4 Teacher Resume Examples & Templates for 2024

A teacher is responsible for delivering lessons, assessing students, and creating a positive learning environment. They plan lessons, manage the classroom, and communicate with parents and colleagues. A strong teacher resume is crucial for securing a teaching position. Let’s find out how you can write one quickly and effectively!

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Teacher Resume Example

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Entry-Level / Junior Teacher Resume Example

An entry-level teacher helps deliver lessons and manage the classroom under the guidance of experienced teachers. They assist with lesson planning, grading, and classroom management, gaining essential skills and experience in their first teaching role. 

Let me show you what an entry-level teacher's resume can look like:

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Mid-Level Teacher Resume Example

A middle-level teacher has more responsibility than an entry-level teacher. They develop and implement curriculum, lead classroom instruction, and mentor less experienced teachers. They handle more complex teaching tasks and contribute to school programs. 

Let’s take a look at a great mid-level teacher resume sample:

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Experienced / Senior Teacher Resume Example

A senior teacher has advanced expertise and takes on leadership roles. They develop curriculum, manage classrooms, and mentor other teachers. Senior teachers are involved in training and professional development and play a key role in implementing school policies. 

Let me show you an example of a senior teacher's resume:

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Resume Templates for Teachers

We’ve analyzed 11 million resumes made in the Zety Resume Builder, and here are the top 3 teacher resume templates:

Cascade

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In my opinion, a two-column resume template is teachers’ favorite. With a very readable layout, it’s easy to go through each resume section quickly. Our Cascade resume template is an excellent choice for every professional and will make a great impression on your potential employer.

Concept

Use this resume template

If you ask me, a modern resume template such as Concept is always a great choice. The smart usage of creative resume icons catches the attention, and its simple layout only boosts the readability of your document. 

Diamond

Use this resume template

A creative resume template with a firm header and diamond-shaped icons next to each resume section will not go unnoticed. Diamond has a slightly less conservative layout, but it’s still a highly readable resume template for teachers of all seniority levels.

How to Write a Teacher Resume:

1. Structure Your Teacher Resume Format Properly

The goal of any teacher's resume is to conduct an effective knowledge transfer, letting the school principal understand how fit you are for the job. But before you can educate them on your teaching abilities, you’ll have to organize the document with a layout that won’t get expelled. Hiring managers, principals, and applicant tracking software will appreciate a clean design.

Here’s how to format a teacher resume template:

• Layout: use the reverse-chronological layout.
• Fonts: pick the best resume fonts.
• Font size: make it 11–12pts for regular text and 2–4pts larger for section headings.
• Subheadings: identify each subsection with easy-to-read titles.
• Margins: use a 1-inch margin as a resume border.
• Line spacing: use single line spacing in the teaching resume text.
• Sections: leave lots of white space to make it easy on the principal’s eyes. 
• Filetype: save resumes as PDFs unless the teacher job ad asks for Word docs.

What to include on a teaching resume:

• Header: include your name, contact info, and address on a resume if applicable.
• Introduction: a quick intro statement (resume profile) to whet their appetite.
• Work history: a detailed account of your teaching experience.
• Education: your academic achievements.
• Skills: concise list of teaching skills and abilities.
• Extra sections: round out a teacher's resume with second languages, awards, etc.

Writer’s block isn’t just a phenomenon for your creative writing students. Rather than starting with the heading statement, I suggest you save it for last. This way, you’ll develop many ideas for this introduction paragraph as you write the rest of your resume for teaching jobs.

Having said that, let’s start with the resume experience section. 

Read more about resume formatting: How to Format a Resume Correctly.

2. Start With a Teacher's Resume Job Description

In the upcoming years, kindergarten and elementary school teachers will add 109,000 positions to their rosters. High school teachers will add another 67,100 positions, special education teachers will increase by 33,500 positions, preschool teachers by 56,300 positions, and middle school teachers by 42,200 positions in the same timeframe.

Given the competition for teaching jobs, you’ll need to give an A+ performance in your resume’s work history section. Let’s start by looking at the qualities of a top-notch teacher job description for a resume section.

