What sort of resources do you typically use in the classroom?
  • Do you have anecdotes that demonstrate your teaching style?
  • What is your teaching philosophy?
  • When have you successfully navigated a difficult concept or topic in the classroom, and what did you learn?
  • What other opportunities could you provide to students?

Internships/Summer/Other Experiences. Brainstorm a list of any conferences, colloquiums, and workshops you have attended, as well as any ways you have served your department, university, or local community. This section will highlight how you participate in your university and scholarly community. Here are some examples of things you might discuss:

  • Professional development opportunities you may have pursued over the summer or during your studies
  • International travel for research or presentations
  • Any research you’ve done in a non-academic setting
  • Presentations at conferences
  • Participation in symposia, reading groups, working groups, etc.
  • Internships in which you may have implemented your research or practical skills related to your discipline
  • Participation in community engagement projects
  • Participation in or leadership of any scholarly and/or university organizations

In answering these questions, create a list of the experiences that you think best reflect you as a scholar and teacher. In choosing which experiences to highlight, consider your audience and what they would find valuable or relevant. Taking the time to really think about your reader will help you present yourself as an applicant well-qualified for the position.

Writing a draft

Remember that the job letter is an opportunity to introduce yourself and your accomplishments and to communicate why you would be a good fit for the position. Typically, search committees will want to know whether you are a capable job candidate, familiar with the institution, and a great future addition to the department’s faculty. As such, be aware of how the letter’s structure and content reflect your preparedness for the position.

The structure of your cover letter should reflect the typical standards for letter writing in the country in which the position is located (the list below reflects the standards for US letter writing). This usually includes a salutation, body, and closing, as well as proper contact information. If you are affiliated with a department, institution, or organization, the letter should be on letterhead.

  • Use a simple, readable font in a standard size, such as 10-12pt. Some examples of fonts that may be conventional in your field include Arial, Garamond, Times New Roman, and Verdana, among other similar fonts.
  • Do not indent paragraphs.
  • Separate all paragraphs by a line and justify them to the left.
  • Make sure that any included hyperlinks work.
  • Include your signature in the closing.

Before you send in your letter, make sure you proofread and look for formatting mistakes. You’ll read more about proofreading and revising later in this handout!

The second most important aspect of your letter is its content. Since the letter is the first chance to provide an in-depth introduction, it should expand on who you are as a scholar and possible faculty member. Below are some elements to consider including when composing your letter.

Identify the position you are applying to and introduce yourself. Traditionally, the first sentence of a job letter includes the full name of the position and where you discovered the job posting. This is also the place to introduce yourself and describe why you are applying for this position. Since the goal of a job letter is to persuade the search committee to include you on the list of candidates for further review, you may want to include an initial claim as to why you are a strong candidate for the position. Some questions you might consider:

  • What is your current status (ABD, assistant professor, post-doc, etc.)?
  • If you are ABD, have you defended your dissertation? If not, when will you defend?
  • Why are you interested in this position?
  • Why are you a strong candidate for this position?

Describe your research experience and interests. For research-centered positions, such as positions at R1 or other types of research-centered universities, include information about your research experience and current work early in the letter. For many applicants, current work will be the dissertation project. If this is the case, some suggest calling your “dissertation research” your “current project” or “work,” as this may help you present yourself as an emerging scholar rather than a graduate student. Some questions about your research that you might consider:

  • What research experiences have you had?
  • What does your current project investigate?
  • What are some of the important methods you applied?
  • Have you collaborated with others in your research?
  • Have you acquired specific skills that will be useful for the future?
  • Have you received special funding? If so, what kind?
  • Has your research received any accolades or rewards?
  • What does your current project contribute to the field?
  • Where have you presented your research?
  • Have you published your research? If so, where? Or are you working on publishing your work?
  • How does your current project fit the job description?

Present your plans for future research. This section presents your research agenda and usually includes a description of your plans for future projects and research publications. Detailing your future research demonstrates to the search committee that you’ve thought about a research trajectory and can work independently. If you are applying to a teaching-intensive position, you may want to minimize this section and/or consider including a sentence or two on how this research connects to undergraduate and/or graduate research opportunities. Some questions to get you started:

  • What is your next research project/s?
  • How does this connect to your current and past work?
  • What major theories/methods will you use?
  • How will this project contribute to the field?
  • Where do you see your specialty area or subfield going in the next ten years and how does your research contribute to or reflect this?
  • Will you be collaborating with anyone? If so, with whom?
  • How will this future project encourage academic discourse?
  • Do you already have funding? If so, from whom? If not, what plans do you have for obtaining funding?
  • How does your future research expand upon the department’s strengths while simultaneously diversifying the university’s research portfolio? (For example, does your future research involve emerging research fields, state-of-the-art technologies, or novel applications?)

Describe your teaching experience and highlight teaching strategies. This section allows you to describe your teaching philosophy and how you apply this philosophy in your classroom. Start by briefly addressing your teaching goals and values. Here, you can provide specific examples of your teaching methods by describing activities and projects you assign students. Try to link your teaching and research together. For example, if you research the rise of feminism in the 19th century, consider how you bring either the methodology or the content of your research into the classroom. For a teaching-centered institution, such as a small liberal arts college or community college, you may want to emphasize your teaching more than your research. If you do not have any teaching experience, you could describe a training, mentoring, or coaching situation that was similar to teaching and how you would apply what you learned in a classroom.

