Resumes & Cover Letters

How to Write a Cover Letter for Your First Teaching Job

It is still possible for you to write a quality cover letter even if you do not have any teaching experience. Adapting around your lack of experience will help you impress hiring managers and increase your chances of getting hired.

What to include in your cover letter for a first-time teacher with no experience

Regardless of the lack of work history you have, a cover letter should highlight your abilities as a new teacher. Your cover letter needs to include specific information for recruiters to consider your resume. Here’s what you should have:

1. Name and contact information 

You should include your contact information and your first and last name at the top of your cover letter. Potential employers can use this information to contact you for an interview.

2. Date of the cover letter

Recruiters want to know how old your cover letter is by knowing the Date you plan to send it. Include the Date below your contact information.

3. Recipient’s name and contact information

Identify the person who will receive the cover letter by their first name, last name, and contact information. By doing so, your cover letter will go to the right person.

4. Relevant training, student-teaching experience, and achievements

Provide as many details as possible about your qualifications. Even if you do not have any teaching experience, you should include information about your training, student teaching experiences, and achievements that indicate you are a good teacher. As a substitute for lack of experience, you should include any volunteer or non-teaching experience with children.

5. Training or certifications

You may be required to possess specific training or certifications when applying for teaching jobs. Include any that you have and explain how they meet the requirements for the job.

How to structure your cover letter

1. Contact information

Begin your cover letter with your personal information, including your full name, mailing address, phone number, email address, and the date you write the cover letter. Then include the recipient’s information. Allow each detail one line.

2. Salutations and introduction

If you’re interested in working for the school, ensure you express your interest. Start with a salutation, such as “Dear” or “Hello” to the hiring manager. Then start your introduction. It would help to mention the position you want, the school’s name, and where you discovered the job opening.

3. Body paragraph and conclusion

Include two to three paragraphs that describe your training as a teacher, your experience as a student teacher, and any achievements. It would be best to explain how your training, experience as a student teacher, and accomplishments make you a suitable candidate for the teaching position you are applying for.

Additionally, you can mention any volunteering or non-teaching work with children. Your passion for education and commitment to the education field should be evident.

In your conclusion, be sure to restate your interest in the job and that you are looking forward to hearing back about the job. Make sure to sign off your cover letter at the end. 

K12jobsNJ advertises education jobs in New Jersey. Create a free account to see what's available. Check out the career advice section for tips on improving your resume, cover letter, or interview skills. Sign up now to receive new job alerts by text message.