Here are my guidelines:

• Use the reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent teaching position.
• List each job title, company name, company location, and date range you worked.
• Give 4–6 bullet points describing your past and current job responsibilities and tasks.
• Address competencies relevant to the job by tailoring your resume to the employment offer.
• Try incorporating the PAR (Problem-Action-Result) method to come up with quantifiable achievements.
• Start each bullet point entry with resume power verbs to make them super impactful.
• Mention class sizes and your strongest subject areas.
• Focus on teaching accomplishments rather than tasks.

Showcase your impact in previous teaching roles by including specific, measurable achievements in your resume. Mention any improvements in student performance metrics, successful implementation of new curricula, or awards and recognitions received. Quantifying your accomplishments not only provides concrete evidence of your effectiveness as an educator but also helps your resume stand out to more!

What if you’re writing a resume with no experience?

On an entry-level teaching resume, you can still give them a gold star-winning work history. Just make sure you list the job duties and wins most relevant to the teaching job.

Let’s take a look at some great teacher responsibilities for a resume:

Teacher Keywords for a Resume

• Develop and implement engaging lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards.
• Create a positive and inclusive classroom environment conducive to learning.
• Assess and evaluate student progress through various assessment methods.
• Differentiate instruction to meet the diverse learning needs of students.
• Communicate effectively with parents and guardians about student progress and behavior.
• Manage classroom behavior using positive behavior reinforcement strategies.
• Integrate technology into the classroom to enhance student learning.
• Collaborate with colleagues to develop and improve instructional materials.
• Plan and supervise educational field trips and extracurricular activities.
• Provide one-on-one or small group tutoring to support struggling students.
• Maintain accurate and detailed student records and documentation.
• Implement school policies and procedures to ensure a safe learning environment.
• Attend and contribute to faculty meetings and professional development sessions.
• Adapt teaching methods and materials to accommodate students with special needs.
• Foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills through interactive activities.

Use action verbs to convey your responsibilities and achievements effectively. Here are some action verbs for teacher resumes:

Teacher Resume Action Verbs

• Developed
• Implemented
• Assessed
• Differentiated
• Communicated
• Managed
• Integrated
• Collaborated
• Planned
• Supervised
• Tutored
• Maintained
• Adapted
• Fostered
• Facilitated

Read more about describing your work experience: How to Describe Work Experience on a Resume.

3. Explain Your Background on Your Teacher Resume Education Section

Almost all teaching jobs, from pre-kindergarten to high school, require at least a bachelor’s degree, if not a master’s. No matter your current education level, you need to know how to list your education on your resume if you want to score a job in education. 

Here’s what an education section for a teacher's resume should include:

• Associate, Bachelor's, or Master's Degree
• Majors and Minors
• Relevant Coursework

You can also include the following information:

• Latin Honors
• Relevant Awards
• Extracurricular Activities
• Study Abroad

Pro Tip: Should you include a GPA on a resume? Do it only if it’s higher than 3.5.

4. Include Skills on Your Teacher Resume 

A teaching resume can’t just list any random skill. Rather, it needs to be tailored to this particular school and teaching job if you want to hold the principal’s attention.

Here’s how to include teaching skills on a resume for education jobs:

• Scan the teaching job ad carefully to identify the best keywords to use on a resume.
• Create a general list of your classroom skills and teaching abilities.
• Find teacher skills that match the job requirements from the school employment ad and include them in your teacher skills resume section.
• If your resume doesn't include a few teacher skills from your general list of talents, consider adding them. 
• Use both hard skills and soft skills on your teacher's resume.
• Work in the most relevant abilities into your job descriptions. Don't just say you're a team player, provide proof of such behavior.

Let’s look at some common entries the skills section might include.

