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Writing A Cover Letter
General Guidelines
Use block or modified block business letter format; keep the wording
professional.
Send each letter to a specific person - make it personal.
Individualize the letter by incorporating information about the school or school
corporation. Don’t use a form letter for all schools.
Laser print the letter on high quality paper that matches your resume.
Parts of A Cover Letter
Introductory Paragraph
State the intent of your letter. Name the position or type of position you are
seeking.
Capture the reader’s interest in the first few sentences.
Mention how you heard about the job opening, if applicable.
Indicate your knowledge of and interest in the organization
Body Paragraph(s)
Explain how your career plans, skills, education and/or experiences are relevant
to the position and how they coincide with the organization’s needs.
Highlight your strengths and qualifications. Use specific examples to provide
evidence of skills, experiences and accomplishments.
Avoid restating your resume.
Concluding Paragraph
Indicate what actions you would like to have happen next.
State your desire for a personal interview, if that is your intention.
Express your appreciation for the employer’s time and consideration.
Be sure to follow up by contacting the organization personally within 2-3 weeks. This is
to ensure they have received your materials and it will remind them of your interest in
their organization.
Office of Career Connections ■ Indiana University ■ School of Education
For an appointment with a Career Advisor, call (812) 856-8500
http://education.indiana.edu/undergraduate/career-connections/index.html
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Action Words
For Resumes and Cover Letters
Achieved
Acquired
Adapted
Addressed
Administered
Advised
Analyzed
Anticipated
Approved
Arbitrated
Assembled
Assisted
Audited
Balanced
Budgeted
Calculated
Centralized
Changed
Coached
Collaborated
Collected
Communicated
Compared
Compiled
Completed
Composed
Conceived
Condensed
Conducted
Conserved
Constructed
Consulted
Contracted
Controlled
Converted
Coordinated
Created
Cultivated
Defined
Delegated
Delivered
Demonstrated
Designed
Detected
Developed
Devised
Discovered
Doubled
Drafted
Edited
Eliminated
Endorsed
Enforced
Entertained
Established
Evaluated
Executed
Expanded
Expedited
Explained
Facilitated
Finished
Forecasted
Formed
Formulated
Fostered
Founded
Generated
Guided
Handled
Hired
Implemented
Improved
Increased
Influenced
Informed
Inspected
Instituted
Instructed
Insured
Interpreted
Interviewed
Invented
Investigated
Launched
Maintained
Managed
Marketed
Minimized
Motivated
Navigated
Negotiated
Observed
Obtained
Operated
Organized
Originated
Oversaw
Participated
Performed
Persuaded
Pinpointed
Planned
Prescribed
Prevented
Processed
Produced
Programmed
Promoted
Proposed
Protected
Proved
Provided
Publicized
Published
Purchased
Reacted
Recommended
Recorded
Recruited
Reorganized
Reported
Researched
Resolved
Restored
Revamped
Reviewed
Revised
Scheduled
Selected
Separated
Setup
Simplified
Sold
Solicited
Solved
Sorted
Staffed
Streamlined
Structured
Supervise
Supervised
Supplied
Supported
Surveyed
Synthesized
Systematized
Taught
Tested
Trained
Translated
Transmitted
Transported
Traveled
Treated
Used
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Cover Letter Format for Teachers
Your Name
Your present street address
City, State Zip Code
Telephone
Email
Date
Contact Person’s Name
Title
School or District
Street Address
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Administrator (or Mr., Ms., or Dr. if you know the person’s name):
First sentence/paragraph: State why you are writing: specify the position for which you are applying and
whether you saw an advertisement or heard about the position or school through a referral or by reputation.
Second paragraph: Begin with a sentence that immediately grabs the reader’s attention. Briefly summarize
why you are qualified for the position – use examples and specific accomplishments to show how your skills
and experience, strengths and accomplishments will address the school’s and the students’ needs. Do not
reiterate what is on your resume. However, you can elaborate on something in your resume and how it
impacted the students. Highlight any special skills that make you a more valuable candidate, i.e. your desire to
coach a sport, your theater/drama experience, your interest in music or art, etc. If you are a graduate of the
school, student taught or was a TA at the school, mention it in the first sentence of this paragraph.
