school teacher skills for resume

19 Skills a Teacher Should List on a Resume (A to Z List)

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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Examples of teaching skills needed to be successful in today’s classrooms include: leadership, communication, multitasking, patience, and reflectiveness.

When adding these skills to a teacher resume, you can list these in two categories: ‘soft skills’ and ‘hard skills’. We’ve listed which type of skill each is below.

Be sure your teaching resume highlights some of the skills listed below, and discuss how they will benefit the students in your classroom.

For content specifically about soft skills, see soft skills for teachers .

A to Z List of Skills for a Teacher Resume

1. communication.

Type: Soft Skill

Teachers need to be able to communicate in the classroom as well as with colleagues, parents, and administration.

Show prospective employers that you are able to effectively communicate with parents in-person.  Examples of communication skills include your ability to speak professionally and articulately, as well as your ability to be an empathetic listener. 

Teachers will also be required to communicate through different media formats such as Google Classroom, Canvas, Edutopia, or any other required website by your district.

Be sure you are informing prospective employers that you are savvy in communicating your class objectives, standards, and assignments in an easy-to-use media format for parents and administrators.

A teacher who has dynamic communication skills will stand out as a candidate that school districts can trust to effectively reach all members of a learning community.

You Might Also Like: Teaching Philosophy Statement Examples

2. Computer Skills

Type: Hard Skill

Technology is here to stay in education. Feature how you use technology in your classroom to make yourself stand out on a resume.

If you use a smart board, projector, online classrooms, or technology in general to drive your instruction, make this stand out on your resume.  In the real world your students will be using computer skills in any or all future job opportunities. 

For example, a student might have to access google classroom in order to access a text and assignment for the day. In math, a group might be working on a shared online document to create a graphing presentation. In Science, students could be using project-based learning to demonstrate their understanding of skills or concepts taught in your class.

A resume that doesn’t highlight a teacher’s ability to incorporate and promote computer skills in their classroom will simply be overlooked.  It is no longer a skill you can go without in the classroom.

3. Creativity

Administrators love hearing new ideas for successful lesson planning and teaching. Demonstrating how you provide a creative spin to older teaching practices is a fantastic way to stand out on your resume.

Creativity can be highlighted in many different parts of your teaching style : how you develop unique lessons, how you informally assess students during class to drive your instruction, innovative solutions you have to common behavioral problems in your classroom, how you support students in sharing ideas and communicating, etc. 

Any way you can offer new insights for common practices in the classroom that lead to student success will highlight your ability to be creative.

For example, a teacher who uses a peer learning strategy that allows their students to read multiple examples of their classmates would showcase that you understand that exposure to multiple examples increases student understanding of writing skills. 

Provide specific examples of how your teaching practices go beyond normal expectations in a classroom setting and highlight the benefits of those examples for your students. This will prove your ability to be creative on your resume.

You Might Also Like: Teacher Vision Statement Examples

4. Cultural Competence

Diversity in education cannot be overlooked.  Your resume needs to prove you can connect with and include to a multitude of cultural backgrounds in your classroom.

An English teacher might discuss the multicultural literature they use during their lesson plans to allow their students to see themselves within the stories and topics they are discussing, for example.

Any teacher can include cultural competence by promoting and respecting dynamic cultural differences of their students in the classroom.

Your resume should highlight how you allow your students to share their personal stories and how you, as their teacher, both formally and informally recognize those differences.

One tip would be to outline how you reach out to students at the beginning of the year and allow them to share their cultures and experiences before diving into any given curriculum.

Cultural competence cannot be overlooked on your resume.  You need to prove your ability to be culturally aware, and how you encourage students to be aware and accepting of their peers’ cultural differences. 

5. Goal Setting

Goal setting for teachers involves making sure you have short-term and long-term plans, as well as knowledge of the steps required to get there.

This is required because teachers need to be able to create a coherent unit of work to get students from their prior knowledge to mastery of a topic.

Your resume should outline how you set goals for yourself and your students, the tasks you need to accomplish, how you minimize distractions, and your overall plan for accomplishing your daily activities successfully.

6. Leadership

Teachers are leaders inside the classroom and in the school community. 

In the classroom, teachers lead groups all day long . They need a leader’s negotiating skills with students while also being able to assert their authority in the classroom.

They might also train and mentor younger and less experienced teachers and help parents with child development information that can help them raise their children.

In the school community, teachers participate in school committees where they develop educational programs and school policies. will usually be more sought after than a candidate focused solely on their classroom instruction.

School districts also have many leadership positions that need to be filled outside of the classroom, including:

• school improvement plans,
• curriculum planning,
• policy and procedure development,
• behavioral programs, etc. 

Market your leadership skills on your resume by showing times when you have been a leader in and outside of the school context. Showcasing these leadership skills are sure to get you closer to securing an interview spot.   

7. Lesson Planning

Lesson planning is a skill specific to our profession. It involves the ability to lay out not just what you will teach but how you will teach it.

Many employers now ask to see samples of lesson plans appended to resumes. If this is required, make sure you list your teaching strategies and be aware of the layout of the classroom. Your lesson plan should answer questions like:

• Where is the teacher standing?
• Are the students in groups or working independently?
• What will be the pacing of the lesson?
• How will you transition into and out of phases of the lesson?
• What education theories are you relying on while executing this lesson?

8. Math Skills

Even if you are not a math teacher you can still easily highlight your math skills on a teaching resume.

Data-driven instruction is a major theme in successful classrooms.  Be sure to demonstrate how you collect data from your students in regards to skills they are working on in class. Questions you might get in an interview may include:

• How do you organize student data?
• How do you interpret data to drive your instruction for your next lesson plan or unit? 

Outlining these components on your day-to-day data collection and assessment will showcase your math skills, even if you are an English teacher.

You can even provide an example of your data collection on an anonymous student and describe how you might interpret that data to a parent or guardian so they can better understand their child’s progress in your class. 

Even if you aren’t a math or science teacher, math and data collection should still be a driving force in your teaching.  Prove this on your resume and you’ll easily showcase your math skills!