Teacher Resume: Skills Examples

• Technical Skills
• Classroom Management
• Behavior Management
• Conflict Resolution
• Teaching Methods
• Performance Evaluations
• Planning Curriculum
• Physical Endurance
• Computer Skills
• Microsoft Office
• Grading Essays, Tests, Quizzes, and Reports
• Disciplinary Action
• Science Laboratory
• Ability to Work Under Pressure
• Collaboration Skills
• Teamwork Skills
• Critical Thinking Skills
• Time Management Skills
• Project Management Skills
• Decision-Making Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Problem-Solving Skills
• Creative Thinking Skills
• Excellent Verbal & Written Communication Skills
• Compassion & Empathy
• Enthusiasm & Energy
• Leadership Skills
• Preparing Lessons
• Field Trips & Lectures
• Geometry
• English Language Arts
• Algebra & Geometry
• Physical Education (P.E.)
• Social Studies & History
• American Literature
• Art & Art History
• Special Education
• Science (e.g., Biology, Astronomy, Geology)
• Foreign Languages
• U.S. History and Government

Learn the difference between the two main types of skills. Visit our guide: Hard Skills vs Soft Skills

5. Add “Extra” Sections to Your Teaching Resume

Extra sections give your teacher's resume a chance to shine brighter than the other educators and job applicants.

Here are a few examples of the best options:

Additional Teacher Resume Sections

1. Certifications Section

Certifications in other industries, such as IT or food service, can add a little oomph to your resume and help you land that job interview. 

On just about any resume for teacher jobs, it’s a must. List your state teacher’s license first, followed by any supplementary private teaching certificates you may hold.

2. Volunteer Positions

Any teaching job is a public service, even in a private school. Adding volunteer experience to your resume for teachers will truly impress the school principal, particularly if that unpaid work was mentoring students or tutoring lessons.

3. Resume Language Proficiency

Do you know a second language? Add the language and your proficiency level to teaching resumes, especially in school districts that are more culturally diverse (it may come in handy for bilingual students).

4. Hobbies & Interests on a Resume

School faculty members aren’t searching for mindless robots. Show a bit of your human side while still adding value to your teacher's resume by adding relevant passions and pastimes. 

5. Teaching Association Memberships & Teaching Certifications

Are you affiliated with any teaching organizations or academic associations? Listing these towards the end of your teaching resume shows the principal you mean business. Here are some examples:

• National Parent Teacher Association (NPTA)
• The Association of American Educators (AAE)
• The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA)
• The STEM Leadership Alliance
• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
• Childhood Education International (CEI)

Whether writing a resume for a student teacher, teacher’s assistant, or kindergarten, extra sections are like bonus points to help you pass this all-important exam.

For more possibilities when it comes to additional parts of a teacher’s resume, see this guide: Best Things to Include on a Resume.

6. Write a Teacher Resume Objective or Summary

As with the opening of any written essay, you’ll assign your students, the introduction on a resume sets the tone for the rest of the document.

This heading statement, as it’s known, can be either a career resume summary (if you’ve got years of relevant experience) or a career resume objective (if you’re an entry-level teacher.)

Here’s how to write them both:

1. Begin with an adjective (i.e., experienced, dedicated, or entry-level).
2. Add your title (Teacher).
3. State years of experience (1, 5+, 15).
4. Highlight your goal (cut costs at Global Support Shack Inc.).
5. Share your most prominent school or work accomplishment.
6. Proofread to zap any typos.

Learn more on how to start a resume effectively: How to Start a Resume the Right Way.

7. Attach a Teacher Cover Letter Alongside

Cover letters are important, especially for teaching jobs. Whether writing a resume for special education, preschool, middle school, or high school, I strongly advise always attaching a cover letter to land your dream job.

How to write a teacher cover letter:

• Format cover letters before writing, just as you did for the teaching resume.
• Come up with a cover letter opening that intrigues the principal from the very start.
• Use the teaching cover letter to talk about your educational background, classroom leadership skills, and school career goals.
• Submit another quantifiable accomplishment or two to score that teaching interview.
• Sign off with a powerful closing paragraph when ending a cover letter.

That’s just the basics, of course. We’ve got the complete guide on how to write a cover letter, as well as what to say in a cover letter to make sure you knock it out of the park.