Third paragraph (optional): Use this paragraph to reveal more of yourself. If you are a career changer, tell how
skills developed during your previous experience will be an asset to you as a teacher (i.e. communication,
management, follow through, organization). You can also state why you decided to teach.
Last paragraph: Express your sincere commitment to education and teaching children. Close the letter with a
request for an interview and include your telephone number if you do not use your resume heading. Conclude
by thanking the reader.
Sincerely,
(Signature)
Your full name, typed
Source:
School Leader Internship: Developing, Mentoring and Evaluating Your Leadership Experiences (Martin, Wright, Danzig,
Flanary & Brown, 2005)
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Sample Cover Letter for Recent Graduate
STEPHANIE ROBINSON
2900 Purchase Street
Purchase, NY 10577
914-323-0000 robinsons@mville.edu
April 20, 2009
Ms. Sara Jones
Director of Human Resources
Summerville School District
Summerville, NY 11111
Dear Ms. Jones:
I am interested in applying for the elementary teaching position posted on the OLAS website.
In addition to completing an undergraduate degree this year, I served as a tutor in an after-school program at
a local homeless shelter, where I helped students complete homework assignments and broaden their
understanding by connecting to the world outside their community. As a student teacher, I created lessons
that engaged all learners by applying a variety of teaching methods and utilizing SMARTboard technology. I
formed cooperative learning groups, organized individualized projects, created learning centers and
implemented learning style research in every lesson. Alternative assessment methods, such as portfolios,
rubrics and performance assessments, in combination with traditional tests, enabled me to evaluate the
students individually and comprehensively. In both my student teaching and tutoring experiences, I met with
parents to keep them apprised of their child’s accomplishments and areas needing extra attention.
Classroom computers present unique opportunities to help each child achieve success. In a staff development
workshop I attended called Problem-Based Learning, I learned to pose open-ended questions that children
could research over the internet. In addition, I have studied and continue to monitor educational software and
websites that address the diverse abilities and interests of children.
I am passionate about teaching children and forge relationships with them that help build a sense of
confidence and enable them to grow as learners. I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to
discuss how my skills and experience can meet the needs of your students. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Robinson
Source:
School Leader Internship: Developing, Mentoring and Evaluating Your Leadership Experiences (Martin, Wright, Danzig,
Flanary & Brown, 2005)
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Sample Cover Letter for a Career Changer
Thomas Nelson
1111 Purchase Street, Purchase, NY 10577
914-323-0000 nelsont@mville.edu
July 29, 2009
Dr. Rosalie Collins
Human Resources Director
Hamburg High School
2233 Division Street
Hamburg, NY 12456
Dear Dr. Collins:
I am interested in the secondary English teaching position for the 2009-2010 academic year. I am well
qualified for this position, possessing New York State certification for English Language Arts (5-
12), a B.A. in English, and a Master of Arts in Teaching, Literacy (5-12).
My experiences as a substitute, tutor, and student teacher have afforded me the opportunity to interact with
diverse student populations and engage them in learning. Using teaching methods that coincide with the
Universal Design for Learning, including providing high-interest learning material, multiple means of
assessment and instruction, as well as the careful modeling and scaffolding of new skills, I strive to ensure that
every student achieves excellence.
In addition to believing that every student deserves and is capable of achieving success, I am passionate about
preparing students for the globalized world that they will undoubtedly face as they grow to be adults. My
lessons utilize any and all technology that is available, giving my students an education in common
technological uses including professional writing and presentations, internet research, web design, and proper
communication. Students are also encouraged to use and create podcasts, web quests, and other similar
activities as part of their authentic learning experience, which engages them in the subject matter and teaches
valuable real world skills.
Through my previous experience in retail sales and management, I understand the importance of motivation
and possess excellent listening and time management skills. In training my sales staff, I created a cohesive
team of people from very different backgrounds, modifying my training style to suit the needs of each
individual. I participated as a tutor through a program at my company, volunteering each week as a teacher’s
assistant in a local public school. It was this experience that inspired me to re-evaluate my career and return
to school to become a teacher.