9. Multitasking

Your resume should lay out your ability to facilitate the many roles teachers play in their classroom.

In a single class, a teacher will take attendance, engage students, provide materials, introduce assignments, give directions, document behaviors, informally assess student understanding, reteach, and the list goes on!

There is no end to the amount of tasks a teacher may or may not perform in a single class period, let alone an entire day. 

Your resume needs to display your ability to handle the ever-changing needs of your students on a daily basis.  This includes both instruction and social emotional needs of your students. 

Be sure your employer knows that you understand the complexity of what happens in a classroom on a daily basis by giving examples of your ability to handle and adapt to the ever-changing environment of your classroom.

See More: 25 Examples of Multitasking

10. Patience

Teaching is the most patient of professions. Often times, you need to sit patiently with a student for a long time before they finally have the ‘light bulb’ moment they need.

A patient educator needs to be able to change up their pedagogy to match the needs of the student. For example, they should identify when a student is struggling with your teaching modalities and switch them up to a modality that is more beneficial for the student.

If you can, provide examples of past experiences where you’ve demonstrated patience and the positive outcomes that came from those experiences.  Real examples of how you can be patient in an academic setting will set you apart from other candidates.

11. Problem Solving

Being able to identify a problem, determine the cause of the problem, and initiate possible solutions to a problem are a prominent skills for any teacher and should be showcased on your resume.

Problems will appear throughout a teacher’s day. Problems with technology, problems with parents, problems with student behaviors, and student learning difficulties are all examples of issues teachers will need to face. 

‘Putting out fires’ and finding solutions for both your own problems and the problems of your students are therefore central skills. 

Showcases this to employers as a way to enhance your resume. Make sure you demonstrate you are capable of finding solutions for a variety of situations that could occur in any teacher’s day-to-day encounters.

Be sure your resume discusses your problem-solving skills with simple examples and solutions to ensure your prospective employer understands you fully acknowledge that all competent teachers can problem solve.

12. Punctuality

A classroom full of unsupervised students can lead to catastrophe. So be sure your employer is aware of your ability to be on time.

Being punctual to your classes at the start of the school day is necessary for the wellbeing of the students within the school. Teacher presence is often seen as one of the most important aspects of keeping students’ good behavior.

Beyond student supervision, you should be demonstrating to your employer that you are a candidate that they can count on to show up. Nothing is worse for administration than scrambling to find a last-minute substitute for a teacher who doesn’t show up on time to work.

Furthermore, nothing is worse for one of your colleagues than being called out of their planned period to substitute because you were a no-show! No one wants a colleague like that.

Your resume should prove you are accountable and that you will be present every day for your colleagues and your students. 

13. Reflectiveness

A reflective teacher is one who pauses at the end of the lesson and reflects on how it went. By being reflective, they can continually learn from their experiences and improve.

One way teachers show reflectiveness is to discuss how the use students’ formative assessments to plan future assessments.

Once learning is assessed teachers then need to plan their next lessons based on student mastery and determine whether they require interventions for greater understanding or enrichment opportunities for continued growth within a skill. 

One way you can accomplish this is discussing how you might incorporate reteaching strategies when students are not yet reaching mastery for a task that you previously planned to move on from.

14. Resilience

Teachers need to be able to quickly recover from difficulties in their day-to-day jobs. 

Things aren’t going to go right for you. There will always be issues that you could have solved better, and prickly parents who you need to deal with regularly.

Much like a teacher’s ability to problem solve and find solutions, teachers need to quickly bounce back after handling problems.

For instance, a teacher may receive an email in the middle of day outlining a parent complaint where their practice or skills are put down or diminished. Oftentimes, teachers must quickly adapt and continue meeting the needs of their students after facing such scrutiny.

Your resume could include a glimpse into how you might recover from such situations and your plan for growth and improvement. If you have specific examples of your previous resilience in your teaching experience, be sure to highlight these on your resume.

15. Social and Emotional Intelligence

Demonstrating your ability to be are aware of your own feelings, including your strengths and weaknesses, will prove your social and emotional intelligence.

Incorporating social emotional intelligence on your resume is simple. It can be outlined in your ability to communicate, problem solve, and self-assess your work.  

Be sure that you offer examples of both what you excel at in the classroom and what you need to work on.  When discussing what you need to improve on, be sure to include how you will make those improvements and the benefits they will have in your classroom and for your students.

Another way to include social emotional intelligence is your ability to be responsive to your students’ social emotional status within your classroom.

Provide examples for when you understood a student was struggling and provided them with resources needed to support them.

A student who may have struggled to pay attention might be struggling with hunger.  As a teacher, you were able to find them resources for free breakfast and lunch at school is a dynamite way to highlight your social emotional intelligence.

Highlighting your own social emotional intelligence and your ability to recognize social emotional cues in your students will give you an edge on your resume.

See More: Examples of High Emotional Intelligence

16. Subject-Specific Knowledge

Subject-specific knowledge is the hard skill of knowing not how to teach, but what you’re teaching .

A math teacher needs to have excellent math skills, a physics teacher must be excellent at physics, and a woodworking teacher needs excellent skills with a lathe!

One way to demonstrate excellent subject-specific knowledge is to show how you’ve used your subject-specific knowledge in your work prior to becoming a teacher.

17. Teamwork

Being a skilled team member is one of the most crucial parts of being a stellar educator. 

In order to efficiently meet the needs of diverse learners, teamwork is crucial.

Current trends in teamwork for schools include just that: teams of teachers who teach the same group of students.

One example is a school who has all core teachers (Math, Social Studies, Science, and English) overseeing the education of the same group of students.

These teachers will communicate on a daily or weekly basis on the needs of individual students including:  their success in classes, behavioral issues, social emotional needs, special education needs, etc. 

Teams of teachers should be able to observe and provide interventions for students struggling when they work together to meet student needs.  A greater impact can be made on a students’ success in the classroom when there’s a team of teachers in that student’s corner.

Exemplifying your ability to work on a team in an educational setting is a great way to increase merit on your teaching resume.

