Teacher Resume Examples: 5 Best Samples & Why They Work

If you are a teacher seeking employment, you’ve got plenty of options.

The Covid-19 pandemic has provoked an unprecedented staffing shortage in schools nationwide.

In a 2022 study, over 44% of public schools reported teaching vacancies, with more and more higher-education jobs to fill.

But just because there are jobs available doesn’t mean they’re easy to land.

Many teachers need help to market themselves appropriately, and resumes only offer a limited overview of what prospective employees have to offer.

This guide includes everything you need to know about writing a top-quality teacher resume—complete with samples and detailed explanations to help you land the job.

Teacher Resume Examples

Researchers agree that an effective teaching resume should be clear, concise, and free of errors.

Additionally, applicants should include evidence of skills like critical thinking, leadership, communication, and imaginative thinking.

The following resume examples will help you understand what prospective employers are looking for in a teacher—and replicate the qualities of a good resume.

Teacher Resume Example

Regardless of discipline and experience, most teacher resumes follow the same basic structure.

Applicants should list their prior work experience and provide tangible evidence of their success in those positions.

They should also include relevant skills, certifications, and volunteer experience.

Use the example below if you are a teacher seeking a full-time position in any academic field or discipline.

Work Experience 1: Advanced Placement Language & Composition Teacher

• Position: Taught Advanced Placement English classes to all 11th graders and remedial English to 12th graders.
• Content: Methodically planned, executed, and modified lesson plans, giving corrective lessons and enrichment when necessary.
• Results: Increased average AP exam scores by 15% through small group tutoring and test preparation courses.
• Additional Competencies: Designed and implemented an 11th-grade English curriculum for four regional schools. Students demonstrated 15% growth in ACT scores.
• Extracurricular Involvement: Coached the Junior Varsity Volleyball team for three seasons, advisor to the Newspaper Club.

Work Experience 2: 10th and 11th Grade English Teacher

• Position: Taught three classes of 10th-grade English and two 11th-grade Business/Remedial English classes for three years.
• Results: Increased average end-of-year testing scores by 22% using interventions and enrichment, increased average English G.P.A by 10%.
• Relationships: Wrote over 100 college recommendation letters for graduating students. Ninety-five students were admitted to universities nationwide.
• Extracurricular Involvement: Assistant coached the Varsity Volleyball team, started a literary magazine with students, and published the yearbook.
• Additional Competencies: Trained two student teachers completing their degrees. Local high schools hired both.

Project Experience

• Curriculum Writer for Regional Charter: Selected by the charter organization to write the 11th-grade curriculum and train other teachers to use it with their students. Students grew 15% statewide.
• Volunteer Tutor: Volunteered as a tutor working with homeless LGBTQ+ students. Student G.P.As grew one point on average.
• Resume-Writing Workshop Leader: Led resume workshops for day laborers in the local area. Helped over 50 people obtain jobs.

Skills

• Organization and classroom management
• Planning, modifying, and delivering lesson plans
• Leveraging digital resources (interactive boards, learning management systems, education software)
• Self-motivation and time management
• Strong work ethic

Education

• Vanderbilt University: Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education (2016-2020)
• Johns Hopkins University: Master’s Degree in Secondary English Education (2020-2022)
• Trinity High School: High School Diploma (2012-2016)

Licenses & Accreditations

• A licensed teacher in California and New York
• Certified in ACT English and ACT Reading
• Certified in AP Language & Composition through CollegeBoard

Why This Resume Works

This resume accomplishes several goals.

First, it showcases the teacher’s key competencies and relevant skills by drawing on tangible examples and providing qualitative evidence.

The teacher includes percentage growth for her students to showcase her effectiveness.

She mentions specific numbers to illustrate her claims fully.

This resume also illustrates the teacher’s non-essential qualities, which are essential in an employment landscape that increasingly prioritizes people skills.

Her mention of college recommendations bolsters her claim about having robust relationships with students.

She also shows her dedication to their well-being by discussing her involvement in extracurricular activities.

Lastly, this teacher prioritizes relevant work experience, skills, and accreditations, keeping the fluff to a minimum.