I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience to further discuss my qualifications as a
secondary English teacher in your district. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Thomas Nelson
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Cover Letter Guidelines for Ed Leadership Students
Your cover letter should
• Be one to one-and-a-half pages in length with short, clear paragraphs
• Single space within paragraphs; double space between paragraphs
• Describe you, not your previous employer
• Outline the realization of the district’s goals
• Show that you have done your homework (know district/school and its needs)
• Be error free – spelling, punctuation, and grammar must be perfect
• Be positive, void of anything negative (districts want positive leadership)
• Clearly describe YOU and give the district the opportunity to assess the match between you and the position
• Highlight (but not repeat) information in resume that is germane to the position and the district’s needs
In drafting the cover letter, you must assess your knowledge, disposition, skill and match to the position and
district. The letter will be the first impression the district has of you and should bring out the highlights of your
resume and your knowledge of the district and position. It is an opportunity to explain and expand your resume
with a sample of your writing, philosophy and vision, and to establish how these conform to the needs and
expectations of the district/school. The cover letter should contain the following four sections.
Paragraph One
• Begin by stating the position for which you are applying
• Include that you are aware of the duties and responsibilities of the position
• State whether you meet all of the qualifications – if you do not, specify which qualifications you do not meet or
indicate when they will be met
Paragraph Two
• Highlight the knowledge, skill and experience that you will bring to the district
• Intent should be to inform the district about what you can offer them for the future as opposed to what you
have accomplished for someone else in the past. Example: state that you bring two years of experience in
administering a primary reading program, instead of stating that you ran the Distar Program for the XYZ District
• Summarize your resume – might include the highest degree attained, total number of years in education,
relevant training or experience, etc.
• Can include further explanation and/or additional information not included in your resume – information about
your background, the types of students with whom you have worked, evaluations, successes with particular
students, other relevant information.
Paragraph Three – Your Match with the District
• Show how your knowledge, skills and experience meet the current and future needs of the school/district
• Become knowledgeable about the history, current issues and future demands of the district
• Analyze the needs of the district and position in light of your experience and abilities – this is the opportunity to
show that you are the right match
Paragraph Four – Thankful and Bold Conclusion
• Offer a thank you for the time and effort the district took to review your application materials
• Request an opportunity to meet to further discuss your qualifications
Source:
School Leader Internship: Developing, Mentoring and Evaluating Your Leadership Experiences (Martin, Wright, Danzig,
Flanary & Brown, 2005)
8 | Page
Sample Letter of Inquiry
Maxine Gerard 42 Read Hall
Bloomington, IN 47405
May 17, 2009
Dr. Ed U. Cation
Superintendent of Schools
County School Corporation
2549 Oak Street
Pleasant Valley, IN 47123
Dear Dr. Cation:
I am writing to inquire into the availability of an elementary teaching position in your corporation. As a new
teacher, I am excited about the opportunity to begin my career in a school system such as yours. I particularly
like what the system is doing with curriculum revision and “Teachers Teaching Teachers.” The type of
challenge and support provided by these programs creates a positive school environment. For these reasons, I
would like to be considered for the elementary opening in County School Corporation.
My Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education was conferred this May by Indiana University. I also have a
reading specialist certificate and anticipate my Initial Practitioner License for Elementary Primary and
Intermediate in June 2008. I would like to be able to organize my classroom much like the high energy
environment I created in my student teaching experience with Mrs. Planner at Cherry Elementary School. The
satisfaction I received from facilitating the growth and development of those young people reaffirmed my
desire to be a classroom teacher. A most valuable part of this experience was the opportunity to be involved
in the “TESA” (Teacher Expectation Student Achievement) training that took place at Cherry during (and after)
my time there.
Through these and other experience in which I participated throughout my college career, I have gained
valuable knowledge that will assist me in becoming an effective educator. Included is my resume which
provides additional information regarding my professional preparation and experiences. Thank you for your
consideration.
Sincerely,
Maxine Gerard
Enclosure