18. Time Management

In teaching you will not be seen as a viable potential employee if you cannot demonstrate your ability to organize and plan your time.

We live in a time where the crowded curriculum means we need to leverage every moment of the day. If we don’t, we’ll never get through all the teaching we need to get done by the end of the school year.

19. Writing Skills

There’s nothing worse than a teacher who sends home a newsletter with spelling mistakes all over it. It undermines your credibility as an educator!

Your resume is the first look your potential employer has of your writing skills. Make sure it’s impeccable.

You could also explicitly discuss your writing skills. For example, you could provide examples of how you model writing in your classroom, regardless of your discipline. Writing is, after all, a general academic skill that all students need. 

Remember, your resume itself will showcase your writing skills.  Be sure you have proofread your resume and that your writing is grammatically correct, formatted efficiently, and is easy to navigate for potential employers.

Go Deeper: Writing Skills Examples

Soft Skills vs Hard Skills

Soft skills are generalizable skills that are difficult to measure whereas hard skills are specific skills required in a profession, which are generally quantifiably measurable.

1. Soft skills are skills that are general in nature and can be transferrable across different professions. They are usually not quantitatively measurable. Examples include communication and leadership skills.

Soft skills also often require use of emotional intelligence to get them done. In other words, they often involve navigating complex social situations (although not always).

2. Hard skills are skills that are specific for tasks rather than generalist. They’re usually quantifiable and relate directly to your profession. For example, creating lesson plans is a measurable skill (you produce something at the end) and one that is specifically for the teaching profession.

Common Interview Questions for Teachers

• How would you handle a disruptive student? I would answer this by highlighting the important to stay calm and patient, show concern for the student’s needs, and work together with the student, parents, and support staff to ensure the student is comfortable in the learning environment to minimize disruptive behavior going forward.
• What is your teaching style? Most teachers would answer this with reference to active learning , placing an emphasis on situated learning , or achieving differentiation (see: examples of differentiated instruction ).
• How do you plan to contribute to the learning culture at our school? Emphasize your ability to support other teachers, demonstrating high-standards to be a good role model to all students, and your enthusiasm to participate in co-curricular and extracurricular activities.

While the skills included in this article can seem overwhelming, remember that many of these skills are layered within each other and can be incorporated together in different aspects of your resume. 

Time management, patience, resilience, and problem solving are all skills that piggyback off of one another.  You likely won’t have one without touching on some of the others.

Work to group or highlight skills included in this article together.

Most importantly, remember to always make the forefront of your resume about the students.  Highlight how your skills enhance their learning.

The focus should always be on how you can increase student success in your classroom both academically and as citizens.  Teaching is really about the skills you have that make your students thrive!

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 10 Reasons you’re Perpetually Single
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 20 Montessori Toddler Bedrooms (Design Inspiration)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 21 Montessori Homeschool Setups
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 101 Hidden Talents Examples

1 thought on “19 Skills a Teacher Should List on a Resume (A to Z List)”

Excellent Article! Thank you for sharing. Fred

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Top 20 Teacher Skills for Resume – How to Highlight, Examples

• Resume Format
• November 6, 2024
• Resume Skills

Teacher Skills for Resume : In today’s competitive job market, showcasing the right skills on your resume is crucial for teachers aiming to stand out. With the education sector evolving rapidly, it’s essential to highlight both traditional and modern competencies that demonstrate your ability to engage students and foster a positive learning environment. This article delves into the top 20 teacher skills that can elevate your resume and make a lasting impression on potential employers.

From classroom management to innovative teaching methods, these skills reflect your adaptability and commitment to student success. We’ll provide practical examples and tips on how to effectively incorporate these skills into your resume, ensuring that your qualifications shine through.

By mastering the art of presenting your skills, you can confidently position yourself as a top candidate in the education field. Let’s explore these essential teacher skills and discover how to articulate them effectively to capture the attention of hiring committees.

What are Teacher Skills

Teacher skills encompass a range of abilities essential for effective education. These include strong communication, classroom management, adaptability, and empathy. Additionally, critical thinking, creativity, and subject knowledge enhance lesson delivery. Building relationships with students fosters a positive learning environment, while continuous professional development ensures teachers stay updated with educational trends and techniques.

Why Teacher Skills Important

Teacher skills are essential for fostering a productive learning environment and ensuring student success. Effective educators possess a diverse skill set that enables them to engage students, adapt to various learning styles, and create a positive classroom atmosphere. Here are key reasons why teacher skills are crucial:

• Enhanced Student Engagement : Skilled teachers know how to capture students’ attention and maintain their interest, making lessons more enjoyable and effective.
• Adaptability : Every classroom is unique. Teachers with strong skills can adjust their teaching methods to meet the diverse needs of their students, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
• Effective Communication : Clear communication helps students understand complex concepts. Skilled teachers can convey information in ways that resonate with their audience.
• Classroom Management : Strong organizational and management skills allow teachers to maintain a conducive learning environment, minimizing disruptions and maximizing instructional time.
• Critical Thinking Development : Teachers who encourage critical thinking help students develop problem-solving skills, preparing them for real-world challenges.
• Building Relationships : Strong interpersonal skills enable teachers to connect with students, fostering trust and a sense of belonging that enhances learning.
• Continuous Improvement : Skilled educators are committed to their professional development, staying updated with the latest teaching strategies and educational technologies.

In summary, teacher skills are vital for creating an effective learning experience, shaping students’ futures, and contributing to a thriving educational community. Investing in teacher development ultimately benefits students and society as a whole.

List of 20 Teacher Skills for Resume

• Classroom Management
• Lesson Planning
• Communication Skills
• Adaptability
• Conflict Resolution
• Time Management
• Technology Integration
• Assessment and Evaluation
• Differentiated Instruction
• Collaboration
• Critical Thinking
• Organization
• Public Speaking
• Curriculum Development
• Student Engagement
• Cultural Competence

Professional Development

Top required teacher skills for resume.