It’s essential when writing a resume to limit excess text, maximizing your accomplishments.

Student Teacher Resume Example

If you aim to enter teaching, you’ll likely search for a student teaching position first.

While many higher education programs require student teaching experience, the position is often open to those entering the field for the first time.

Use the resume below to inform your student teaching resume.

Work Experience 1: 9th Grade Biology Tutor

• Job Description: Worked at St. Simon High School to provide biology tutoring to students after school hours and tutored over 30 students in biology and introductory chemistry.
• Content: Created, implemented, evaluated, and revised a tutoring curriculum for all of 9th-grade biology.
• Results: 25 students increased their GPAs by .1 to .5. Students grew in confidence, and two formerly absentee students in my group attended school consistently.
• Extracurricular Experience: Participated in color wars with other teachers, planned field trips to local museums, and worked with students to paint and design a mural.
• Additional Responsibilities: Led six field trips to museums across the state, co-led an overnight trip with over 40 students, and participated in the School Culture Committee.

Work Experience: Freelance STEM Tutoring

• Job Description: Founded a business to provide freelance STEM tutoring to students with exceptionalities.
• Content: Developed a STEM curriculum and personalized each lesson to meet the needs of students with exceptionalities and worked with over 20 students over one year while I was in school.
• Results: All students grew on their end-of-year tests. Four students were admitted to top-tier universities.
• Extracurricular: Organized a march for education opportunities with my students and led a protest with over 100 attendees.
• Additional Competencies: Designed and developed a website, purchased an L.L.C., and learned the business’s basic accounting and tax laws.

Project Experience

• Outward Bound: Led 12+ teens on three-week backpacking trips through the Rocky Mountains two summers in a row.
• Babysitting Experience: 5+ years of babysitting experience + after-school tutoring for 2nd-8th graders.
• Small Group Tutoring: Volunteer Science tutor at a local after-school program for disabled students.

Skills

• Patience & attentiveness
• Discipline, Conflict Resolution, Non-Violent Communication
• Small group/tutoring strategies
• Disability accommodations
• Working with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other learning exceptionalities
• Resourcefulness

Education

• University of Wisconsin: Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education (2018-2022)
• Relevant Coursework: English, Linguistics, Educational Psychology, Intro to Teaching, Child Psychology, Teaching Methods 1,2,3.
• Cumulative GPA: 3.7/4.0

Licenses & Accreditation

• TNTP Certified Teacher: Certified to teach Science in the state of Florida through The New Teachers’ Project (2022)
• CPR/AED Certified: Certified to administer emergency CPR and use an AED (2021)
• Wilderness First Aid: Certified to administer wilderness first aid (2020)

Why This Resume Works

This resume highlights a student teacher’s credentials despite her lack of formal experience.

Although the student teacher has only recently graduated from college, he demonstrates his ability to excel in his prospective position by drawing on previous part-time jobs and freelance positions.

This strategic move allows him to highlight his experience despite a lack of formal employment.

Additionally, this teacher uses innovative strategies to maximize his appeal to employers.

Since he cannot provide quantitative data to support the efficacy of his work, he draws on student relationships and qualitative outcomes (like college admission). For those with little experience, this is an ideal strategy.

Lastly, this teacher fills space by mentioning seemingly unrelated competencies—such as wilderness first aid—that communicate specific key characteristics about him, such as diligence and levelheadedness in high-stress situations.

Substitute Teacher Resume Example

Substitute teaching is a problematic field.

For many substitute teachers, stability is hard, and jobs can be relatively unreliable.

If you are a substitute teacher—or hoping to enter the field—you can use the resume sample below to ensure that you land an excellent job.

You also need to learn how to write a cover letter for a substitute teacher.

Work Experience 1: Middle School English & History Substitute Teacher

• Job Description: I provided on-call substitute teaching for all of Brunswick Middle School and taught three subjects across 20 class periods.
• Content: I maintained discipline and efficiency in classroom environments and ensured a rigorous daily lesson. Gave daily formative assessments and reviewed data to improve studies.
• Results: I had a 90% work completion rate and was the only substitute teacher asked back the following year.
• Extracurricular Activities: I coached the junior varsity football team and substituted for P.E. teachers.
• Additional Competencies: I assisted with operational needs and fill in for absent secretaries and office workers.

