Resume Writing for

Teachers

Presented by
Olga M. Lazin
UCLA Counseling and Career Services

A Service of Student Affairs

 What is a Re su me?

■ An accomplishment-oriented
marketing tool

■ Provides relevant information

about you

■ Relates to your career objective

 Goal of a Resume

■ Introduces you as a qualified

candidate

■ Motivates employer to interview

you
 Content

 Brief, one or two pages

 Highlights education & work

experience that is relevant to the job
 Preparation
■ Prepare an inventory of your skills,
accomplishments, education, goals,
and experience

■ Study a description of the position

sought: skills needed, duties of job,
education and work experience
required
Where do You Start?
Try a Chronological Format
■ Date-oriented history of education &
experience
■ Highlights consistent work record
■ Illustrates experiences within job titles
Components of
Chronological Resume
■ Personal Data
■ Objective
■ Summary (optional)
■ Education
■ Experience
■ Skills
■ Honors and Activities
 Personal Data
Pro vi de the Essent ial s
Name

Permanent Address

•Phone number and email address

 OBJECTIVE
 A simple statement of type of job
you are seeking
– A position as a multiple subject
teacher
 Do not go into lengthy explanation
 Summary
■ Three or bullets which highlight or
summarize skills or experience you
want to show recruiter at top of
resume
– Three years multiple subject
classroom experience
– Background in developing recreation
programs for children
– Excellent communication skills
developed through…
 Education

 List your credential, degree(s) with

major, school, date of graduation
 List most recent first.
 Include GPA (if over 3.0), applicable
coursework (if inexperienced), and
special projects where appropriate.
 Experience
■ Include volunteer and paid
experience – anything related to
working with children
■ Highlight accomplishments
■ Qualify and quantify using action
verbs and descriptive phrases
■ List most recent experience first
■ Consider placing experience under
headings of “Related Experience”
and “Additional” or “Other
Experience
 JEAN SANCHEZ-SMITH
5151 Grace Road, Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 222-7777 jsmith5@hotmail.com

Objective A position as an elementary school teacher

Summary . Over three years multiple subject classroom experience

. Work with diverse students; e.g., ELD, students with disabilities, at-risk
. Background in community service working with children ages 5-13

Education California State University, Dominguez Hills

Multiple Subject Credential, BCLAD (Ryan) May 2004
Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Studies, Art Option May 2000 GPA 3.5
Related courses: Child Development, Psychology of the Child
Related Experience
Feb 03-Present Student Teacher, 4th Grade, XYZ School, Los Angeles, CA
Assisted teacher in developing curriculum in math, science, and
reading; directed small and large group instruction in writing and language arts.
Taught special unit on Art. Developed after school homework program.

Jan 00-Jul 03 College Aide, 1st Grade, ABC School, Gardena, CA

Promoted vocabulary development through assisting with literature, sharing,
singing and self-esteem activities. Students included ELD.

Additional Experience
May 01-Aug 03 Sales Representative, Macy’s, Torrance
Provided assistance to customers in English and Spanish; trained new employees

Skills Word, Excel, PowerPoint; Bilingual English/Spanish

Honors and CSUDH Dean’s List
Activities Secretary, Future Teachers Club
Volunteer, Big Brothers, Big Sisters; Kindercare Preschool
Interests Painting, Volleyball, Violin
 Resume Language
 Use formal language; avoid slang
 Do not abbreviate
 Avoid “I” statements
 Use correct verb tenses – present
tense for current jobs, past tense
for previous
 Finalizing Your Resume
■ Length: 1-2 pages
■ Duplicate on quality 8 1/2 X 11 bond
or parchment paper
■ Select neutral color
■ Maintain 3/4 inch to 1 inch margins
■ Have several people proofread for
content, grammar, spelling – Very
Important for teachers
 Cover Letters
•A cover letter will:
Introduce you
Clarify the position for which you are
applying
Enable you to highlight strengths or
address problem areas
5151 Grace Road
Gardena, CA 90247

March 1, 2004
Ms. Karen Fields
Certificated Personnel
XYZ Elementary School
Torrance, CA 90000

Dear Ms. Fields:

Mrs. Claudia Davis suggested I write to you regarding a position as an elementary teacher She felt my organization and
communication skills, along with my student teaching, background as a T.A., community service experience and language skills
would be an excellent (310) 222-7777 fit for your school. Attached please find my resume.

As part of my certification program at California State University, Dominguez Hills, I taught 4th grade at an inner-city school
where I implemented some innovative teaching methods. For example, I developed an Art Expedition where we traveled to various
area museums. I have learned that your school has emphasized education in the arts, and I believe my background would be an asset
in this creative environment. I have also developed an after-school homework program for children who remain at school for
childcare.

I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to further discuss my qualifications, show you my portfolio,
and learn more about your positions and program. I may be reached at (310) 222-7777. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Jean Sanchez-Smith
Attachment
 Tips on Writing the Letter
1. Use the same paper as for your resume
2. The cover letter should be 1 page maximum
3. Use regular business letter format
4. Always address it to a person, not “to whom it may concern”
5. First state the position for which you are applying
6. Tell them how you learned about the position
7. State your qualifications for the position
8. Address any “problem areas” such as your not meeting one
of the preferred qualifications
9. Close it with a statement about your interest and hope for an
interview
10. Proofread the letter very carefully-grammar, spelling very
important, especially to a teacher!
 PORTFOLIO
 Per AAEE Handbook “A well-
prepared portfolio shows your
achievements, documents the
scope and quality of your
experience and training, and
highlights your skills and abilities”
 Portfolios include: Resume,
transcripts, background
clearances, teaching certificate
PORTFOLIO – cont’d
■ Awards, philosophy of education,
classroom management plan,
teaching samples including tests,
homework, worksheets, projects,
your evaluations and letters of
recommendation
■ Be sure to respect student
confidentiality be removing
names.
Employment Resources
■ Student Development Website –
http://career.ucla.edu/Homepage.aspx. Click
on Career Services. Click on PhD
or Masters, or on Education.
■ You will find links to websites for
teaching jobs and information,
particularly Education, JOIN
■ Also links to Education Job Fairs,
school districts in L.A. and Orange
Counties, and a sample resume