• Classroom Management Effectively maintaining a productive learning environment by establishing rules, routines, and expectations. Skilled in managing diverse student behaviors, promoting respect, and fostering a positive atmosphere that encourages engagement and minimizes disruptions.
• Lesson Planning Creating structured, engaging, and differentiated lesson plans that align with curriculum standards. Incorporates diverse teaching methods and assessments to cater to various learning styles, ensuring all students grasp key concepts and skills.
• Communication Skills Articulating ideas clearly and effectively to students, parents, and colleagues. Proficient in both verbal and written communication, fostering open dialogue and collaboration to enhance the educational experience and address concerns promptly.
• Adaptability Quickly adjusting teaching strategies and materials to meet the evolving needs of students. Embraces change and remains flexible in response to new challenges, ensuring all learners receive the support they require for success.
• Assessment and Evaluation Designing and implementing various assessment tools to measure student progress. Analyzing data to inform instructional decisions, providing constructive feedback, and adapting teaching methods to enhance learning outcomes.
• Technology Integration Incorporating technology into the classroom to enhance learning experiences. Proficient in using educational software, online resources, and interactive tools to engage students and facilitate collaborative learning.
• Cultural Competence Understanding and respecting diverse cultural backgrounds and perspectives. Fostering an inclusive classroom environment that values diversity, promotes equity, and encourages students to share their unique experiences.
• Collaboration Working effectively with colleagues, administrators, and parents to support student learning. Engaging in team-based initiatives, sharing resources, and contributing to a positive school culture that prioritizes student success.
• Creativity Developing innovative teaching strategies and activities that capture student interest. Utilizing creative problem-solving techniques to engage learners and encourage critical thinking, making lessons memorable and impactful.
• Conflict Resolution Navigating and resolving conflicts among students in a constructive manner. Employing mediation techniques and promoting empathy, ensuring a harmonious classroom environment conducive to learning.
• Empathy Understanding and addressing the emotional and academic needs of students. Building strong relationships based on trust and support, fostering a safe space where students feel valued and motivated to learn.
• Time Management Effectively organizing and prioritizing tasks to maximize productivity. Balancing lesson preparation, grading, and administrative duties while ensuring ample time for student engagement and support.
• Subject Matter Expertise Possessing in-depth knowledge of the subject area taught. Staying current with educational trends and research, ensuring that lessons are relevant, accurate, and aligned with best practices.
• Motivational Skills Inspiring and encouraging students to achieve their potential. Utilizing positive reinforcement, goal-setting, and personalized feedback to cultivate a growth mindset and foster intrinsic motivation.
• Professional Development Engaging in continuous learning to enhance teaching practices. Actively seeking out workshops, conferences, and courses to stay informed about educational advancements and improve instructional effectiveness.
• Parent Engagement Building strong relationships with parents to support student learning. Communicating regularly about student progress, addressing concerns, and involving parents in the educational process to create a collaborative support system.
• Critical Thinking Encouraging students to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information. Designing activities that promote inquiry-based learning and foster independent thought, preparing students for real-world problem-solving.
• Behavioral Intervention Implementing strategies to support students with behavioral challenges. Developing individualized plans and collaborating with specialists to promote positive behavior and enhance the overall classroom environment.
• Mentorship Providing guidance and support to students in their academic and personal development. Acting as a role model, fostering resilience, and encouraging students to pursue their interests and aspirations.
• Public Speaking Delivering clear, engaging presentations to students and stakeholders. Skilled in conveying information confidently and effectively, enhancing understanding and encouraging active participation in discussions.

How to Highlight Teacher Skills on Resume

Highlighting Teacher Skills on a resume is essential for standing out in a competitive job market. A well-crafted resume showcases your abilities and experiences, making it easier for hiring managers to recognize your qualifications. Here are effective ways to emphasize your Teacher Skills:

• Tailor Your Resume : Customize your resume for each job application by aligning your Teacher Skills with the specific requirements of the position. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate your fit.
• Create a Skills Section : Dedicate a section to Teacher Skills, listing both hard and soft skills. Include abilities such as classroom management, lesson planning, communication, and adaptability.
• Use Action Verbs : Start bullet points with strong action verbs that highlight your Teacher Skills. Words like “developed,” “implemented,” and “facilitated” convey a sense of initiative and impact.
• Quantify Achievements : Whenever possible, quantify your accomplishments. For example, mention the number of students you taught, improvements in test scores, or successful projects that showcase your Teacher Skills.
• Include Relevant Certifications : List any teaching certifications or professional development courses that enhance your Teacher Skills. This demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.
• Highlight Technology Proficiency : In today’s digital age, showcasing your ability to integrate technology into the classroom is vital. Mention any educational software or tools you are proficient in, as they are valuable Teacher Skills.
• Provide Examples : Use specific examples in your work experience section that illustrate your Teacher Skills in action. Describe situations where you effectively managed a classroom or adapted lessons to meet diverse learning needs.

By strategically emphasizing your Teacher Skills, you can create a compelling resume that captures the attention of hiring managers and increases your chances of landing an interview.

Sample Teacher Skills for Resume

[your name].

[Your Address] [City, State, Zip] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email Address] [LinkedIn Profile URL]

Dedicated and passionate educator with [X years] of experience in fostering a positive learning environment and enhancing student engagement. Seeking to leverage my skills and expertise to contribute to [School/Organization Name] as a [Position Title].

Bachelor of Arts in Education [University Name], [City, State] [Month, Year] – [Month, Year]

Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction [University Name], [City, State] [Month, Year] – [Month, Year]

Certifications

• State Teaching License, [State]
• CPR and First Aid Certified
• [Any additional relevant certifications]

Professional Experience

[Current or Most Recent Job Title] [School Name], [City, State] [Month, Year] – Present

• Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans that cater to diverse learning styles.
• Utilized technology to enhance classroom instruction and student participation.
• Fostered a positive classroom environment that encouraged student collaboration and critical thinking.
• Conducted assessments to monitor student progress and adapted teaching strategies accordingly.