Work Experience 2: 7th Grade Geography Teacher

• Job Description: I took on 120 students in December due to another teacher quitting. I taught a 7th-grade geography curriculum with a 95% exam pass rate.
• Content: Led whole-group classes and small-group tutoring sessions. Led field trips and created immersive lessons for students.
• Organization: I organized and led field trips throughout the year and organized games and practices for the football team.
• Extracurricular Activities: I coached 40+ boys on the football team and started the school’s first girls’ football team.
• Additional Competencies: Co-advised the Gay-Straight Alliance, tutored ten students after school, and led parent-teacher conferences.

Project Experience

• Football Coach: I started as the first female football coach at the school and was hired to teach. Coached and tutored 40+ football players and led the team to state championships.
• Community Organizing: I led the Gay-Straight Alliance at my previous school and managed student volunteers with the Trevor Project during marches, voter registration, and advocacy campaigns.
• Freelance Writing: Wrote 20 op-eds for a local newspaper and maintained a personal blog about advocacy.

Skills

• Community organizing and leadership
• Fluent in French, Spanish, and English
• Highly organized and systematic
• Effective project management
• Data analysis

Education

• Louisiana State University: Bachelor of Arts in Politics (2012-2016)
• Université Libre de Bruxelles: Study Abroad Program (2015)
• Columbia University:
  • Masters in Secondary Education (2018-2020)
  • Masters in Applied Science of Learning and Special Education (2020-2022)

Licenses & Accreditation

• Certified to teach special education and middle school history in New York and Louisiana
• Certified in Restorative Justice Practices
• Advanced Certification in LGBT Health, Education, and Social Services

Why This Resume Works

This substitute teacher uses innovative strategies to highlight their competencies.

Because a substitute teacher typically cannot demonstrate quantitative measures of success, this teacher chose to highlight other efforts of their efficacy, such as being asked back to teach at the same school.

Additionally, this teacher shows consistency across their work experience, skills, and accreditations.

They care about advocacy, LGBT rights, and social justice; their resume reflects this.

Lastly, this teacher cites skills that may otherwise need to be noticed, such as their fluency across several languages and their data analysis skills.

Dance Teacher Resume Example

Dance teachers’ resumes are pretty different from those of academic instructors.

They typically need to mention physical prowess, technical expertise, and experience in the performing arts.

If you are a dance teacher, you may already have experience.

If you don’t, you can use the strategies in the resume below to accentuate seemingly unrelated skills.

Work Experience 1: Dance Instructor

• Job Description: I taught dance and cardio at a local fitness center. I led classes of 20-30 students in hour-long dance routines.
• Content: I planned and delivered dance lessons for three regular weekly classes. I taught two dance fitness classes three times a week. Set up and break down the studio.
• Results: 4.8/5 star reviews on Yelp and 39 testimonials on the company website.
• Additional Competencies: I provided one-on-one lessons and individualized instruction. Learned to manage the business.
• Volunteer Work: Taught weekly dance classes for physically disabled students at a local high school.

Work Experience 2: Theatre Teacher

• Job Description: I taught Theatre I classes for first- and second-year students. I directed and produced three productions for all of high school.
• Content: I shared expert strategies and technical skills in theatre class. I taught Alexander Technique, Meisner Technique, Method Acting, and dance.
• Results: I directed three successful productions with 100+ attendees. Implemented a GPA requirement for participation and gained 12 students who raised their grades to attend the theatre.
• Additional Competencies: Taught dance for a holiday musical, and two students went on to dance in college.
• Tutoring: Tutored several students in English and Math so they could attend the theatre.

Project Experience

• Actress: 10+ years of acting in high school, college, and small, independent productions. I worked in over 40 different plays and musicals.
• Fire Dancer: 5+ years of freelance fire flow and fire breathing. The school hired me to work at local festivals and concerts.
• Dance Therapy Volunteer: Taught dance therapy to teenagers at a local rehabilitation center.

