Writing Your Resume
Your resume is your first chance to make a good first impression! If you want to leave a lasting impression that will help you land the teaching position you are looking for then you will want to put time and effort into your resume. A resume typically includes a cover letter, an objective statement, education, work experience, and credentials. You will want to make sure that your contact information, as well as your personal information, are at the top of your resume. List your first and last name, email address, and phone number.
Objective Statement
This section is the introduction to your resume. You will want to make your statement clear and to the point. A good example of a teacher resume objective statement is: “Obtain a special education teaching position where I can use my experience to help make a child’s education a positive experience.” You don’t want your objective statement to be long and complicated. Keep it simple and concise.
Qualification Section
Your teacher qualifications should be the section at the beginning of your resume to indicate that you are enrolled in a certification program and are eligible to teach in Texas. You will list the different subjects that you are eligible to teach based on the tests and courses you are taking. For example:
Qualifications:
Eligible to teach Core Subjects 4-8 / ESL under the ECAP teacher certification program
Passed the Core Subjects 4-8 TExES exam
Passed the ESL Supplemental TExES exam
Education Section
Where you went to school isn’t the be all and end all but it does matter. In the education section of your resume, you will want to list the most recent and relevant schools/ certifications. You will want to include your undergraduate, certification programs, and any other pertinent education experiences. This section should be simple and short. It will look something like this:
BA- Child Development- Texas A&U Dallas, Tx 2012-2016
Teacher Certification- ECAP- Richland Hills, Tx 2017
Experience Section
This section is one of the most important parts of your resume. This is where you get to show your future employer your experience in the field you are applying for and the skills you have learned from other jobs that you can bring to the table.
If you do not have experience in the teaching position that you are applying for then don’t panic, that is not all that employers are looking for. Prospective employers are looking for long-term tenure and stability in your jobs, so include the jobs that are going to show you in that light.
If you are listing jobs that have nothing to do with teaching, then you are going to want to relate those job duties to the position you are applying for. Look at the skills that you had used at your previous job and relate them to what teachers must do on a daily basis. By doing this, you are showing a potential employer that although you do not have experience in that exact field, you have experience using the same skills that a teacher does.
When listing your work experience you will want to list them in order of date employed.
Credentials Section
This is where you get to show off all your certifications, awards, skills and specialties. Show your potential employer just how special you are! You will only want to post credentials that are relevant to teaching. If you are working towards a certification then you still want to list it. Make sure that you attach proof of all certifications and awards to your resume.