[Previous Job Title] [School Name], [City, State] [Month, Year] – [Month, Year]

• Collaborated with fellow educators to create interdisciplinary projects that promoted student engagement.
• Organized and led extracurricular activities to enhance students’ social and emotional development.
• Provided individualized support to students with special needs, ensuring an inclusive learning environment.
• Lesson Planning and Curriculum Development
• Student Assessment and Evaluation
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Technology Integration in Education
• Team Collaboration
• Attended [Conference/Workshop Name], [Year]
• Completed [Online Course/Certification], [Year]
• Participated in [Professional Learning Community/Group], [Year]

Available upon request.

How to Develop Teacher Skills for Resume

Developing teacher skills is essential for creating an impactful resume that stands out to potential employers. Here are key strategies to effectively develop teacher skills for your resume:

• Identify Relevant Skills : Focus on skills that are highly valued in education, such as classroom management, lesson planning, and communication.
• Pursue Professional Development : Attend workshops, seminars, and courses to enhance your teaching techniques and stay updated on educational trends.
• Gain Practical Experience : Volunteer or seek internships in educational settings to apply and refine your teaching skills in real-world scenarios.
• Seek Feedback : Regularly request feedback from peers and mentors to identify areas for improvement and develop teacher skills further.
• Highlight Technology Proficiency : Familiarize yourself with educational technology tools and incorporate them into your teaching methods to demonstrate adaptability.
• Showcase Soft Skills : Emphasize interpersonal skills, such as empathy and teamwork, which are crucial for effective teaching.
• Tailor Your Resume : Customize your resume to reflect the specific teacher skills that align with the job description, making it more appealing to hiring managers.

By following these steps, you can effectively develop teacher skills that will enhance your resume and increase your chances of landing your desired teaching position.

Also Read : How to Add Skills Section in Resume

FAQs about Teacher Skills

What are essential teacher skills to include on a resume.

Essential Teacher Skills to highlight on your resume include classroom management, lesson planning, communication, adaptability, and technology integration. Additionally, showcasing skills like collaboration, empathy, and assessment techniques can demonstrate your ability to foster a positive learning environment and engage students effectively.

How can I showcase my Teacher Skills effectively on my resume?

To showcase your Teacher Skills effectively, use specific examples and quantifiable achievements. Highlight your experience with diverse student populations, innovative teaching methods, and successful outcomes. Incorporate action verbs and tailor your skills to match the job description, ensuring they resonate with potential employers.

Why are Teacher Skills important for my resume?

Teacher Skills are crucial for your resume because they demonstrate your qualifications and ability to impact student learning positively. Employers seek candidates who can effectively manage classrooms, engage students, and adapt to various teaching challenges. Highlighting these skills can set you apart from other applicants.

How do I identify the right Teacher Skills for my resume?

To identify the right Teacher Skills for your resume, review the job description and note the required competencies. Reflect on your experiences and accomplishments in the classroom, considering both hard skills (like curriculum development) and soft skills (like communication). Tailor your resume to align with these identified skills.

Can I include soft Teacher Skills on my resume?

Absolutely! Including soft Teacher Skills on your resume is essential, as they demonstrate your interpersonal abilities and emotional intelligence. Skills like empathy, teamwork, and conflict resolution are vital in education. Highlighting these skills can show potential employers that you can create a supportive and effective learning environment.

Resume Tips

Choose the right format.

Select a resume format that best showcases your skills and experience. Common formats include chronological, functional, and combination resumes.

Tailor Your Resume

Customize your resume for each job application by highlighting relevant skills and experiences that match the job description.

Focus on Key Sections

Include essential sections such as contact information, professional summary or objective, work experience, education, skills, and relevant certifications.

Use Clear and Concise Language

Be concise and use action verbs to describe your accomplishments and responsibilities in each job role.

Quantify Achievements

Whenever possible, quantify your achievements with numbers or percentages to demonstrate your impact in previous roles.

Highlight Transferable Skills

Emphasize transferable skills that are relevant to the job you're applying for, such as communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills.

Prioritize Readability

Ensure your resume is easy to read by using a clean and professional font, adequate white space, and bullet points for listing information.

Proofread Carefully

Avoid spelling and grammar errors by proofreading your resume multiple times or asking a trusted friend or colleague to review it.

Keep it Updated

Regularly update your resume with new experiences, skills, and accomplishments to reflect your most current qualifications.

Seek Feedback

Consider seeking feedback from career advisors, mentors, or professionals in your industry to improve your resume further.

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15+ Teacher Skills You Need On Your Resume in 2025

August 28, 2024

Teaching is a dynamic profession that requires a unique blend of skills to inspire young minds and create effective learning environments. 

As a teacher, you’re responsible for various tasks within a school, ensuring that your class’s learning runs smoothly. This includes lesson planning, curriculum instruction, learner assessment, record keeping, and giving feedback on learner performance and progress.

To stand out in a competitive job market, you must showcase your abilities clearly and concisely on your resume. 

This article highlights 15 essential skills that every teacher should emphasize to capture the attention of potential employers and demonstrate their qualifications for success in the classroom.

Crucial Teacher Skills

Teacher skills are specific competencies and abilities that help you carry out your educator roles effectively and efficiently. They are necessary when creating lesson plans, carrying out learner instruction, and interacting with colleagues, parents, and administrators. 

Some of these will be learned during your teacher education degree program, while others you will acquire as a certified educator. 

Teacher skills will enhance your efficiency in working with children and help you develop their knowledge and critical thinking skills. 

Highlighting your teacher skills on your resume sets you apart from other candidates and can earn you a teaching position. 

Let’s look at the top 15 teacher skills that will make your resume stand out: 

1. Communication

Communication is the art of effectively conveying ideas, building relationships, and creating a shared understanding in your classroom and beyond.

Communication is a critical teacher skill that underpins all aspects of your work as an educator. Whether written or verbal, your employers need to know that you can effectively communicate with all the stakeholders within the institution. 

Practical communication skills will help you to connect with:

• Students: They help you present information, instructions, and concepts. Clear communication also ensures that students understand the lesson’s subject matter. 
• Colleagues: Effective communication enables educator collaboration, where you can share ideas, resources, and best practices. This contributes to professional growth and enhances the teaching approaches of the entire teaching fraternity. 
• Parents: You’re expected to regularly update parents on students’ progress, discuss challenges, and seek parental involvement to support student learning.
• Stakeholders in the education community: Communication with the educational community enables you to access resources,  participate in professional development programs, and engage in collaborative projects.

