Elementary School Teacher Resume Example & Writing Guide
- What is an elementary school teacher’s job?
- Why use this elementary school teacher’s resume example?
- How to write a great elementary school teacher resume
- Which key skills are relevant for an elementary school teacher resume?
As a teacher, you’ve chosen a vital profession that allows you to shape the future. Along the way, you’ve learned a range of specialized skills and honed your teaching techniques. When it’s time to look for a job, your resume is the best way to communicate this expertise to potential employers. Keep reading to find out how you can create a resume that can help you get your next teaching job.
What is an elementary school teacher’s job?
An elementary teacher has one overarching goal to help students learn the skills they need to succeed in life. That involves designing effective lesson plans, assigning homework, and testing what students have learned. Teachers are also responsible for creating a nurturing classroom environment.
Why use this elementary school teacher’s resume example?
There are always plenty of applicants for teaching jobs, and if you want to stand out, it’s vital to have an excellent resume in your arsenal. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, never fear! We’re here to help you with some top tips.
We’ll provide you with an example of a well-written resume to guide your efforts. We’ll also offer a few tips to help you know what to include in your resume and where to place it.
How to write a great elementary school teacher resume
Here are a few tips that you can use to create a fantastic resume:
As an educator, it’s essential to show that you have the proper training and certifications to excel in your role. While other professionals might place their education information at the bottom of their resume, you might want to include it near the top of yours, as our example shows.
Before you start writing your resume, try to find out more about the school where you’re applying. Review its promotional materials, read its job advertisements, and visit its website to find out what it values in its employees.
Make a strong first impression with a well-written professional summary. This is a brief introduction at the top of the resume that highlights your experience and most relevant competencies.
Which key skills are relevant for an elementary school teacher resume?
As an elementary school teacher, you not only know how to teach a great lesson, but you also know how to give kids a safe and welcoming learning environment. If you want to highlight these skills, you can do so with a separate expertise section. Here are some top competencies that employers look for:
Curriculum design
Time management
Conflict resolution
Verbal communication
Active listening
Patience and empathy
Lesson planning
Course development
Teaching strategies
Classroom management
Summary example
Driven general and special education leader with a proven history of building equitable, inclusive classroom environments that meet the unique needs of diverse students. Keen talent for adapting and modifying curricula and instructional approaches to align with individual challenges and honor student strengths, interests, and priorities. Trusted teacher/mentor, able to partner with emerging educators to build exceptional skills in classroom management and instructional design and customization.
Employment history example
Head teacher, Experimental Education Unit at the UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, Seattle WA
2015 - Present
Cultivate an inclusive, motivating classroom environment for students with and without disabilities. Leverage equity-based approaches to empower student-driven success and celebrate individual achievements. Lead a classroom team of up to 10, including speech language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, teaching and hourly staff, volunteers, and student teachers. Coordinate instructional plans, course and curriculum strategies, and group/individual instruction pairings. Engage with families and diverse professionals to manage IEPs, customizing program goals to honor student needs and personalities. Deliver and modify general education curricula, creating alternative approaches and strategies to align with diverse student needs.
Partnered with students and families to problem solve and celebrate achievements, building strong bonds of trust and engagement to foster lasting educational success.
Mentored instructional assistants, graduate student assistants, practicum students, volunteers, and undergraduate student teachers, cultivating key instructional skills and emphasizing inclusivity and equity.
Monitored student progress, leveraging data tracking and 1:1 engagement to develop customized instructional strategies that build on student strengths and interests.
Guided cross-functional teams in the development and delivery of dynamic classroom plans, shifting priorities to align with student needs and drive the achievement of unique student goals.
Championed diversity and inclusion as a key member of the Equity Change Team, facilitating conversations and training for staff and advocating for adapted race and equity lessons within student environments.
Led a critical teacher inquiry group with the goal of introducing justice-oriented literacy early on, ensuring exceptional early learning experiences for students.
Graduate Student Assistant at the UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, Seattle WA
2013 - 2015
Fostered learning equity at an inclusive half-day preschool and kindergarten, creating engaging, age-appropriate lesson plans to empower academic growth for students with and without disabilities. Provided class, group, and individual instruction, tailoring instructional approaches to unique needs to ensure student success.
Partnered with administrators and families to engage in IEP and transition initiatives, building customized student experiences in line with unique challenges and academic goals.
Developed and maintained a detailed data collection system to monitor and evaluate progress of students, enabling data-based decision-making for development strategies.
Mentored colleagues and instructional assistants in effective classroom methods, cultivating and strengthening a dedicated, impactful educational environment and team culture.
Education example
Master of Early Childhood Special Education at the University of Washington
Bachelor of Arts in Education, Elementary Education at the Western Washington University
Exceptional Needs Specialist - Birth - 21, Early Childhood, Birth – 8 years
Dual endorsement: Special Education, B-21; Elementary, K-8
Skills example
Elementary & Special Education
Instructional Strategies
Course & Curriculum Design
Alternative & Modified Curriculum Design
Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
Equity & Inclusion Advocacy
Student & Family/Caregiver Relationships