  • What is your teaching philosophy? How is your philosophy a good fit for the department in which you are applying to work?
  • What sort of teaching strategies do you use in the classroom?
  • What is your teaching style? Do you lecture? Do you emphasize discussion? Do you use specific forms of interactive learning?
  • What courses have you taught?
  • What departmental courses are you prepared to teach?
  • Will you be able to fill in any gaps in the departmental course offerings?
  • What important teaching and/or mentoring experiences have you had?
  • How would you describe yourself in the classroom?
  • What type of feedback have you gotten from students?
  • Have you received any awards or recognition for your teaching?

Talk about your service work. Service is often an important component of an academic job description. This can include things like serving on committees or funding panels, providing reviews, and doing community outreach. The cover letter gives you an opportunity to explain how you have involved yourself in university life outside the classroom. For instance, you could include descriptions of volunteer work, participation in initiatives, or your role in professional organizations. This section should demonstrate ways in which you have served your department, university, and/or scholarly community. Here are some additional examples you could discuss:

  • Participating in graduate student or junior faculty governance
  • Sitting on committees, departmental or university-wide
  • Partnerships with other university offices or departments
  • Participating in community-partnerships
  • Participating in public scholarship initiatives
  • Founding or participating in any university initiatives or programs
  • Creating extra-curricular resources or presentations

Present yourself as a future faculty member. This section demonstrates who you will be as a colleague. It gives you the opportunity to explain how you will collaborate with faculty members with similar interests; take part in departmental and/or institution wide initiatives or centers; and participate in departmental service. This shows your familiarity with the role of faculty outside the classroom and your ability to add to the departmental and/or institutional strengths or fill in any gaps.

  • What excites you about this job?
  • What faculty would you like to collaborate with and why? (This answer may be slightly tricky. See the section on name dropping below.)
  • Are there any partnerships in the university or outside of it that you wish to participate in?
  • Are there any centers associated with the university or in the community that you want to be involved in?
  • Are there faculty initiatives that you are passionate about?
  • Do you have experience collaborating across various departments or within your own department?
  • In what areas will you be able to contribute?
  • Why would you make an excellent addition to the faculty at this institution?

Compose a strong closing. This short section should acknowledge that you have sent in all other application documents and include a brief thank you for the reader’s time and/or consideration. It should also state your willingness to forward additional materials and indicate what you would like to see as next steps (e.g., a statement that you look forward to speaking with the search committee). End with a professional closing such as “Sincerely” or “Kind Regards” followed by your full name.

If you are finding it difficult to write the different sections of your cover letter, consider composing the other academic job application documents (the research statement, teaching philosophy, and diversity statement) first and then summarizing them in your job letter.

Different kinds of letters may be required for different types of jobs. For example, some jobs may focus on research. In this case, emphasize your research experiences and current project/s. Other jobs may be more focused on teaching. In this case, highlight your teaching background and skills. Below are two models for how you could change your letter’s organization based on the job description and the institution. The models offer a guide for you to consider how changing the order of information and the amount of space dedicated to a particular topic changes the emphasis of the letter.

Research-Based Position Job Letter Example:

Date: Month Day, Year

Search Committee Chair’s First and Last Name, Graduate Degree
Full Department Name
Name of Institution
Department Address

Dear Dr./Mr./Ms. Search Committee Chair’s last name and/or Search Committee Members:

Paragraph 1 [3-5 Sentences]: Identify the position you are applying for. Introduce yourself to the committee and your research interests. Connect your interests to the department and describe what makes you interested in becoming part of this departmental community.

Paragraph 2 [3-5 Sentences]: Briefly explain your research to date. Consider mentioning your research questions, methods, key findings, as well as where and when you published and/or presented this work.

Paragraph 3 [4-5 Sentences]: Elaborate on your current research project. Consider mentioning your most prestigious funding awards for this project. Explain your key findings in more detail.

Paragraph 4 [3-5 Sentences]: Introduce your future research plans and goals. Point out the intellectual merit and/or broader impacts of this future work.

Paragraph 5 [3-5 Sentences]: Briefly discuss your teaching experience and strategies. Provide examples of teaching strategies or an anecdote highlighting your teaching effectiveness. You may also want to introduce your philosophy on diversity in an academic setting.

Paragraph 6 [2-3 Sentences]: Make a connection between your work and the department to which you are applying. Include how you will participate in the intellectual life of the department both inside and outside the classroom. Provide concrete examples of how you will be a hard-working and collaborative colleague.

Paragraph 7 [1-2 Sentences]: A thank you for the search committee’s time and consideration.

Sincerely,
[Signature]

Your Name
Credentials and Position
Institution/Affiliation Name

Teaching-Based Position Job Letter Example:

Date: Month Day, Year

Search Committee Chair’s First and Last Name, Graduate Degree
Full Department Name
Name of Institution
Department Address

Dear Dr./Mr./Ms. Search Committee Chair’s last name and/or Search Committee Members:

Paragraph 1 [3-5 Sentences]: Identify the position you are applying for. Introduce yourself to the committee and your research interests. Connect your interests to the department and describe what makes you interested in becoming part of this departmental community.