Pro tip: Looking for a teaching job in a particular school but don't see anything advertised? A letter of interest for a job can help open doors and reveal potential employment opportunities that have yet to be made public.

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Looking for a different resume-writing guide? Check these out:

• Elementary Teacher Resume
• English Teacher Resume
• Preschool Teacher Resume
• High School Teacher Resume
• Math Teacher Resume
• New Teacher Resume
• Professor Resume
• Substitute Teacher Resume
• Education Resume Templates
• Camp Counselor Resume
• Yoga Teacher Resume
• Special Education Teacher Resume
• Teaching Assistant Resume
• Teacher's Aide Resume
• Music Teacher Resume
• Art Teacher Resume
• First Year Teacher Resume
• Tutor Resume
• Academic Advisor Resume
• Assistant Principal Resume
• Best Sample Resumes for All Jobs

About Zety’s Editorial Process

This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

Sources

• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/kindergarten-and-elementary-school-teachers.htm
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/high-school-teachers.htm
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/special-education-teachers.htm
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/preschool-teachers.htm
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/middle-school-teachers.htm
• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/utilize-par-statements-enhance-your-resumes-wow-andrea/
• https://www.pta.org/
• https://www.aaeteachers.org/
• https://www.nsta.org/
• https://www.stemleadershipalliance.org/
• https://www.naeyc.org/
• https://ceinternational1892.org/

Frequently Asked Questions about Teacher Resume Examples

What is the best teacher resume format?

In general, a reverse-chronological resume is the most common and accepted. It means you start with your most recent job and go backward, and is considered to be the best resume format out there. If you’re wondering how far your resume should go, the rule of thumb would be 10–15 years, not more. It will also be very helpful to find out how to write job descriptions tailored to job ads because a targeted resume would always stand out among competitors (and will undoubtedly pass Applicant Tracking Systems). Using a good resume template will ensure that you add all the necessary information about your professional experience.

What skills should a teacher put on a resume?

The short answer to what skills should go on your resume would be relevant to the specific position you are applying for. Look at the job description carefully, and make sure what you add matches the requirements. Typically, recruiters expect to see a good balance of soft skills vs hard skills, so add both. Some examples might include:

• Teamwork skills, are essential when working in an educational environment.
• Professional skills, like knowledge of methodologies and frameworks.
• Technical skills, e.g., familiarity with Google Classroom, Zoom, Canva, etc.
• Language skills, if applicable. Those can also be singled out in an additional section.

How to make a resume for your first job as a teacher?

There are several things worth focusing on:

• Write a concise resume objective to state your intentions.
• Describe relevant academic accomplishments on your resume (if you don’t have any work experience yet).
• Mention transferable skills that you’ve acquired previously.
• Use additional sections to highlight publications, volunteering experience, hobbies and interests related to the field.

Start with a resume outline to make the job a bit easier, or read our guide on how to write a resume with no experience.

What should a teacher's resume look like?

There’s a standard for what a resume should look like:

• Length: 1 page–up to 2 pages for candidates with a lot of experience.
• Formatting: professional font (Arial, Helvetica), 12 pts, 1–1.5 line spacing, equal margins on all sides.
• Resume sections: header with your contact information, summary/objective, work experience, education, and skills.
• Extra sections: training, certifications, awards, volunteering, languages, etc.

Use our resume check tool to get a score on your resume and see what could be improved.

How do you write a summary for a teacher's resume?

To write a classic resume summary (also called a resume profile), start by singling out your most prominent professional accomplishments. Then, have a close look at the job ad, and see which of those features are the best match to the requirements. One of the best resume tips is to write it once you’re done with the whole resume because the information will be easier to summarize.

A summary may also refer to a summary of qualifications.

What to put on a teacher's resume?

What to put on a resume depends on your experience and the potential job responsibilities. Besides obligatory sections (header, summary/objective, job description, education, skills), you can also add additional information on your resume. Extra sections work great for:

• Showcasing certifications on a resume.
• Supporting the Skills section by featuring hobbies and interests on a resume.
• Mentioning volunteer work on a resume.

For more tips, read our full guide on how to make a resume.