How to Write a Teacher Resume
Whether you’re a tenured educator or just starting your teaching career, a well-crafted resume is key to finding job opportunities. To write a good resume, you’ll need to carefully consider the unique requirements and expectations of the educational services sector. This comprehensive guide will help you write a standout resume that shows your skills, achievements, and passion for teaching.
1. Write a compelling profile summarizing your qualifications
In just two or three sentences, your resume Profile should catch hiring managers’ attention by summarizing your top strengths as a teacher. Take this opportunity to brag about yourself a bit and include some impressive facts, such as the number of years you’ve been in the education field or any industry recognition you’ve earned. Emphasize your experience teaching specific subjects and grade levels, or mention specialized programs and initiatives you were involved in that relate to your goals.
Senior-Level Profile Example:
Resourceful Elementary School Teacher with nearly ten years of experience inspiring and developing young minds. Adapt readily to new work challenges and conditions. Master of Educational Studies.
Entry-Level Profile Example:
Art Educator with strong recent work, volunteer, and academic experience. Passionate about engaging students in art theory and practice and helping young people explore their creative potential. Skilled at adapting instructional methods to each student’s learning style. Master of Arts in Teaching.
2. Add an achievement-driven professional experience section
The Experience section is where you can give detailed examples of the impact you’ve made in the classroom. Focus on achievements that reflect the skills your target employers are looking for. Avoid writing a long list of duties and instead take a dynamic approach by quantifying your experience with numbers and percentages. For instance, you could give data on how you’ve helped raise test scores, increase graduation rates, or launch successful programs.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example:
Third Grade Teacher, Topeka School, Topeka, KS | August 2018 to Present
[Well-regarded local elementary school with 300 students]
- Create and adapt lesson plans to students’ needs
- Prepare and deliver regular tests to classes of up to 25 students
- Write detailed quarterly reports on student progress for parents and school administrators
- Piloted successful garden project to complement five key science unit objectives
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example:
Student Teacher, Hollywood High School, Los Angeles, CA | February 2022 to March 2022
- Supported mentor teacher by preparing materials and answering student questions for art classes of up to 30
- Co-developed and executed dynamic and engaging lesson plans
- Integrated Photoshop, Illustrator, and other design software programs with traditional art education
3. Include relevant education and certifications
Hiring managers want to see you have the education required to teach and engage with students effectively. List your education degrees to help establish your credibility and provide a clear picture of your knowledge base. Starting with your highest level of education, list the degree name, institution, location, and completion date.
You can further strengthen your resume by including relevant training and certifications. Whether it’s a teaching certificate, subject-specific endorsement, or specialized training in ESL instruction, credentials show you’re committed to professional development. Format this section similarly, providing the certificate title, issuing organization, and date received.
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example:
- California Professional Educator, State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, 2022
Education
Template:
[Degree Name]
[SCHOOL NAME], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Completion Year]
Example:
Master of Arts (MA) — Teaching
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ROSSIER SCHOOL OF EDUCATION, Los Angeles, CA | 2022 | 3.9 GPA
4. List relevant key skills and proficiencies
Including a key skills section on your resume highlights your mastery and can set you apart from other applicants. This section helps employers see how you manage a classroom, engage students, and contribute to the overall success of a school. Take time to align your skills section with those in the job posting and present yourself as the candidate who meets the school’s needs. Here’s a list of skills we’ve compiled to show you what you could use on your teacher resume:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Classroom Management | Complex Problem-Solving |
| Conflict Management & Resolution | Curriculum Development |
| Differentiated Learning | Emotional Intelligence |
| Leadership | Learning Assessment |
| Lesson Planning | Multicultural Awareness & Sensitivity |
| Organizational Skills | Parent & Guardian Relations |
| Public Speaking & Presentations | Reporting & Documentation |
| Student Engagement | Teamwork & Collaboration |
| Technology Integration | Test Development & Delivery |
| Time Management | |
How to Pick the Best Teacher Resume Template
Before creating your resume, you need to choose a template. The best resume template for a teacher is clean and orderly, with a layout that highlights relevant achievements and skills. Choose a professional template with plenty of white space for readability and visual appeal. You want to impress hiring managers with your background as an educator, not distract them with decorative fonts or elaborate graphics.
Teacher Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Christina Lopez
(456) 345-1234 | [email protected] | Sacramento, CA 12345 | LinkedIn
Profile
Art Educator with strong recent work, volunteer, and academic experience. Passionate about engaging students in art theory and practice and helping young people explore their creative potential. Skilled at adapting instructional methods to each student’s learning style. Master of Arts in Teaching.