As an effective educator, you are expected to listen, empathize, and seek to understand the different viewpoints presented by your learners, parents, and other stakeholders. Here are some ways to help develop your communication skills:

• Embrace telephone jobs like calling alums for donations or volunteering for a peer support line. 
• Join a debating society and learn to articulate your opinions thoughtfully while attentively listening to others. 
• Participate in the school magazine or website and engage your creative writing skills or just get ideas on writing professionally.

2. Critical Thinking

Critical thinking skills involve applying reasoning, analyzing information, and making sound decisions based on logic and evidence. These skills empower you to analyze situations carefully and make informed decisions that enhance the best interests of your learners while considering the institutional goals and standards. 

They also help you balance achieving academic standards and addressing parental expectations for their children.

In class, critical thinking skills will help you in:

• Curriculum design: Teachers critically analyze curriculum guidelines, educational standards, and student needs to design effective and engaging lessons. They consider different teaching strategies and select the most appropriate approaches to support learning among their students.
• Problem-solving: In the classroom, teachers encounter various challenges, such as addressing individual student needs, managing disruptive behavior, or adapting to unexpected situations. Critical thinking enables them to develop creative solutions that balance the students’ needs and learning environment.
• Assessment: Teachers use critical thinking to develop meaningful assessments that measure student learning and progress. They analyze assessment data to identify areas of strength and areas for improvement to help students understand their strengths and weaknesses.

Here are some ways in which to develop your critical thinking skills:

• Assess your thinking : Use tools like self-reflection, journaling, and feedback to examine your strengths, weaknesses, biases, and assumptions. This will help you identify areas of improvement. 
• Seek diverse perspectives : Expose yourself to various viewpoints through reading, listening, and engaging with people from different backgrounds.
• Reflect and act : Document your progress, reflect on outcomes, and apply your learning to demonstrate and improve your critical thinking skills. 

3. Patience

Patience is the ability to remain calm and understanding while guiding students through challenges, fostering perseverance and resilience.

Your learners learn at different rates, have different learning styles, and come from diverse backgrounds. Patience is critical in helping you recognize and respect these differences. It will also help you remain calm when faced with challenging behavior. 

In addition, patience helps you foster an inclusive and safe learning environment that nurtures growth and learning for all students. 

For instance, when dealing with a learner who requires additional explanation, you should patiently offer that extra guidance and practice to enhance understanding. 

When your learners deal with personal challenges that may impact their performance and behavior, patience will empower you to be empathetic and respond calmly. 

Although patience is inherent mainly, here are ways you can develop your patience:

• Practice thinking before speaking: Learners are more open when they know you are listening. Make an effort to listen attentively when they talk and value their perspectives. This will allow you to create a nurturing and engaging learning environment. 
• Take time to understand learners’ underlying issues: This will help you offer suitable guidance and support and determine the kind of environment your learners require to optimize learning. 

4. Leadership

Leadership is the ability to inspire, motivate, and guide students toward their full potential, fostering a collaborative and empowering learning environment.

As an educator, you need to be able to lead a classroom and inspire confidence in your learners. You also need to be able to deal with students with diverse needs inside and outside the school. 

You serve as a leader in the classroom, guiding and inspiring the learners toward academic success and self-actualization.

Beyond the classroom, you also demonstrate leadership when interacting with colleagues, parents, and school administrators, contributing to a collaborative educational environment. You can also demonstrate leadership skills by serving as a mentor and providing guidance to less experienced teachers or student teachers. 

Here are ways to develop leadership skills: 

• Practice makes perfect : Try putting yourself in situations that require you to take leadership roles. For instance, I could volunteer to head a group project or be more involved in societies at and after university. As you head this group, we encourage your teammates to offer you constructive criticism and give feedback to teammates as well. 
• Improve your organizational skills . Leadership roles will demand great organization from you. You can practice organizing your classroom and planning lessons, assessments, and evaluations. Also, learn to prioritize and delegate tasks to avoid being overwhelmed.  

5. Organization

Organization includes the systematic arrangement of resources and time to create a focused, efficient, and productive learning environment.

To perform your duties effectively as a teacher, you must possess excellent organizational skills. 

Organizational skills are also vital to creating and maintaining a productive learning environment. For instance, if your class has around 30 learners, it can be challenging to remain organized, optimize instructional time, and ensure each learner gets personalized attention.

Educators with excellent organizational skills prepare their instructional content beforehand and inform learners of their expectations. This makes it easier for them to manage their assignments and materials. 

Here are a few tips to help you improve your organizational skills:

• To save time, organize your teaching materials and prepare lesson notes and plans for the previous day. This will allow you to focus on delivering the lesson content and ensure you do not miss important information. 
• Determine the lesson objective before the beginning of the lesson. Ensure the learning goals are clearly defined, as this will enhance your focus and help you organize your teaching materials and resources better. 
• Keep a calendar or a planner, schedule lessons, mark essential deadlines, and track assignments. A planner lets you prioritize tasks, allocate time for each learning activity, and avoid last-minute rushes.
• Utilize technology to enhance your organizational skills in the classroom. Learn how to use software applications and online tools, such as Moodle, Google Classroom, and Evernote, to assist you in managing your materials, grading assignments, and tracking student progress.
• Establish consistent routines and tasks to help you create a sense of structure and order in your classroom. This could range from deadlines for assignment submission to access to learning resources. 

6. Time Management

Time management is the skill of efficiently allocating and prioritizing tasks to maximize productivity and create a balanced classroom environment.

Time management skills are critical for educators to remain organized and complete tasks efficiently. A day in the classroom involves:

• Balancing various responsibilities, such as planning lessons.
• Meeting with students and parents.
• Marking and grading assessments. 

This demands a great deal of time management skills, so you must be able to complete your tasks promptly and prioritize them based on their urgency and importance. 