Skills

• Fluent in Spanish, Competent in Portuguese and Swahili
• Flexibility and adaptiveness
• Imaginative and creative
• Compassionate and attentive
• Extensive knowledge of anatomy, movement, and physical health

Education

• LaGuardia High School: Obtained high school diploma with a concentration in Dance & Theatre (2010)
• The Julliard School: Obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre (2010-2014).
  • Relevant Coursework: Set Design, Set-Building, Music Production, Theatre Production, Alexander Technique, Ethics of Performing Arts, Teaching Fine Arts I and II.

• Indiana University: Contemporary Dance Program (2015)

Licenses & Accreditation

• Licensed to Teach in New Mexico: Obtained teacher certification from TNTP in New Mexico in 2021.
• Yoga Teacher Certification: I became a yoga teacher in 2020 and taught private classes. Expert in anatomy and movement.
• Alexander Technique: Certified to teach Alexander Technique and ergonomic movement.

Why This Resume Works

This teacher only has superior experience in dance education, so she chooses to highlight other competencies that accentuate her relevant capabilities.

For example, although she has little experience teaching dance in a high school, she has relevant experience in other fields outside of education.

The teacher mentions implementing a GPA requirement for her after-school theatre program, encouraging students to improve their grades.

She also tutored those students, demonstrating her initiative, commitment to student outcomes, and compassion.

Although her formal education is unrelated to her desired profession, she finds creative ways to tie her knowledge of theatre into dance, such as mentioning production management and set-building.

Music Teacher Resume Example

Many schools are limiting art and physical education programs.

Music, however, remains a staple of most schools’ cultures, and bands and orchestras are unlikely to disappear anytime soon.

Most schools are looking for teaching experience, music theory knowledge, practical application, and other related qualities.

The following resume demonstrates how you can weave a cohesive narrative around seemingly unrelated incidents.

If you are a music teacher, use the resume below to inform your following job application process.

Work Experience 1: Band Teacher

• Job Description: I taught band to 30+ high school students daily. Led rehearsals after school and directed performances and special events.
• Content: I taught 12 students to play new instruments and helped others develop their skills and music-reading capabilities. They performed at games every Friday and special events on select weekends.
• Results: Three students were admitted to college on music scholarships.
• Extracurricular Activities: I organized and managed over 40 performances. Organized and managed school events and home games.
• Additional Capabilities: I learned behavioral management and began a Ph.D. program while still serving as a band teacher.

Work Experience 2: Music Therapist

• Job Description: I provided musical therapy at a local high school for students with behavioral needs. Taught 120 students in whole-group settings and met with over 50 private clients.
• Content: I taught students to process emotions through music and taught instrumentation and music theory. I managed three student bands.
• Results: 79% of my students graduated—15% more than the overall graduation rate at our school.
• Extracurricular Activities: I managed an after-school concert program and three student bands.
• Additional Competencies: I intervened in crises and served on the dean’s committee to provide therapeutic interventions.

Project Experience

• Professional Violinist: I performed as an expert violinist for 12+ years in orchestras. I continue to perform for select events.
• Music Therapy in Detention: I provided music therapy to children in juvenile detention centers for two years.
• Music Software: I created a music production app in college and sold it to a major distributor.

Skills

• Classroom management and discipline
• Music therapy & therapeutic techniques
• Behavioral intervention
• Conflict resolution, Non-violent communication
• Holistic teaching and creative learning strategies

Education

• University of Florida: Bachelor of Arts in Politics & Music (2012-2016)
• Florida State University: Doctoral program in musical therapy (2016-2020)
• TeachNOLA: Certified to teach in Lousiana (2021)

Licenses & Accreditation

• Licensed Teacher in Florida: Obtained a teaching certification from FSU (2016-2017)
• Conflict Resolution Certification: Certified in conflict resolution and crisis intervention.
• Peer Support Specialist: Certified to support individuals in addiction and mental health crises.

Why This Resume Works

This resume works because the teacher works to create a coherent narrative of his approach to teaching and music.

His resume clearly shows that he values students and works to develop their competencies across many areas of life.

He provides music therapy to help students develop critical coping skills.