Paragraph 2 [3-5 Sentences]: Briefly discuss your teaching experience and pedagogical commitments. Provide examples of teaching strategies or an anecdote highlighting your teaching effectiveness. You may also want to introduce your philosophy on diversity in an academic setting.

Paragraph 3 [3-4 Sentences]: Provide a discussion of how you involved yourself with students or the broader university community outside of the traditional classroom setting. Discuss how those interactions influenced your teaching.

Paragraph 4 [2-3 Sentences]: Briefly explain your current research interests to date and how it relates to your teaching. State your research questions, methods, and key findings or arguments. Point out the intellectual merit and/or broader impacts of this future work.

Paragraph 5 [3-5 Sentences]: Highlight when and where your research was published and/or presented this work or any forthcoming publications. Mention any prestigious funding or awards. Introduce your future research plans and goals.

Paragraph 6 [2-3 Sentences]: Make a connection between your work and the department to which you are applying. Include how you will participate in the intellectual life of the department both inside and outside the classroom. Provide concrete examples of how you will be a hard-working and collaborative colleague.

Paragraph 7 [1-2 Sentences]: A thank you for the search committee’s time and consideration.

Sincerely,
[Signature]

Your Name
Credentials and Position
Institution/Affiliation Name

Remember your first draft does not have to be your last. Try to get feedback from different readers, especially if it is one of your first applications. It is not uncommon to go through several stages of revisions. Check out the Writing Center’s handout on editing and proofreading and video on proofreading to help with this last stage of writing.

Potential pitfalls

Using the word dissertation. Some search committee members may see the word “dissertation” as a red flag that an applicant is too focused on their role as a graduate student rather than as a prospective faculty member. It may be advantageous, then, to describe your dissertation as current research, a current research project, current work, or some other phrase that demonstrates you are aware that your dissertation is the beginning of a larger scholarly career.

Too much jargon. While you may be writing to a specific department, people on the search committee might be unfamiliar with the details of your subfield. In fact, many committees have at least one member from outside their department. Use terminology that can easily be understood by non-experts. If you want to use a specific term that is crucial to your research, then you should define it. Aim for clarity for your reader, which may mean simplification in lieu of complete precision.

Overselling yourself. While your job letter should sell you as a great candidate, saying so (e.g., “I’m the ideal candidate”) in your letter may come off to some search committee members as presumptuous. Remember that although you have an idea about the type of colleague a department is searching for, ultimately you do not know exactly what they want. Try to avoid phrases or sentences where you state you are the ideal or the only candidate right for the position.

Paying too much attention to the job description. Job descriptions are the result of a lot of debate and compromise. If you have skills or research interests outside the job description, consider including them in your letter. It may be that your extra research interests; your outside skills; and/or your extracurricular involvements make you an attractive candidate. For example, if you are a Latin Americanist who also happens to be well-versed in the Spanish Revolution, it could be worth mentioning the expanse of your research interests because a department might find you could fill in other gaps in the curriculum or add an additional or complementary perspective to the department.

Improper sendoff. The closing of your letter is just as important as the beginning. The end of the letter should reflect the professionalism of the document. There should be a thank-you and the word sincerely or a formal equivalent. Remember, it is the very last place in your letter where you present yourself as a capable future colleague.

Small oversights. Make sure to proofread your letter not just for grammar but also for content. For example, if you use material from another letter, make sure you do not include the names of another school, department, or unassociated faculty! Or, if the school is in Chicago, make sure you do not accidentally reference it as located in the Twin Cities.

Name dropping. You rarely know the internal politics of the department or institution to which you are applying. So be cautious about the names you insert in your cover letters. You do not want to unintentionally insert yourself into a departmental squabble or add fire to an interdepartmental conflict. Instead, focus on the actions you will undertake and the initiatives you are passionate about.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Ball, Cheryl E. 2013. “Understanding Cover Letters.” Inside Higher Ed , November 3, 2013. https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2013/11/04/essay-cover-letter-academic-jobs .

Borchardt, John. 2014. “Writing a Winning Cover Letter.” Science Magazine , August 6, 2014. https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2014/08/writing-winning-cover-letter# .

Helmreich, William. 2013. “Your First Academic Job.” Inside Higher Ed , June 17, 2013. https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2013/06/17/essay-how-land-first-academic-job .

Kelsky, Karen. 2013. “How To Write a Journal Article Submission Cover Letter.” The Professor Is In (blog), April 26, 2013. https://theprofessorisin.com/2013/04/26/how-to-write-a-journal-article-submission-cover-letter/ .

Tomaska, Lubomir, and Josef Nosek. 2008. “Ten Simple Rules for Writing a Cover Letter to Accompany a Job Application for an Academic Position.” PLoS Computational Biology 14(5). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006132 .

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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15 Higher Education Cover Letter Tips to Get a College Job

15 Higher Education Cover Letter Tips to Get a University or College Job

Writing a higher education cover letter using these expert tips will help you secure an interview and a top job offer in a competitive job market. Whether you are applying to become the next Dean of Students, Campus Coordinator, Director of Alumni Relations, College Adjunct Instructor, or University Professor, ensure you are the individual getting an interview and that dream job.  

