Substitute Teacher Cover Letter Example and Template for 2023
Substitute teachers lead classes, administer tests and grade assignments when a class's regular teacher is absent. They might substitute for a single day or for long-term assignments when a teacher is on family leave or sabbatical. If you're interested in pursuing this career path, learning how to write a compelling cover letter that summarizes your educational skills can help you find a rewarding position in the educational system. In this article, we describe what a cover letter for a substitute teaching position might include and provide an example to help you write your own.
In this article, we review what to include in a substitute teacher cover letter, with an example to guide you in crafting your own. Looking at templates and examples of completed resumes can help you find a format that displays your qualifications in an organized and visually appealing way. Once you've chosen a format and gathered your employment information, you can upload a resume file or build and Indeed Resume to start applying for substitute teaching positions.
Sharon Gill, M.Ed
Portland, Maine
771-555-0199
sharon.gill.teacher@email.com
May 2, 2023
Dear hiring manager,
My name is Sharon Gill, and I'm writing to express my interest in the open high school substitute teacher role in the Montpelier Coast School District. As a retired educator with a Master's degree in education and over 20 years of experience in the classroom, I bring a combination of pedagogical knowledge and administrative abilities to the role. Working as a substitute teacher for the Montpelier Coast School District is a rewarding opportunity for me to stay active and engaged n the classroom and to have a positive impact on students' lives.
For the past 23 years, I worked as a high school literature teacher in Maine and the surrounding states. During my career, I taught students a range of literary subjects, including poetry, British literature, American literature and medieval literature. In some subjects, I taught honors-level and other advanced versions of core course materials. While my primary focus has been literature, I also taught professional writing and composition every few semesters. For ten years, I also directed the after-school tutoring program at Northeastern Maine High School, which allowed me to gain experience helping students with history, biology, economics and civics.
In addition to my pedagogical experience, I bring strong administrative and interpersonal skills to the role, which allow me to assume control of classrooms in many subjects. I can quickly review and comprehend lesson plans in basic mathematics, science and social studies, along with literature and composition. Over the course of my career, I've used a wide range of administrative and educational software tools, including Moodle and Microsoft products. I'm comfortable teaching virtual classes and bring my enthusiasm for learning to any subject I teach. While I've never taught languages, I'm fluent in French.
I've attached my resume and contact details for three references to this document. I'm available at any time for an interview and can start in the position immediately. Please contact me if you have any questions about my experience or subjects I feel comfortable teaching. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to speaking with you about the position at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Sharon Gills, M.Ed
To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.
What to include in a substitute teacher cover letter
Your cover letter's contents might depend on the subjects you teach and your experience, but many cover letters for substitute teaching positions include the following details:
Contact information
Typically, cover letters include the candidate's contact information at the top of the document, ensuring the hiring manager can contact the candidate easily to schedule an interview or request additional information. Start with your full name, followed by the city and state where you live. The school district's hiring manager might ask you for your full address at a later point in the application process. Then, add your phone number and a professional email address. Check your contact information against your resume and any other application materials to ensure the information is consistent. Finally, write the date.
Summary of candidacy
Many cover letters include a statement at the beginning that emphasizes their most relevant qualifications, showing the hiring manager that they can meet the job's requirements. A hiring manager for a school system might have more applications than available substitute teaching positions, so summarizing your most impressive traits at the beginning of your letter can distinguish you from other applicants and encourage the hiring manager to keep reading. You might include the number of years you've worked in education, details about the types of schools you've worked at or subjects you can teach.
Related: 7 Powerful Ways to Start a Cover Letter (With Examples)
Professional experience
Next, describe your relevant teaching and administrative support experience. Choose a few past jobs that helped you develop your teaching skills, like being a full-time teacher, college professor or tutor. You might also elaborate on the subjects that you can teach, like high school literature or geometry. While many substitute teachers work in a wide range of subjects, having an area of specialty can make you eligible for long-term substitute assignments in your field. When you describe your professional experience, include information about your impact on students and your motivation for pursuing a career in education.
Related: How To Become a Substitute Teacher
Relevant skills
In the next paragraph, you can describe the key skills that make you a good fit for the position. Because substitute teachers work from another teacher's lesson plans, they use reading comprehension and critical thinking to understand and implement students' learning goals. Their strengths might include organization, prioritization and technical skills, which allow them to use educational software and administrative programs. If you have any language skills, you can include those to show your versatility. You can review the job posting to identify the hiring manager's priorities and include information about your strengths in those areas.
Related: Substitute Teacher Skills: Definition and Examples
Call to action
You can end your cover letter with a call to action, which is a statement inviting the hiring manager to contact you for an interview or to read the rest of your application materials. Ending your letter with one of these suggestions can show the hiring manager that you're enthusiastic about the opportunity, which might give you an advantage in the hiring process. Consider including information about your interview availability or start date or ask the hiring manager to contact you if they have questions. After your call to action, always thank your reader for their time and consideration.