Key Skills
- Classroom Management
- Differentiated Learning
- Lesson Planning
- Student Engagement
- Technology Integration
Work Experience
Student Teacher, Hollywood High School, Los Angeles, CA | February 2022 to March 2022
- Supported mentor teacher by preparing materials and answering student questions for art classes of up to 30
- Co-developed and executed dynamic and engaging lesson plans
- Integrated Photoshop, Illustrator, and other design software programs with traditional art education
Volunteer Art Tutor, Radford School District After School Program, Radford, VA | January 2018 to July 2021
[Co-curricular program recognized for excellence in arts education]
- Developed various engaging art projects for students in grades K-12
- Managed groups of up to 15 students at a time
Education
Master of Arts (MA) — Teaching, University of Southern California Rossier School of Education, Los Angeles, CA | 2022 | 3.9 GPA
Select Coursework:
- Blended Learning Experiences
- Curriculum Development
- Identifying and Teaching to Student Differences
Bachelor of Science (BA) — Art Education, Radford University, Radford, VA | 2021
Select Coursework:
- Art Education and Teaching Labs
- Art History
- New Media and Crafts
- Traditional Media
Certification
California Professional Educator, State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing | 2023
Technical Skills
Adobe Creative Suite | Microsoft Office Suite
Roberta Alexander
(987) 654-3210 | [email protected] | San Diego, CA 12345 | LinkedIn
Profile
Dedicated High School Teacher with seven years of experience teaching science and technology. Use varied education methods to optimize learning experiences and outcomes for every student. Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish. Master’s Degree in Education.
Key Skills
- Cross-Functional Coordination
- Curriculum Development
- Differentiated Learning
- Process Streamlining
- Student Counseling & Mentoring
- Test Preparation & Delivery
Professional Experience
High School Science Teacher, The STEM School, San Diego, CA | August 2020 to Present
- Adapt lesson plans and teaching methods to students with different learning styles
- Introduced new ways to prepare students for standardized tests, resulting in higher average scores
- Organized annual tennis fundraiser that generated $5K for the math department
- Designed and implemented a new science curriculum
Technology Teacher, Lincoln School, San Diego, CA | August 2016 to July 2020
[High school with 400 students and an award-winning math and science program]
- Educated classes of up to 28 students in grades 9 and 10
- Served as student adviser, offering social, academic, and emotional support to 9th graders
- Promoted a positive, interactive learning environment at all points
- Created and delivered tests to gauge students’ progress and grasp of complex topics
Education
University of California San Diego
- Master of Science (MS) — Education | 2016
- Bachelor of Science (BS) — Education Studies | 2014
Certification
California Professional Educator, State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing | 2022
Languages
Fluency in Spanish | Proficiency in Italian
James Major
(123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Topeka, KS 12345 | LinkedIn
Profile
Resourceful Elementary School Teacher with nearly ten years of experience inspiring and developing young minds. Adapt readily to new work challenges and conditions. Master of Educational Studies.
Key Skills
- Advanced Teaching Methods
- Conflict Management & Resolution
- Cross-Functional Coordination
- Differentiated Learning
- Lesson Planning
- Reporting & Documentation
- Student Engagement
- Technology Integration
Professional Experience
Third Grade Teacher, Topeka School, Topeka, KS | August 2018 to Present
[Well-regarded local elementary school with 300 students]
- Create and adapt lesson plans to students’ needs
- Prepare and deliver regular tests to classes of up to 25 students
- Write detailed quarterly reports on student progress for parents and school administrators
- Piloted successful garden project to complement five key science unit objectives
Teacher, Washington Elementary School, Topeka, KS | December 2013 to August 2018
- Taught 2nd and 3rd-grade classes of up to 30 students
- Used varied teaching strategies to provide a dynamic and interactive learning environment
- Fostered productive relationships with parents and colleagues
- Developed thematic units of study to encourage students’ curiosity and grasp of interdisciplinary subjects
Education
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Master of Arts — Educational Studies with Elementary Teacher Certification | 2013
- Bachelor of Arts | 2012
Certification
Kansas Professional Teacher’s License, Kansas State Board of Education | 2021
Frequently Asked Questions: Teacher Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for teacher resumes?+
We know it can be hard to find the right words for your past teaching work. If you need more ways to describe your professional experience, we’re here to help. Below is a list of common action verbs for educators to include on their resumes. Consider starting your bullet points with some of these dynamic words to convey your teaching contributions effectively:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Advise | Analyze |
| Collaborate | Coordinate |
| Create | Deliver |
| Develop | Educate |
| Engage | Evaluate |
| Generate | Improve |
| Instruct | Lead |
| Listen | Manage |
| Mentor | Organize |
| Mentor | Organize |
| Plan | Support |
How do you align your resume with a job posting?+
The job outlook for teachers is healthy, with a projected growth rate of seven percent over the next decade. Despite this growth, it’s still important to craft a resume that allows you to shine in a crowd of applicants.
If you have a specific teaching position in mind, you’ll need to align your resume with the job posting. Take time to customize your resume by including relevant information that overlaps with the job requirements. Incorporate keywords and phrases from the job post throughout your resume to show you’re the best candidate.
What is the best teacher resume format?+
In nearly all cases, you should use a Combination (or Hybrid) resume, because it’s easiest for hiring managers to learn about your pertinent skills and experience – it’s also easiest for you to align with your job goals.
With the Combination format, you highlight your most relevant skills and experience in your Experience or Work History section and an Intro section. (This combination of work history and intro content is where the format gets its name.) Your resume intro should include a Profile summary and Key Skills section, but you may also add a Career Highlights or Awards section. By carefully choosing the details for these intro sections, you can (a) position yourself for your target job, and (b) give hiring managers a clear, quick view of what you offer.
Expert Advice: Include a cover letter with your resume
Include a cover letter with your resume to increase your chances of an interview. The secret to an impactful cover letter is tailoring it to the position you’re applying for. Learn how to write an outstanding teacher cover letter with our comprehensive guide. Then, check out our elementary teacher and special education teacher cover letter guides for specific examples.