Practical time management skills also allow you to create a healthy work-life balance, which is essential if you want to stay in the field for a long time. Teaching can be a stressful job at times, so you’ll need to prioritize time for self-care.

To effectively manage your time, you need to plan and structure your time to maximize productivity, minimize distractions, and allow for flexibility in case of unexpected events. 

Here’s how you’ll benefit from time management on your teacher resume:

• Efficient scheduling: Demonstrates your ability to plan and prioritize daily tasks, ensuring all educational responsibilities are met.
• Distraction management: This shows you have the capacity to create focused work environments, enhancing productivity in lesson planning and grading.
• Strategic timetabling: Illustrates skill in optimizing teaching schedules to maximize instructional impact and maintain work-life balance.

7. Teamwork

“Teamwork makes the dream work”. John Maxwell. 

Strong teamwork means communicating effectively with others, building positive relationships, and contributing to a collaborative environment.  

When you work well with a team, you can share ideas, develop new approaches to instruction, improve student outcomes, and create a positive school culture. 

Understanding teamwork will also help you teach your students the importance of working well in teams and fostering positive interactions with other school personnel. 

In a classroom, you can grow learners’ collaborative skills by creating group work opportunities and encouraging them to communicate, cooperate, and contribute to shared goals.

8. Listening

Listening is the cornerstone of effective teaching, enabling you to understand students’ needs, build rapport, and provide tailored support.

Listening keenly helps you gather valuable feedback from your learners, colleagues, and parents, which enhances your instructional strategies. 

Excellent listening skills will help you:

• Understand individual student needs and concerns
• Create an inclusive learning environment where students feel seen and heard
• Gather feedback on your teaching styles from students and fellow educators.

Here are ways to showcase your listening skills in your resume and during your teacher interview:

• Maintain appropriate eye contact: Show engagement by making consistent eye contact with the interviewer, demonstrating attentiveness and interest in the conversation.
• Display relaxed attentiveness:   Have a calm and focused demeanor, indicating your ability to create a comfortable learning environment and fully concentrate on students’ needs.
• Respond to nonverbal cues: Demonstrate awareness of the interviewer’s body language and tone, showcasing your ability to pick up on subtle communication cues in the classroom.

9. Adaptability

Adaptability is your capacity to flexibly adjust teaching methods, materials, and environment to meet the diverse needs of students and respond to unexpected challenges.

Although exciting, being an educator can present different challenges that you need to adapt to.

The teaching field is dynamic and continually changing from the approaches to the technologies we utilize in the classroom. 

You also have learners from different backgrounds, learning abilities, interests, and learning styles. 

Your ability to adapt to these changes is vital to providing relevant and meaningful learning experiences. You should also be flexible in adjusting your teaching methods to suit the diverse learners in your classroom. 

Here are a few examples of how you can be adaptable in teaching:

• Adjust your lesson plans and instructional materials based on learner’s feedback, learning abilities, and styles. 
• Consider learners who require more time to understand or have learning challenges and review your pace of instruction.
• Embrace alternative testing methods to provide multiple means of evaluating different learners. For instance, allow learners to choose between projects and class presentations. 
• Switch up the seating arrangements and learning environments to accommodate different learner preferences and needs.
• Integrate new technologies and digital resources to enhance learning experiences and engage learners in new ways. 

Being adaptable will enable you to respond to learners’ evolving needs in a manner that prepares them for success in a dynamic world. 

10. Empathy

Empathy is a fundamental trait that allows you to understand better and connect with your learners. When you are empathetic, you create a place where your learners feel comfortable, confident, and supported in their learning. It is, therefore, an essential component of a positive learning environment. 

Modelling empathy for your learners can help them understand their classmates and others around them. This allows them to build friendships in the classroom and engage in teamwork. 

In addition, empathy helps you build trust and rapport with your learners, which can increase engagement and motivation and improve learning outcomes. 

Investing in your students’ well-being and success can create a sense of belonging and community in your classrooms. 

Teachers can show empathy by:

• Acknowledge and validate your students’ emotions and experiences.
• Embracing patience and understanding when students face difficulties or make mistakes.
• Celebrating and appreciating students’ diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives.
• Providing individualized support and guidance to students based on their unique needs and goals.
• Incorporating diverse and inclusive learning materials and perspectives in the curriculum.

Here are several ways you can enhance your empathy:

• Avoid assumptions: Ask questions and allow students to explain their situations before drawing conclusions about their behavior.
• Practice active listening: Give learners the opportunity to open up about their struggles or admit mistakes, modeling respect and understanding.
• Choose empathy over sympathy: Maintain high expectations for students while showing understanding. Demonstrate belief in their ability to excel despite challenges.

11. Self-Evaluation

Self-evaluation is a process by which you can judge the adequacy and effectiveness of your knowledge, beliefs, and performance. It empowers you to exercise autonomy in setting goals and creating action plans for improvement. 

Self-evaluations allow you to be more authentic and connect with your students personally. Bringing your interests, passions, and experiences to the classroom makes learning more relatable and relevant. 

In addition, self-evaluation will allow you to reflect on your teaching practice, identify areas for improvement, and, therefore, take proactive measures to improve your effectiveness in class. 

Here are some ways to practice effective self-evaluation:

• Review your lesson plans and assess whether the desired learning outcomes were achieved and if students were actively engaged in the learning process.
• Identify areas where students may struggle or excel, and reflect on your instructional strategies to meet their needs better.
• Keep a teaching journal to record your reflections, observations, and ideas about your teaching style. 
• Utilize self-assessment tools or checklists to evaluate your teaching methods against established standards or best practices.

Here are some tools you can use for self-evaluation:

• Rubrics : At the beginning of the school year, develop checklists that outline teaching criteria. Use these to measure lesson content, classroom organization, planning, instruction delivery, and learner engagement. Rate yourself throughout the year and identify fifty areas of improvement. 
• Self-assessment tools with structured frameworks : These tools pose questions covering aspects of teaching, such as subject matter knowledge, effectiveness in instruction delivery, and planning skills. By assessing yourself, you obtain personalized feedback. 
• Collaborate with others : Do this by asking your students their perceptions about the lesson, the classroom environment, their level of satisfaction, and engagement. The learners will share feedback through a survey or questionnaire you provide.

