Andrei combines academic knowledge with over 10 years of practical experience to help job seekers navigate the challenges of resumes, interviews, and career growth. Through the Novorésumé Career Blog, he offers actionable advice to simplify and ace the job search process.
Updated on 09/15/2025
You're incredible at creating engaging lesson plans, managing classrooms, and inspiring young minds.
You're a superhero in the world of elementary education.
You’re a teacher on the hunt for a new job.
But as good as you are at your ABCs, when it comes to writing a cover letter, you’re stumped.
Don’t worry; even the most experienced teachers can struggle here.
We've got you covered! In this article, we'll walk you through writing a compelling elementary teacher cover letter that will make school administrators sit up and take notice.
We'll cover:
What an A+ Elementary Teacher Cover Letter Looks Like
The 5 Steps to Writing the Perfect Elementary Teacher Cover Letter
11 Essential Cover Letter Tips for Elementary Teachers
Ready to turn that cover letter challenge into a triumph? Let's dive in!
Elementary Teacher Cover Letter Example
5 Steps for the Perfect Elementary Teacher Cover Letter
You've got a clear picture now of what a good cover letter looks like, and you're ready to write your own!
Just remember, it's about following easy steps to make a letter that shows who you are.
Let’s get started:
#1. Put Contact Information in the Header
Starting your elementary teacher cover letter right means you need to include important contact details at the top. Just like you would write it on your resume, use the header of your cover letter.
Here's what to include:
Full Name. Your name should be at the top.
Job Title. Make sure it matches the teaching position you're applying for. With many applications for different roles at the same school, being clear is important—you want to make sure the principal knows if you’re a music teacher or a chemistry teacher.
Email Address. Choose a professional email. A good format is your first and last name, like anna.smith@gmail.com, and avoid quirky ones like bookworm123@hotmail.com.
Phone Number. List your number here. If the job is in another country, include the international dialing code.
Location. Your city and state or country are enough. If you're open to remote work or relocating for the job, make that clear.
Relevant Links (optional). You can add links to your LinkedIn or any other professional websites you have.
School or Company Name. Write the name of the school you're applying to. If you’re applying to a privately owned organization, the same rule applies.
Hiring Manager's Name. Try to find out who this is. Look at the job listing or the school's website—nine times out of ten, it’s the principal.
Location. Add the city and country where the organization is based. You can also include the street name and number if you want to be more specific or it has more than one campus location.
Date of Writing (optional). For an added touch of professionalism, add the date you’re writing your cover letter.
#2. Address the Hiring Manager
After you've included all the important contact information, it's time to choose the right greeting for the person who'll be reading your letter.
Forget the outdated "To Whom It May Concern." A more personal greeting starts things off on a friendlier note.
First, do a little research. Check the job posting, the school's website, or their LinkedIn to find the name of the person hiring for the elementary teacher position.
Use formal titles like "Mr." or "Ms." followed by their last name. If you're not sure about their gender or marital status, just use their full name. For example:
Examples of Addressing the Hiring Manager:
Dear Mr. Johnson,
Dear Alex Johnson,
If you can't find the hiring manager's information, direct your letter to the department or the school in general.
Example Addressing Organization/Company/Institution:
Dear School X,
Dear Hiring Team,
Dear Human Resources,
Dear School Staff,
#3. Write an Eye-Catching Opening Statement
School principals and hiring committees often only take a short time to look over a job application before deciding if they should read it in depth.
Begin by introducing yourself and explaining why you're interested in the specific elementary teacher role. A bit of enthusiasm for teaching or the school itself can make the hiring team curious to know more about you.
If you have teaching experience, start your cover letter with a highlight from your career or a skill that makes you a great choice for the role.
It's really helpful to learn about the school beforehand. The more you know, the better you can show that you'd be a great fit. This tells the hiring team you're not just sending out your resume to every school, but that you're specifically interested in their school.
But remember to keep it short. Your aim is to get the hiring team interested, so they'll want to read on.
#4. Use the Cover Letter Body for the Details
The body of your cover letter as an aspiring elementary teacher is your chance to dive deep into why you're a great fit for the teaching position.