When reviewing job postings, you will discover the advert could request a cover letter, application letter, letter of intent, or letter of introduction. These are just different ways to refer to the letter they expect to see accompanying the resume or CV . Implement these tried and true higher education cover letter writing tips to showcase your best value.

A well-written cover letter can be just as impressive as an adequately  designed resume ; a cover letter, a.k.a. the application letter, should always accompany a resume or CV. This is the opportunity to fine-tune your storytelling abilities and speak to the institution specifically by tailoring your accomplishments and personal traits to a particular job.

Describe your abilities, competencies, skills, knowledge, and expertise, and illustrate them with concrete, institution-specific examples. This is the prime time to tell a hiring committee why you are the perfect candidate whose values, expertise, and skills match the department’s mission and needs. Implementing this post’s strategies will help you make a career transition into a university or college confidently . 

Top Higher Education Cover Letter Writing Tips

Research the institution – college or university faculty.

The more you know about the institution you are applying for, the easier it will be to tailor your higher education cover letter to the college or university’s specific needs, goals, and mission. Whether targeting an Executive Director position or applying for an Adjunct Professor posting, directly relating your skills and expertise to the institution’s needs will go a long way when your application is assessed.

Even if some of your research does not come through in your cover letter, this is excellent preparation for the interview you are setting yourself up for with a professionally written cover letter. You will be better equipped to answer questions such as “Why this job?” and “How are you qualified?” if you thoroughly understand what the position requires.

Check the College or University’s Website

Dive into the college or university’s website to find vital institutional characteristics, strategic goals, needs, and educational missions. This is also where you will discover the institution’s “language.” Try to mimic the wording in your cover letter to the website and job description. This may set you apart from other applicants. You have put in that extra effort to understand better what the position entails and how it positions itself in the educational world.  

Tailor Your Cover Letter for the Position

Because you may be sending out your resume and cover letter to multiple institutions, do not inform the faculties by submitting a generic template cover letter. If you have diligently learned the position, you should tailor your cover letter to the job. The easiest way is to include the college or university name in your letter.

Additionally, ensure you address the college’s particular needs with your accomplishments; this will show the hiring committee that you are familiar with their goals and have the experience to back up your self-marketing.

Suppose you take the extra time to tailor your cover letter to the position you are applying for, be it the Dean of Students or Director of Communications. In that case, you increase your chances of being selected for an interview.

Be Specific by Targeting the Cover Letter

When highlighting your capabilities and achievements, it is vital to illustrate how your competencies will meet the objectives of the position you aim to fill. Whether you list your powers in bullet or paragraph form, do it concisely so the hiring committee can see and read how you are the right candidate for the position.  

List Accomplishments to Match Higher Education Position

When applying for higher education positions such as Chief Technology Officer, Campus Coordinator, or Executive Director, you want to ensure the accomplishments and experiences you add to your cover letter are relevant to the specific position and institution you are targeting.

A good rule of thumb is to highlight the job description and any other documents with the general position expectations with keywords that pertain to your expertise and achievements. This will enable you to specify what you bring to your letter.

As you progress in your career, an idea would be to create a document listing all your accomplishments. After cleaning it up, you would word them for a cover letter in paragraph form and insert them into your cover letters for new employment opportunities.

This way, you always have the sense of a tailored cover letter, although you may have copied and pasted the middle section, and you don’t have to spend hours creating a brand new note each time you want to apply somewhere.

Quantify Career Results

Whenever possible, take a cue from your resume and quantify your accomplishments. If you have “increased student enrolment by 15%” in your tenure, then say so. Take that achievement, develop it into something the hiring committee can see you taking on in their company, and specify that in your cover letter.

These may seem like tedious details, but sometimes the numbers stand out in a sea of words, so take advantage of the opportunity to market yourself in a way that the competition may not.  

Include Keywords

The job posting should provide you with a wealth of information about the employer and the type of person they want to hire. You want your cover letter to engage the reader, so speak to the responsibilities and job description without repeating it word for word. Also, make sure you use keywords that apply to your career and your competencies.

Utilizing keywords will also help your higher education cover letter and resume or curriculum vitae pass the Applicant Tracking Systems. Look below for some examples of keywords to include based on the position you are applying for:

Dean of Students : analytical thinking, leadership, and managerial competencies; organized, self-motivated, humanitarian, technologically competent, approachable.

Adjunct Professor: syllabus creation, student performance monitoring, collaboration and coordination, organizational skills, teamwork, computer competencies.

Director of Admissions: application assessment, institution promotion, management abilities, administrative competencies, attention to detail, enrollment assistance.

Chief Technology Officer: computer proficiency, technical expertise, leadership, analytical, communication and interpersonal skills, and teamwork.

You should format your higher education cover letter to be read easily if sent over email. A PDF is the best as it can be opened and viewed precisely how you created it. Remembering this is a good rule if you intend to attach it to the email or application website.

It may be best practice to copy and paste your cover letter into the email body to ensure the hiring manager reads it. They may not open the cover letter as an attachment and instead go straight to the resume.