Schools will likely prefer you over other candidates if you can demonstrate that you will go above and beyond for your students.

This teacher also chooses to highlight alternative measures of his success.

For example, he cites his students’ music scholarships as evidence of his influence on them.

Lastly, this teacher emphasizes his creativity and passion for his projects, which is always desirable in an educator.

Common Skills & Action Verbs to Include on a Teacher Resume

Resumes are strongest when writers leverage their skills and use action verbs.

Common skills relevant to teaching include anything from language proficiency to relationship-building characteristics.

An action verb is a verb that conveys a specific action.

Doing so illustrates tangible, easily imaginable qualities about you and your work experience.

Common Skills for Teacher Resumes

The following list includes some of the most commonly cited (and requested) skills for teachers.

These include:

• Lesson-planning
• Crisis intervention
• Patience and consideration
• Language proficiency
• Technological prowess
• Organizational capabilities
• Advocacy
• Leadership and community-building
• Collaboration
• Adaptability
• Creativity
• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Passion for your subject matter

Common Action Verbs for Teacher Resumes

Action verbs are imperative because they add imagery to an otherwise ambiguous text.

Consider beginning each sentence with an action verb as the above resume-writers did.

Meaningful action verbs include:

• To coach
• To train
• To provide
• To lead
• To nurture
• To create
• To launch
• To plan
• To execute
• To develop
• To analyze
• To reform or restructure
• To mentor

Tips for Writing a Better Teacher Resume

If you’re still looking for more advice to improve your teaching resume, consider reading the following research-backed strategies for writing a better teacher resume.

These strategies are proven to boost the likelihood of getting the job you want and are easy to implement.

Support Every Claim With Evidence

It’s hard to demonstrate your capabilities in a two-dimensional, two-page text.

It’s even more complicated if you use ambiguous terms like “determined” or “organized.”

Although those terms may accurately describe you, you must provide evidence to support your claims.

For example, if you claim to be organized, mention that you directed and managed an entire theatre troupe as the above writer did.

If you can use numbers and tangible measures of success, your claims are likelier to impress.

Tie Everything Back to Teaching

As you write your resume, consider how each item ties back into your teaching aspirations.

For example, if you were a baker, you can emphasize how your former job taught you patience, meticulousness, and attention to detail.

Remember to emphasize individual details and competencies that relate to the classroom.

You can use the above list of skills to interpret your past experiences from an educator’s perspective.

Focus on What Sets You Apart

You may worry that you didn’t attend an Ivy League or don’t have prior teaching experience.

However, the above study shows that employers don’t care as much about your formal education as they do about your experience—particularly the experiences that set you apart.

Don’t try to fit a mold.

Focus instead on the things that set you apart from other candidates and highlight your uniqueness and quirks.

Stay Honest

This may seem self-evident, but remember to keep it honest.

Many people embellish facts on their resumes to increase their chances of getting a job.

However, your resume is only one part of your application, and employers will likely want you to elaborate on certain items.

If you haven’t been entirely honest, you could be in trouble.

Although you can enhance your qualities, remember to keep them accurate.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you still have questions about teacher resumes, consider the answers to our most frequently asked questions below.

Similar Resume Types to Reference

If you enjoyed this article, consider reading about other similar resume types in the articles below.

These guides can prove invaluable for those in the market for a job.

• Teacher Assistant Resume Sample: Many people start as teacher assistants. Alternatively, you can transition to an assistantship if you need to focus on other things.
• Substitute Teacher Resume: Substitute teachers are the backbone of the education world, and you can often work part-time or on call. Use this guide to learn more.
• Pre-School Teacher Resume: Pre-school is an excellent place to start if you consider becoming a teacher. Use this guide to write the perfect preschool teacher resume for your dream job.

Wrapping Up

Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the foundations of a strong teacher resume, it’s time to write your own.

Remember to highlight your unique qualities and keep it simple.

Additionally, you must check your resume for grammar, spelling, and word choice mistakes, as errors can adversely affect your employment prospects.

We hope you enjoyed this article and will share it with those who need it!

Please feel free to comment below and let us know your thoughts.