To write an eye-catching substitute teacher cover letter, emphasize your ability to manage classrooms, foster positive relationships with students, and implement lesson plans. Demonstrate your experience adapting quickly to new learning environments and maintaining education quality during the absence of the primary teacher. This guide offers substitute teacher cover letter examples and expert advice to help you land your next big job opportunity.
Substitute Teacher Cover Letter Examples and Templates
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
How To Write a Substitute Teacher Cover Letter
A great substitute teacher cover letter has five main elements:
1. Heading. Use a professional template to enhance the style and presentation of your cover letter. Be sure your heading includes:
- Your name, title, and contact info
- The current date
- The addressee’s details
2. Salutation. Greet the hiring manager by name — Mr. or Ms. [Last Name]. If you can’t find the hiring manager’s name, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager.”
3. Introduction. Create an opening paragraph to introduce yourself and convey your interest in the job. Highlight your years of experience as a substitute teacher and call out specific achievements to differentiate yourself from other applicants, such as improving test scores and maximizing academic performance.
Example:
With over five years of teaching experience, I excel in developing innovative strategies to improve student academic performance. As a substitute teacher at Santa Cruz High School, I coordinated with teachers and education teams to create inclusive learning environments centered on diversity and empowerment. I believe that I can bring the same level of success to your organization in the substitute teacher position.
4. Body paragraphs. Start with a paragraph that mentions the school’s reputation or mission statement and why this draws you to apply for the position. Include a key achievement from your teaching career that shows how you align with the organization’s values and needs. Then, create a bulleted list that details your career accomplishments and knowledge of cutting-edge teaching strategies. Incorporate hard numbers and data to convey the positive impact you’ve had on student development throughout your career.
Example:
Los Angeles North High School has a reputation for driving diversity and cultural awareness that resonates with me as an academic professional. In my previous position, I supported key initiatives to drive cultural sensitivity and awareness. I am confident I can help further this mission based on the following accomplishments from my teaching career:
- Taught English courses to classes of 25 to 30 high school students during long-term teacher absences, implemented lesson plans, and collaborated with educators to develop individualized learning plans, resulting in a 15% improvement in grade point averages
- Coordinated with faculty, parents, and administrators to drive diversity and cultural awareness across the school and classrooms, which included planning workshops and school events
- Provided tutoring services to students after school and refined curriculum based on learning strengths, weaknesses, and individual needs
5. Closing section. Think of your conclusion as a call to action. Ask the hiring manager to contact you so you can learn more about the position. Be sure to thank them for their time and consideration.
Example:
I look forward to speaking with you further about how my academic background can aid your organization in driving diversity and inclusion within the classroom. Feel free to contact me for additional information at your convenience. I appreciate your time and consideration.
Best regards,
Aaron Taylor
Substitute Teacher Cover Letter Tips
1. Emphasize relationship building and classroom management skills
Quickly building rapport with students is particularly important for substitutes to create safe and effective learning environments. Due to a lack of familiarity with the students, substitute teachers need strong classroom management skills to deliver quality instruction. As you build your content, be sure to heavily emphasize both of these skill sets using tangible examples from your experience.
2. Showcase cutting-edge teaching strategies
To make a lasting impression on the hiring manager, feature specific teaching strategies and learning modalities that match the job description. If a school prides itself on social-emotional learning, emphasize this in your introductory paragraph. Differentiated instruction, cooperative learning, and lesson internalization are also important to highlight, as this shows potential employers you’re fully up to date with the latest teaching trends.
3. Emphasize diversity, equity, and inclusion
Building safe and inclusive learning environments is a top priority for school districts. Instead of only mentioning the subjects and grades you taught, demonstrate your ability to foster cultural awareness, inclusion, and empathy in the classroom. This shows that you can help students grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
Substitute Teacher Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
Aaron Taylor
Substitute Teacher | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | Los Angeles, CA 12345 | LinkedIn
January 1, 2024
Karen Summers
Hiring Manager
North Los Angeles High School
(987) 654-3210
[email protected]
Dear Ms. Summers,
With over five years of teaching experience, I excel in developing innovative strategies to improve student academic performance. As a substitute teacher at Santa Cruz High School, I coordinated with teachers and education teams to create inclusive learning environments centered on diversity and empowerment. I believe I can bring the same level of success to your organization in the substitute teacher position.
Los Angeles North High School has a reputation for driving diversity and cultural awareness that resonates with me as an academic professional. In my previous position, I supported key initiatives to drive cultural sensitivity and awareness. I am confident I can help further this mission based on the following accomplishments from my teaching career:
- Taught English courses to classes of 25 to 30 high school students during long-term teacher absences, implemented lesson plans, and collaborated with educators to develop individualized learning plans, resulting in a 15% improvement in grade point averages
- Coordinated with faculty, parents, and administrators to drive diversity and cultural awareness across the school and classrooms, which included planning workshops and school events
- Provided tutoring services to students after school and refined curriculum based on learning strengths, weaknesses, and individual needs
I look forward to speaking with you further about how my academic background can aid your organization in driving diversity and inclusion within the classroom. Feel free to contact me for additional information at your convenience. I appreciate your time and consideration.
Best regards,
Aaron Taylor
Substitute Teacher Cover Letter FAQs
1. Why should I include a substitute teacher cover letter?-
While a cover letter is not always required for substitute teaching positions, it can help to bolster your application. Even for a short-term teaching assignment, schools want to ensure their students are receiving quality instruction during the teacher’s absence. The cover letter allows you to engage with hiring managers differently than the resume, emphasizing unique aspects of who you are as a teacher and education professional.
2. How long should my substitute teacher cover letter be?-
It’s best to keep your cover letter concise and focused, as an excess amount of content might overwhelm the reader. Limit your cover letter to only three to four paragraphs, with an emphasis on the most relevant and impressive aspects of your teaching experience.
3. How do I make my substitute teacher cover letter stand out?-
To make your cover letter shine, you need to tell your unique story as an educator. Convey your passion and commitment to enriching the lives of students and helping them grow. Providing specific details of your personal experiences as a teacher will always be more impactful than simply listing vague job duties.
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