The overall layout should follow the suggestions below:  

A cover letter allows you to be more personal and speak as if you were having a conversation; however, do not make it too lengthy. Ensure you keep your resume to one page in length. This page encompasses three to four paragraphs describing your intention, qualifications, accomplishments, and a closing.  

Address to Hiring Manager

While researching information about the position and the institution, note who may be reading your application whenever possible. Some hiring managers may not care that the letter is explicitly addressed to them.

Why take the chance and leave their name out when it could be critical to the person reading your cover letter? If the name is not listed in the job description, contact the Department of Human Resources to determine to whom it should be addressed.  

First Paragraph / Opening Sentence

The first paragraph of your cover letter should state the position you are applying for, the institution you are applying to, and why you are the right candidate for the job. Add your applicable educational background if the job description requires a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.

The example below uses strong language and markets the professional for the Dean of Students position. This is the opportunity to briefly display what you can offer the college or university regarding its mission.

“As an experienced leader in the academic sector for over 30 years, I welcome the opportunity to apply for the Dean of Students position with ABC University. As an alumnus of ABC University, I would love the chance to return and become a member of the faculty. I am well prepared to significantly contribute to the goals and objectives of the institution as I have honed my operational, planning, and program development skills to serve your community better.”  

Middle Paragraphs – Include Achievements

The 2nd and 3rd paragraphs should describe your relevant qualifications and highlight your accomplishments. Make sure they pertain to the desired position. This is where examples of how your skills, experience, or research directly correlate with what the employer is looking for.

For instance:

Over the last two years at State College, I have increased donations by more than 80%, bringing over $1 million to the college”.

Each middle paragraph should describe why you are uniquely qualified for the position using keywords from the job posting. There are two options to fulfill this opportunity: bullet point and narrative.

Bullet points are great if you want to catch the reader’s eye quickly and concisely; describe your accomplishments in about four bullet points. Using a narrative is another approach if you wish the hiring committee to remember a story. Either option is acceptable; it depends on how you describe your experiences.

Example Accomplishments and Paragraph

  • Established innovative and successful academic programs to attract and retain students, reinforced educational offerings, and enhanced intellectual professional development.  
  • Spearheaded an academic growth program, enhanced curriculum development, and organized grant and funding initiatives.

  “My experience in the English Department has enabled me to become a skilled writer by concentrating in literature for both my undergraduate and graduate programs. I am excited to incorporate the technologies I have utilized in my teaching and am eager to work with new systems. Organization and leadership are vital to balance multiple projects and demands successfully, and this expertise has made my career much more rewarding.”

When writing your achievements in paragraph form, think of them using the CAR analogy: CHALLENGE-ACTION-RESULT.  

Final Paragraph / Closing / Thank You

In the final paragraph, you thank the reader for their consideration and request the opportunity to meet in person. This is also the place for that final push, the last opportunity to tell the reader that you are the right candidate.

“As a passionate, innovative, and dedicated teaching professional, I am confident that my skills in academic oversight and directional leadership will directly translate to Taylor University’s mission. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to connecting with you soon to offer more insight into my qualifications.”  

Call to Action/Ask for the Interview

A more direct way to ask for the interview is to be proactive in your approach to closing the cover letter. For example:

“ I will call in one week to follow up and find out if I can clarify any questions you may have, ” or “I will contact you within the next few days to set up a time to speak more specifically about how my skills will directly benefit your academic community .”

If you decide to go with this closing, connect with the institution.  

Match Your Resume

Consistency is critical when submitting several documents with your application. Your paperwork must reflect a polished and professional personality. Ensure your cover letter matches the formatting you used for your resume.

They all have the same look if you are sending thank you letters or recruiting/networking letters. Copy and paste your heading, thus ensuring that the same font, size, and borders are present on everything. Double-check to make sure all documents look the same before you submit them.

Proofreading may seem obvious, but it is a step that should not be missed. If your cover letter has grammatical or spelling errors, it could automatically disqualify you from the position. It may also not pass the Applicant Tracking Systems.

Your capacity to communicate on your higher education cover letter will reflect your ability. Whether you lead a department, teach a graduate class, or recruit and retain students. Read over your cover letter, print it off, reread it, set it aside, and read it a third time. Always proofread and, when possible, have a friend do it for you.

The cover letter is the opportunity to market yourself and your skills in a much less structured way than a resume. Make sure that your cover letter is engaging. Ensure it reflects your skills specific to the position and shows your passion for the job you wish to secure.

An excellent letter will highlight the best parts of your resume without copying it word for word. The goal is to explain why you are the ideal person for the job. Why your experiences are relevant, and how you will use your well-tuned skills in this new role. Take these higher education cover-level tips to heart, and you will land that new job as the next Director of Academic Programs!

If you need help writing your job search documents, connect with me (Candace) via phone at 1 877 738 8052 or send an email .

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Instructional Coach Cover Letter Samples (Free Guide)

Land your dream instructional coach job with our A+ cover letter samples, tips, and guide to boost your chances of success.

Mrinmoy Das

Mrinmoy Das

Read more posts by this author.

