Teacher hiring is more competitive than ever. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are 3.7 million public school teachersin the U.S., and each open position can receive 100+ applications. Your resume needs to quickly communicate your teaching philosophy, classroom successes, and the certifications that qualify you for the role. Here's how to create one that gets you to the interview stage.
What Principals Look For
Principals and hiring committees scan teacher resumes differently than corporate recruiters. Here's what they prioritize:
What Gets Attention
- • Valid teaching credentials and certifications
- • Evidence of student achievement/growth
- • Classroom management experience
- • Subject matter expertise and grade level
- • Extracurricular involvement and leadership
What Gets Ignored
- • Generic statements about "loving children"
- • Expired or missing certification info
- • No student outcome data
- • Vague descriptions of teaching duties
- • Non-education work experience (unless relevant)
The Principal's Perspective
"I look for teachers who can show me they've made a measurable difference in student learning. Don't just tell me about your lesson plans – tell me about your results." – Elementary Principal, California
Certifications & Teaching Credentials
Your certification section is critical – it's often the first thing checked to verify you're qualified:
Example Certifications Section
- • State of Texas Teaching Certificate, EC-6 Generalist (Valid through 2028)
- • ESL Supplemental Certification
- • Gifted and Talented Endorsement
- • Google Certified Educator Level 1
- • CPR/First Aid Certified
Certifications that boost your competitiveness:
In-Demand Endorsements
ESL/ELL, Special Education, Gifted & Talented, Bilingual Education, Reading Specialist
Tech Certifications
Google Certified Educator, Microsoft Innovative Educator, Apple Teacher, SMART Board
National Certifications
National Board Certification, Praxis Exam scores (if required by state)
Professional Development
SEL Training, Trauma-Informed Teaching, PBS/RTI Training, Curriculum-specific certs
Essential Teaching Skills
Include skills that demonstrate both pedagogical expertise and modern classroom capabilities:
Instructional Skills
Differentiated Instruction, Curriculum Development, Lesson Planning, Formative Assessment, Project-Based Learning, Backward Design, Data-Driven Instruction
Classroom Management
Positive Behavior Support, PBIS, Restorative Practices, SEL Integration, Student Engagement Strategies, Parent Communication, IEP Implementation
Technology Integration
Google Classroom, Canvas, Schoology, SMART Board, Zoom/Teams Teaching, Interactive Whiteboards, Educational Apps, 1:1 Device Management
Subject-Specific
Guided Reading, Writers Workshop, Singapore Math, STEM/STEAM, Phonics Instruction, Reading Recovery, Common Core Alignment
Build Your Teaching Resume
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Create Your Resume FreeExperience Section Examples
Focus on student outcomes and measurable achievements, not just job duties:
❌ Generic
"Taught 4th grade students reading and math following state curriculum"
✓ Achievement-Based
"Improved 4th grade reading proficiency from 62% to 85% through targeted small-group instruction and guided reading stations"
More strong bullet point examples:
- Increased state math test scores by 18% through implementation of Singapore Math methodology and daily math centers
- Designed and led after-school STEM club for 30+ students, resulting in 3 regional science fair winners
- Mentored 5 student teachers over 3 years, with all receiving "Highly Effective" ratings during observation
- Implemented SEL curriculum reducing disciplinary referrals by 40% and improving classroom climate surveys
- Created hybrid learning materials used by 200+ students during remote instruction, maintaining 95% engagement rates
Tips by Grade Level
Elementary (K-5)
Emphasize:
- • Foundational literacy and numeracy success metrics
- • Classroom management in self-contained settings
- • Parent communication and family engagement
- • Differentiation for diverse learners
Middle School (6-8)
Emphasize:
- • Subject matter expertise in your content area
- • Adolescent development understanding
- • Advisory/homeroom experience
- • Team teaching and collaboration
High School (9-12)
Emphasize:
- • AP/IB/Honors teaching experience and passing rates
- • College and career readiness preparation
- • Coaching, clubs, and extracurricular leadership
- • Deep subject matter expertise
Special Education
Emphasize:
- • IEP development and compliance experience
- • Specific disability expertise (autism, learning disabilities, etc.)
- • Collaboration with general education teachers
- • Behavioral intervention and data collection
Mistakes to Avoid
- ✕Forgetting to include your teaching certification number and expiration date
- ✕Using generic phrases like "created engaging lesson plans" without specifics
- ✕Not including student achievement data or growth metrics
- ✕Omitting technology skills – schools expect digital competency in 2025
- ✕Listing every grade you've taught without highlighting your specialty
- ✕Including irrelevant work experience before your teaching career
- ✕Not mentioning extracurricular involvement or leadership roles
- ✕Using education jargon without explaining impact
New Teacher Tip
If you're a new teacher, include your student teaching experience, substitute teaching, tutoring, camp counseling, or any work with children. Highlight classroom hours, the cooperating teacher's feedback, and any lessons you designed independently.
The Bottom Line
A strong teacher resume leads with certifications, demonstrates measurable student outcomes, and shows your commitment to professional growth. Principals want to see evidence that you can make a difference in student learning – so focus on results, not responsibilities.
Remember: teaching is increasingly data-driven, so include test score improvements, growth metrics, and specific examples of student success. Pair this with your tech skills and any extracurricular leadership. Also explore our nurse resume guide for related tips.
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