How To Write a High School Teacher Resume
An effective high school teacher’s resume must prove to the school board you have the classroom management skills to engage students of all backgrounds. Hiring managers must know you can create a positive and inclusive learning environment through sound teaching methods and subject expertise. This guide will walk you through the resume-building process and equip you with tools to write a document showcasing the most impressive aspects of your teaching career.
1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications
Convince school districts, private schools, and other learning institutions that you’re an excellent educator with a compelling resume profile. Start with your job title, followed by years of experience and three to four outstanding specialties or skills. Establish yourself as a professional dedicated to educating high schoolers through leadership and empathy.
You can shift the focus from tenure to training if you’re an entry-level teacher. Mention your recent education and licensing accomplishments and if you earned any honors. You can also switch up the formatting of your profile by using bullet points instead of a paragraph.
Senior-Level Profile Example:
A senior high school teacher with over 10 years of experience specializing in curriculum design, team leadership, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). A strong history of enhancing curriculum development and leading initiatives to facilitate cultural awareness and understanding across school campuses.
Entry-Level Profile Example:
A certified high school teacher with entry-level experience specializing in curriculum development, student engagement, communication, and classroom management. Adept at building positive relationships with students to drive personal and academic growth.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
Show potential employers you achieve results in the classroom by using bullet points with your accomplishments. If you already have plenty of experience in a high school setting, there’s no need to detail every responsibility you had. Instead, list your achievements, using numbers and metrics to quantify your contributions. For example, if you improved average test scores or grade point averages, include this data in a bullet point.
Beyond what you accomplished alone, speak to your ability to work within a team setting. Schools are run by a collection of educators and support staff working for the good of the students. Demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with students, parents, faculty, and interdisciplinary teams.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example:
High School Teacher, Charleston High School, Charleston, SC | September 2016 – present
- Teach history courses to classes of up to 30 high school students, tailor lesson plans to student strengths and weaknesses, and provide tutoring to prepare for SATs
- Partner with teachers and the school administration to implement virtual learning and ensure compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols during the transition back to in-person classroom instruction
- Deliver mentorship and guidance to students to prepare for college applications, including letters of recommendation, tutoring, and academic advising
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example:
High School Teacher, San Diego High, San Diego, CA | August 2021 – present
- Deliver instruction to classes of around 30 high school students in science courses, including chemistry, biology, and environmental science
- Coordinate with department faculty to develop and refine curriculum and tailor lesson plans to student needs, resulting in a 15% increase in test scores for science
- Communicate with parents, teachers, and students during conferences to discuss academic performance, behavior, and learning strategies
- Provide tutoring services to students struggling with course material and deliver support for SAT prep workshops
3. Include relevant education and certifications
As a teacher, your education and licensing credentials are essential to your resume. First, list your highest degree, where you earned it, and when. Beyond your required post-secondary education, you must show hiring managers that you’re licensed or certified to teach in your specific state. In addition to any required training, include certifications in specific subjects or specializations.
For example, First aid, CPR, and Basic Life Support (BLS) certifications are all excellent additions to your resume. Or, if you’re interested in teaching overseas or working with English as a Second Language (ESL) students, a Teaching English as Foreign Language (TEFL) certification would be beneficial.
Education
Template:
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example:
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Secondary Education
Boston University, Boston, MA | 2016
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example:
Single Subject Teaching Credential, Science: Chemistry, State of California, 2021
Single Subject Teaching Credential, Math, State of Massachusetts, 2016
4. List pertinent key skills
Stay ahead of applicant tracking systems (ATS) by including appropriate key skills from the job description in your resume. It could get overlooked if your resume lacks the keywords and phrases hiring managers seek. Your skills list, professional experience section, and resume profile are great places to include these terms. Study the list of examples below to get a better idea of what you could include on your high school teacher resume:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Academic advising | Behavioral analysis |
| Classroom management | Communication |
| Cooperative learning | Curriculum development |
| Differentiated instruction | Education technology |
| E-learning | English |
| English language learners (ELLs) | Individualized education plans (IEPs) |
| Interdisciplinary | Lesson planning |
| Math | Microsoft OfficeSuite |
| Science | Secondary education |
| Student advocacy | Student assessment |
How To Pick the Best High School Teacher Resume Template
Set hiring managers up for success with a resume template that’s easy to navigate. Look for a template with a simple structure and an organized layout. Prioritize readability above visual appeal to help readers capture essential information quickly. Although personal style is important, keep colors and graphics to a minimum. The template’s design should highlight your accomplishments and skills, not detract from them.
High School Teacher Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Alex Santos
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, San Diego, CA 12345
Profile
A certified High School Teacher with entry-level experience specializing in curriculum development, student engagement, communication, and classroom management. Adept at building positive relationships with students to drive personal and academic growth.