Crafting a compelling cover letter is crucial when applying for the role of an instructional coach. Your instructional coach cover letter should highlight your ability to mentor, support, and drive professional growth within educational settings.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to structure a standout instructional coach cover letter, focusing on key elements that will help you showcase your expertise and passion for this role.

Cover Letter Example for Instructional Coach (Experienced Individual)

Cover Letter Example for Instructional Coach

[Your Name] [Your Address] [Email Address] [Phone Number]

[Hiring Manager's Name] [School/Organization Name] [Address]

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my interest in the Instructional Coach position at [School/Organization Name], as advertised. With over [X] years of experience in education, including [X] years as an instructional coach, I have developed a passion for fostering teacher growth, enhancing instructional strategies, and improving student outcomes.

My track record of success in driving instructional excellence makes me an ideal candidate for this role. In my previous roles, I have consistently supported teachers in developing their instructional practices while creating a collaborative learning environment.

Here are a few highlights:

Mentorship: Successfully coached and mentored over 50 teachers across multiple grade levels, leading to a 20% improvement in classroom performance.

Professional development: Designed and delivered over 30 professional development workshops on differentiated instruction, assessment strategies, and technology integration.

Curriculum development: Played a key role in redesigning the school/organization’s curriculum, which increased teacher engagement and student performance by 10%.

Improved student outcomes: Led a data-driven coaching initiative that resulted in a 15% increase in student literacy scores within a year.

I am excited about the opportunity to bring my expertise in instructional coaching to [School/Organization] and contribute to your continued success. I am confident that my dedication to teacher development and student achievement will make a positive impact on your school/organization.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my experience and skills align with the goals of your team.

[Your Name]

Cover Letter Sample for Instructional Coach (Experienced Candidate)

Cover Letter Sample for Instructional Coach

I am thrilled to apply for the Instructional Coach position at [School/Organization]. With more than [X] years of teaching and coaching experience, I have developed a passion for empowering educators to improve their instructional techniques and, ultimately, enhance student achievement.

I am confident that my strong background in instructional coaching makes me a perfect fit for this role. Throughout my career, I have focused on creating supportive and collaborative environments where teachers feel encouraged to reflect on their practices and embrace new strategies.

My coaching approach is centered on building meaningful relationships, using data to inform instruction, and promoting continuous professional growth. In my current role as an instructional coach at [Current School/District], I have successfully led initiatives that have had a lasting impact on both teachers and students.

One of my key accomplishments was leading a school-wide initiative to integrate technology into the classroom, which resulted in significant improvements in student engagement and learning outcomes.

I am particularly drawn to the instructional coach position at [School/Organization] because of your commitment to teacher development and innovative instruction. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to your esteemed team.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute towards your [school/organization’s] goal.

Cover Letter Example for Instructional Coach (For Freshers)

Cover Letter Example for Instructional Coach for Freshers

I am excited to apply for the Instructional Coach position at [School /Organization Name]. I am a recent graduate in education and have hands-on experience in the field through student teaching and internship roles. I am eager to bring my passion for supporting educators and improving student outcomes to your team.

Although I am new to the instructional coaching field, I am confident that my knowledge and enthusiasm will make a valuable contribution to your team. During my studies and internship at [Previous School/Organization], I developed a deep understanding of effective instructional techniques and the role of coaching in professional development.

Few key qualifications that make me a strong candidate for this position:

Strong Educational Background: Graduated with [Your Degree] in [Relevant Field] from [University Name], focusing on educational best practices and instructional design.

Hands-On Experience: Supported classroom instruction, collaborated with teachers, and participated in lesson planning during my internship at [Previous School].

Professional Development: Attended workshops and training sessions on data-driven teaching, differentiated instruction, and integrating technology into the classroom to enhance learning experiences.

Collaborative Skills: Worked closely with teachers and administrators to analyze student performance data and provide actionable insights.

Organizational Skills: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently while maintaining a focus on supporting teachers and improving student engagement.

I am highly motivated to contribute to the success of [School District/Organization Name] by supporting teachers in refining their instructional methods and fostering a culture of continuous learning.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to your organization and growing as an instructional coach.

Cover Letter Sample for Instructional Coach (For Freshers)

Cover Letter Sample for Instructional Coach for Freshers

[Hiring Manager] [School District/Organization Name] [Address]

I am writing to express my interest in the Instructional Coach position at [School Name/Organization Name]. As a recent graduate in education, I have hands-on experience in teaching and internship roles. I am eager to contribute my skills to support teacher development and enhance student learning.

Throughout my academic journey, I have cultivated a deep passion for fostering collaborative learning environments. During my internship at [Previous School/Organization], I had the opportunity to observe and participate in various instructional strategies, providing support to both teachers and students.

Additionally, I have actively engaged in professional development workshops on differentiated instruction and data-driven teaching, which has strengthened my ability to provide valuable feedback and guidance.

Although I am a fresher in the field, my enthusiasm for improving education, coupled with my solid foundational knowledge of instructional coaching techniques, makes me confident that I can make a meaningful contribution to your team. I am eager to bring my collaborative spirit, organizational skills, and innovative mindset to [School District/Organization Name].

Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the opportunity to discuss how my skills and passion for education align with your school's vision.