Here, it’s a mistake to just repeat what's on your resume. Use this part of your cover letter to expand on how you've achieved specific successes in your teaching career or to explain any gaps in your employment or how you acquired a key skill for teaching.
Use this section to highlight achievements that show you're perfect for the teaching role. Look at the job advertisement for clues. For example, if the ad emphasizes "innovative teaching methods," you might talk about how you've successfully implemented creative lesson plans in a past role that significantly improved student engagement and learning outcomes.
Tailoring your cover letter to the specific school and role is crucial. If the school is known for its focus on STEM education, discuss how you excel at integrating technology into your lesson plans and give an example. If the job ad mentions a need for "strong classroom management," share a story about how you effectively handled a challenging classroom situation.
Being knowledgeable about the school you're applying to can set you apart. If you're impressed by their approach to holistic education or their award-winning arts program, mention it. This shows that you resonate with their educational philosophy and goals.
Don't forget to express your excitement. Make it clear you're thrilled at the prospect of joining their team and confident in your ability to make a positive impact at their school.
Concluding your elementary teacher cover letter effectively can really make a lasting impression. This is your chance to leave the hiring committee with a positive final thought about your application.
Wrap up your cover letter by reiterating your strongest points. Quickly remind them why you're the right person for this teaching role, whether you can engage diverse learners or your proven track record of enhancing student performance through innovative teaching methods.
Next, encourage the hiring manager to take the next step, like arranging an interview. This demonstrates your initiative and eagerness to progress in the hiring process.
Finish with a professional sign-off. Close your cover letter with a respectful and straightforward line, followed by your full name.
Signing Your Cover Letter:
Please feel free to contact me at my email or phone number to set up an interview. I am keen to explore my application further at a time that suits you.
Warm regards,
Jennifer Donnally
And, if "Warm regards" feels too informal, here are some other options:
You're now armed with all the essentials for crafting a standout cover letter.
Next up, let's polish it with some key cover letter tips specifically for elementary teachers:
Use a Matching Cover Letter Template. Start with a cover letter template that complements your resume. Try our free resume builder and pick one of our matching cover letter templates to give your application a cohesive and professional look.
Customize for Each Application. Tailor your cover letter for each school. Mention specific programs or initiatives at the school that resonate with you.
Showcase Your Teaching Philosophy. Briefly share your teaching philosophy and how it aligns with the school's values and approach.
Add Any Classroom Innovations. Briefly describe a creative teaching method or project you implemented, highlighting your ability to engage and inspire young learners.
Highlight Relevant Experience. Focus on teaching experiences that directly relate to the position you're applying for.
Include Student Development Achievements. Mention a specific instance where your approach positively impacted a student's learning or well-being, showcasing your dedication to student growth.
Express Your Enthusiasm. Let your passion for teaching and education shine through in your writing.
Mention Technology Skills. Schools are increasingly digital. Highlight any tech skills or experience with educational software.
Mention Collaboration with Parents and Staff. Reference your experience working effectively with parents and colleagues, emphasizing your teamwork and communication skills in a school environment.
Proofread Thoroughly. Your cover letter shouldn’t have any spelling or grammatical errors since you’ll come off as unprofessional.
End with a Call to Action. Conclude by inviting the hiring manager to contact you for an interview, showing your eagerness to discuss how you can contribute to their team.
Key Takeaways
That’s all!
You're now fully equipped to write an outstanding elementary teacher cover letter that will set you apart in your job hunt.
We’re sure that the unique qualities you bring to the table are sure to land you that dream job
But before we say goodbye, let’s summarize what we mentioned in our article:
Pair your cover letter with your resume by using an online resume builder that offers matching templates. The sleek design can make your resume stand out from the rest.
Begin your elementary teacher cover letter by expressing your enthusiasm for the specific teaching role and explaining why you're an ideal fit for the school.
Do some research on the school and align your skills with their educational philosophy and needs. Showing your understanding of the school's values will demonstrate that you're a thoughtful and dedicated candidate.
In the body of your cover letter, share specific teaching experiences or educational achievements that prepare you for a role as an elementary teacher.