Professional Experience
High School Teacher, San Diego High, San Diego, CA
August 2021 – Present
- Deliver instruction to classes of up to 30+ high school students in science courses, including chemistry, biology, and environmental science
- Coordinate with department faculty to develop and refine curriculum and tailor lesson plans to student needs, resulting in a 15% increase in test scores for science
- Communicate with parents, teachers, and students during conferences to discuss academic performance, behavior, and learning strategies
- Provide tutoring services to students struggling with course material and deliver support for SAT prep workshops
Student Teaching Internship, Santa Cruz High School, Santa Cruz, CA
September 2020 – December 2020
- Taught Chemistry I and Environmental Science courses to high school students in collaboration with a certified high school teacher
- Identified student learning needs and provided academic support to aid them in overcoming challenges and improving grade point average
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Secondary Education
University of San Diego, San Diego, CA, September 2016 – December 2020
Key Skills
- Classroom Management
- Curriculum Development
- Science
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Student Assessments
Certifications
- Single Subject Teaching Credential, Science: Chemistry, State of California, 2021
Sarah Collins
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, Boston, MA 12345
Profile
A High School Teacher with five years of experience specializing in differentiated instruction, cooperative learning, student assessments, and education technology. A proven track record of coordinating with interdisciplinary teams to enhance curriculum design and drive student success.
Professional Experience
High School Teacher, Amherst High School, Boston, MA
September 2018 – Present
- Teach high school math to classes of 25 to 35 students, including Algebra I, Algebra II, and Calculus
- Tailor curriculum and lesson plans based on student needs and incorporate differentiated instruction to enhance academic performance, resulting in a 25% increase in GPAs
- Conduct student assessments, perform behavioral analysis and utilize cooperative learning techniques to drive student success and personal growth
- Coordinate with faculty and administration to implement E-learning for students during COVID-19, including delivering training sessions for teachers, parents, and students
High School Teacher, Boston High School, Boston, MA
September 2016 – September 2018
- Provided instruction to 20 to 25 high school students for math courses, coordinated with the math department to evaluate curriculum, and created lesson plans
- Attend meetings with students and parents to discuss academic progress, goals, and develop strategies to facilitate academic growth
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Secondary Education
Boston University, Boston, MA, September 2012 – May 2016
Key Skills
- Differentiated Instruction
- Curriculum Design
- Lesson Planning
- Education Technology
- Behavioral Analysis
Certifications
- Single Subject Teaching Credential, Math, State of Massachusetts, 2016
Lisa Hagen
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, Charleston, SC 12345
Profile
A senior high school teacher with 10+ years of experience specializing in curriculum design, team leadership, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). A strong history of enhancing curriculum development and leading initiatives to facilitate cultural awareness and understanding across school campuses.
Professional Experience
High School Teacher, Charleston High School, Charleston, SC
September 2016 – Present
- Teach history courses to classes of up to 30 high school students, tailor lesson plans to student strengths and weaknesses, and provide tutoring to prepare for SATs
- Partner with teachers and the school administration to implement virtual learning and ensure compliance with Covid-19 safety protocols during the transition back to in-person classroom instruction
- Deliver mentorship and guidance to students to prepare for college applications, including letters of recommendation, tutoring, and academic advising
High School Teacher, Burke High School, Charleston, SC
September 2011 – September 2016
- Taught a wide range of history courses to five classes per day with 20-35 students, conducted lesson planning, and utilized differentiated instruction to provide an optimized learning experience based on student needs
- Coordinated with students, faculty, and parents to plan events and workshops to raise awareness on issues related to discrimination, inequality, and cyberbullying
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Secondary Education
College of Charleston, Charleston, SC September 2007 – May 2011
Key Skills
- Student-Centered Learning
- Curriculum Design
- Academic Advising
- E-Learning
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
Certifications
- Single Subject Teaching Credential, History, State of South Carolina, 2011
Frequently Asked Questions: High School Teacher Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for high school teacher resumes?+
Action verbs are a great word choice for your resume because they keep your writing concise. You can use them to describe job duties, achievements, and responsibilities in your professional experience section. If you run out of words as you write, return to the list below. Use these action verbs to liven up your writing and enhance your high school teacher resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Conducted |
| Coordinated | Created |
| Delivered | Designed |
| Developed | Educated |
| Enhanced | Evaluated |
| Identified | Implemented |
| Improved | Oversaw |
| Partnered | Performed |
| Planned | Provided |
| Supported | Taught |
How do you align your resume with a high school teacher job description?+
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job growth for high school teachers is really dependent on state and local government budgets. The BLS does, however, predict a 1% increase in high school teacher employment between 2022 and 2032. Although there will be little to no change over the decade, about 67,000 positions will become available each year as teachers retire or transfer occupations.
Given that most teacher opportunities will come from other people leaving, competition for the best teaching jobs will be stiff. Your resume must align with the job description and the educational institution's needs if you want to stand out.
For example, if a school is looking for a teacher to take over their accelerated science track, you would highlight your proficiency in advanced science curricula and talk about your history of inspiring students to participate in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs.
What is the best high school teacher resume format?+
The reverse chronological format is usually the best choice for teachers. This resume emphasizes a stable and steady career, highlighting your progression over the years. With a natural flow from profile to experience and key skills, the school board will understand what you’ve accomplished and how you did it. A combination resume can also be an effective choice for teachers who would rather highlight their skills and training before their work history.
Expert advice: include a cover letter with your resume
Sending a cover letter with your resume is a great way to improve your chances of landing an interview. Customization is key when it comes to writing a strong letter. Check out our teacher cover letter guide to learn how to tailor your document to the school you’re applying to. See our elementary teacher and special education teacher cover letter guides for more examples.