How to Write an Instructional Coach Cover Letter:

Here are a few steps for writing the perfect cover letter for an instructional coach:

1. Start with a Strong Opening

Your opening paragraph should express your enthusiasm for the job. So, briefly introduce who you are. Mention how you heard about the position and why you are excited about the opportunity.

Example: "I am writing to express my interest in the Instructional Coach position at [School Name/Organization Name]. With over [X years] of experience in education, I am passionate about supporting teachers in enhancing their instructional practices and improving student outcomes. I am excited to bring my skills and experience to [School Name] and contribute to your mission of fostering educational excellence."

2. Showcase Your Skills & Experiences

The second paragraph should highlight your experience as an educator or coach. Focus on key skills such as mentoring teachers, improving instructional methods, or leading professional development initiatives. For freshers, emphasize on your academic background and any related internships or experiences that have prepared you for the role.

Example: "In my previous role as [position], I worked closely with teachers to develop effective lesson plans, integrate technology into classrooms, provide support through feedback, and developed targeted strategies which resulted in significant improvements in classroom engagement and student performance."

3. Highlight Key Achievements

For experienced candidates, consider including a few key achievements in bullet points. For freshers, focus on your core skills that align with the job requirements.

Example for Experienced Candidates: Some of my key achievements are:

Developed and led professional development workshops for over 50 teachers.

Collaborated with school administrators to create a coaching program that improved teacher retention by 15%.

Led a data-driven initiative that increased overall student literacy rates by 10%.

Example for Freshers:

Designing lesson plans aligned with the school curriculum.

Using data to inform instruction and improve student outcomes.

Collaborating with teachers and administrators to develop engaging learning environments.

4. Express Enthusiasm for the Role

Explain why you are excited about this specific position. Show that you’ve done your research by referring to the school's or organization's values or goals.

Example: "I am particularly drawn to the opportunity at [School/Organization Name] because of your commitment to innovative teaching methods and continuous professional development. I am eager to contribute to your efforts in helping educators reach their full potential and improve student learning experiences."

5. End with a Strong Closing

In your closing paragraph, thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration, and express your eagerness for an interview.

Example: "Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing how my skills and experience align with your needs. I am confident that I can be a great fit for your team. Please feel free to contact me at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address] to schedule an interview."

6. Finish with a Professional Sign-Off

End your cover letter with a professional sign-off, such as:

"Sincerely,

[Your Name]"

5 Tips for Writing the Perfect Instructional Coach Cover Letter:

1. tailor it to the job.

Customize your cover letter for each position. Mention the school or organization’s goals and explain how your skills meet their specific needs. This demonstrates that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested.

2. Highlight Relevant Coaching Skills

Focus on the specific skills required for instructional coaching, such as mentoring teachers, providing feedback, leading professional development, and using data to improve instructional strategies.

3. Use Quantifiable Achievements

Whenever possible, use data to back up your claims. To make a stronger impact, highlight specific achievements, such as improvements in student performance, teacher engagement, or successful professional development initiatives.

4. Show Enthusiasm

Express genuine passion for helping teachers and enhancing educational outcomes in your cover letter. Enthusiasm is key to standing out.

5. Keep It Concise

Your cover letter should be no longer than one page. Stay focused, keep your paragraphs well-organized, and avoid repeating information from your resume. Each sentence should add value, leading smoothly from your introduction to a confident closing.

Mistakes To Avoid When Writing an Instructional Coach Cover Letter

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when writing an instructional coach cover letter:

1. Using a Generic Cover Letter

Avoid sending the same cover letter to multiple companies. Customize each cover letter to the specific instructional coach position. A generic cover letter may give the impression that you’re not genuinely interested in the role.

2. Don’t Focus Too Much on Yourself

While it’s important to highlight your skills and qualifications, focusing only on your achievements without connecting them to how you can help the school or organization is a mistake. Always link your skills and experience to the school's specific needs.

3. Repeating Your Resume

Do not write the same information as your resume. Your cover letter should complement your resume by expanding on your key achievements and explaining your suitability for the position.

4. Being Too Casual

Your tone should be professional and approachable. Avoid overly formal language, as it can sound insincere. On the other hand, being too casual can make you seem unprofessional. Strike a balance between both to keep the tone conversational and respectful.

5. Making It Too Long or Too Short

A cover letter that is too long may lose the reader’s interest. At the same time, a cover letter that’s too short may not provide enough detail about your qualifications. Aim for a one-page cover letter with concise paragraphs that convey all necessary information.

6. Not Proofreading for Errors

Proofread your cover letter multiple times or ask someone else to review it before submitting it. Typos, grammatical mistakes, and formatting errors can quickly undermine your professionalism.

7. Lack of Enthusiasm

A lack of enthusiasm can make it seem like you’re just applying for the job. Hiring managers want to see your passion for the role. Use your cover letter to convey genuine excitement about the opportunity and how you can positively impact the teachers and students in the school.

Explore our other cover letter samples for different job types and experience levels:

Finance Assistant Cover Letter
Pixar Cover Letter
Nursing Cover Letter
Case Administrator Cover Letter
Talent Acquisition Cover Letter

Writing a compelling cover letter for an instructional coach position is your opportunity to showcase your qualifications, passion for education, and ability to make a lasting impact.

Remember to keep your tone professional yet enthusiastic and proofread carefully to avoid common mistakes. With these tips, you’ll be on your way to landing the dream instructional coach role.

Mrinmoy Das

This article has been written by Mrinmoy Das . He works as a content writer at Vantage Lens . His areas of interests range from heavy metal to history. He has a passion for storytelling, and he crafts compelling narratives that resonate across diverse audiences.

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    In a cover letter, Educators should include the following: 1. Personal Information: Start with your name, address, contact number, and email address. 2. Salutation: Address the hiring manager or the person mentioned in the job posting directly.

  10. How to Write an Education Cover Letter (With Template)

    The following steps can help you write a successful cover letter for an education role: 1. Write a cover letter header. The header section of a cover letter is the space at the top of the document that contains your name, e-mail address, phone number, city, and province or territory, so a hiring manager knows how to contact you. Another goal of ...

  11. Education Cover Letter Examples & Expert Tips

    Education cover letter example. Use this Education cover letter example to finish your application and get hired fast - no frustration, no guesswork. This cover letter example is specifically designed for Education positions in 2024. Take advantage of our sample sentences + expert guides to download the perfect cover letter in just minutes. 4.3.

  12. Sample Cover Letter for a School Position

    Sample Cover Letter for an Education Position (Text Version) Gloria Lau 87 Washington Street Smithfield, CA 08055 555-555-5555 [email protected]. May 10, 2021. Ms. Rachel Lee Smithfield Elementary School 123 Main Street Smithfield, CA 08055. Dear Mr. Doe, Thank you for taking the time to review my resume.

  13. Education Cover Letter Samples & Examples 2024

    The name of the company you are applying to (& the department name, when applicable) Your name and professional title. Your professional contact information (phone number, email address, LinkedIn, etc.) Here's an example of a well-formatted education cover letter header. To: Buncombe County School District, Curriculum Department.

  14. Free Education Cover Letter Examples & Templates

    Free education cover letter example. Dear Mr. Smith, My teaching philosophy has always been that I want my students to know the information I'm teaching them and retain it for a long time, not that I want them to pass my tests. Although it may seem counter-intuitive, embracing this philosophy has actually led to a 43% decrease in failing ...

  15. Education Cover Letter Example & Expert Writing Tips

    Education cover letter example showcasing best practice. Below is a sample education cover letter that puts the tips we've talked through into practice. Go ahead and download the template as a Word Document here and use it as a starting point for writing your own cover letter. To: [Name of Head Teacher, Name of School, City & Postcode] Re ...

  16. How to Write a Cover Letter for a Teaching Position

    Main Street. Smithfield, CA 08055. Dear Mr. Doe, I am interested in applying for an elementary-level teaching position in your school district. As a 2022 graduate of Amplesmith College, I have student teaching experience on the third- fourth-, and sixth-grade level, in both suburban and urban school districts.

  17. Teacher Cover Letter Examples + Writing Tips for 2024

    Format your cover letter's greeting. Your cover letter should look like any other business letter, including a formal header with a proper greeting. Strong cover letter greeting example: April 13, 2024. Laura S. Jenkins, Ph.D. Lincoln Elementary School. 7th N Keystone Lane. Philadelphia, PA 12443. Dear Dr. Jenkins,

  18. Teacher Cover Letter Examples & Writing Tips

    To build on the advice outlined in our video guide, read through our tips to learn how to write the best possible teacher cover letter. 1. Showcase your key teaching skills. Highlighting key hard and soft skills on your cover letter is crucial to landing the teaching role you want.

  19. Education Specialist Cover Letter Examples

    Education Program Coordinator Example. Education Specialist Cover Letter Example. Education Team Lead. Instructional Designer Cover Letter Example. International Student Advisor Cover Letter Example. Lead Educator. Learning Specialist Cover Letter Example. Literacy Coach Cover Letter Example. Master Teacher.

  20. Academic Cover Letters

    At their most basic level, academic cover letters accomplish three things: one, they express your interest in the job; two, they provide a brief synopsis of your research and teaching; and three, they summarize your past experiences and achievements to illustrate your competence for the job. For early-career scholars, cover letters are ...

  21. 15 Higher Education Cover Letter Tips to Get a College Job

    Writing a higher education cover letter using these expert tips will help you secure an interview and a top job offer in a competitive job market. Whether you are applying to become the next Dean of Students, Campus Coordinator, Director of Alumni Relations, College Adjunct Instructor, or University Professor, ensure you are the individual getting an interview and that dream job. When ...

  22. Instructional Coach Cover Letter Samples (Free Guide)

    End your cover letter with a professional sign-off, such as: "Sincerely, [Your Name]" 5 Tips for Writing the Perfect Instructional Coach Cover Letter: 1. Tailor It to the Job. Customize your cover letter for each position. Mention the school or organization's goals and explain how your skills meet their specific needs.

  23. Secretary's Cover Letter: A Focus on Improving the FAFSA® Experience

    Given the importance of this effort for so many who are considering higher education, we very much understand the deep frustrations many expressed in the initial months after the launch of the 2024-25 FAFSA form, which faced delays and technical difficulties.