Self-evaluation will help you take an active role in your professional development by identifying areas for improvement and setting meaningful goals.

12. Commitment  

Commitment is a teacher’s unwavering dedication to your student’s success by always creating meaningful learning experiences.

Teaching can be challenging at times. However, if you are dedicated to helping your learners succeed, you will learn to keep your energies up to avoid getting discouraged. A good teacher demands a deep sense of dedication and concern for your job and learners. 

Your commitment to your career will require you to invest time and effort to ensure your student’s success. In addition, being committed will help you overcome challenges and engage in professional development activities to enhance your teaching style.

Choosing a field of teaching that aligns with your genuine interests and passions is an excellent way to ensure long-term commitment. This ensures that you always have the expertise, enthusiasm, and ability to inspire learners throughout your teaching career. 

13. Conflict Resolution

Conflict resolution is the ability to guide students through disagreements, encouraging empathy, communication, and problem-solving to reach a mutually agreeable solution.

Conflicts are inevitable in any classroom setting, making conflict resolution skills essential for teachers.  

Effective conflict management will set the tone for a positive learning environment and help avoid disruptions that may hinder learning.

For instance, if two learners are conflicting, you should listen to both sides, identify the underlying issues causing the conflict, and facilitate a calm conversation between them. 

You should then guide the students to brainstorm possible solutions and encourage them to find common ground and compromise. It is essential to guide them in reflecting upon the experience and discussing the lessons learned. 

Learners are always watching; effective conflict resolution will ensure a harmonious environment and empower them to resolve conflicts independently. 

Here are a few tips on how to develop conflict-resolution skills:

• Learn behavior management skills : You can attend a workshop or read tips online and apply them in your interactions. 
• Volunteer in institutions serving children and teenagers : Most offer conflict resolution training. 

14. Classroom Management

Classroom management is the art of creating a structured, supportive, and engaging learning environment where students feel safe to learn and grow.

Classroom management skills help you create a high-performing learning environment. Effective classroom management ensures that learning runs smoothly and that teaching materials and activities enhance understanding. 

When you effectively manage your class, it reduces your chances of suffering from work-related stress and anxiety, enhancing your career satisfaction. 

Here are some of the outcomes of effective classroom management:

• Creates an organized, highly functional learning environment
• Establishes opportunities for academic learning and personal development
• Minimizes undesirable classroom behavior and other disruptions
• Creates focused, motivated, and productive learners
• Promotes an inclusive learning environment accommodating all ability levels
• Enhances time efficiency and ensures that learning time is prioritized

Establishing appropriate classroom management skills is critical in realizing these outcomes and ensuring you reap the benefits of a highly effective learning and working environment.

Here are some strategies you can use to manage your class effectively:

• Use proximity: When you stay at the front of the class the whole time, your learners tend to drift to other activities without you noticing. Moving around the class while you teach, standing next to the distracted ones, tends to draw learners back to the learning process. 
• Create a solid lesson plan: Your lesson plan is the foundation of effective classroom management. Ensure it explicitly captures the expectations to establish a safe and productive learning environment. 
• Build positive relationships with your learners: Good classroom management begins with knowing your learners’ strengths and weaknesses and working out their interests and ambitions. Your interest in your learners will help you build trust and positively influence their personal development. 
• Avoid sarcasm: Although many teachers view sarcasm as a way of projecting confidence, it presents you as weak and, in most cases, may cause learners to lose respect for you. Instead of being sarcastic to a disruptive learner, talk to them privately and let them know your expectations. 

15. Creativity

Creativity is a teacher’s ability to spark imagination, foster innovation, and inspire unique learning experiences.

Creativity is the heart of every classroom. It motivates the teachers and learners to express their views and perspectives uniquely. 

Creative teaching results in active learning, leading to engaged and interactive learning. Adding creativity as a skill in your teacher resume shows the learning environment you create is highly effective and productive.

Here are some ways to implement creativity in your classroom:

• Rise above limitations: Creativity is eternal with limitless potential— you can be unlimitedly creative. Work to step outside your creative limits while encouraging your learners to do the same. This will help you create motivated and engaged learners, enhancing the effectiveness of your learning environment. 
• Challenge the assumptions: Teach yourself to ask “how” or “why not?” Question the assumptions about the concepts you teach and guide your learners towards similar introspective learning that seeks understanding rather than recall. 
• Define the problem : This will help you broaden your creative potential and understanding. Defining the problem gets you thinking from different perspectives, enhancing your versatility in solutions. 

Creativity establishes a significantly vibrant learning environment, enhancing the realization of various learning outcomes. These include:

• Motivating students: Research has often linked creativity to intrinsic learning motivation. When learners are focused on a creative goal, they become engaged in their learning and more excited to acquire the skills they need to enhance understanding. 
• Creativity lights up the brain: When you frequently engage your learners in creative learning activities, they are more likely to develop high-order cognitive skills. These include critical thinking, connecting concepts between subjects, and problem-solving. Combining creativity with transformative technology further improves learning outcomes. 
• Creativity awakens hard-to-reach learners: When allowed to unleash their creative juices, hard-to-learn students excel in their interests. This can be transformative in their learning journey as you can guide them into working towards their passions. 

Reasons to Choose a Teaching Career

The teaching career is diverse and dynamic— breaking the monotony of other professions.

For instance, you’ll have sports days, celebrations, holidays, and school trips, which greatly excite your school days. Unexpected events and surprises,such as guests coming to speak with the learners add an element of surprise.

For many teachers, the profession is more of a calling. The fulfillment comes from witnessing these young minds grow into responsible members of society. 

There has been an increasing demand for teachers in the U.S., which means job security for aspiring educators. You can dedicate yourself to building your skillset without the fear of loosing your lob.

You can teach in public, private, or specialized schools without the possibility of replacement. 

The average salary for teachers varies depending on factors such as experience, location, and level of education. 

A table showing the median annual wage for teachers at different educational levels according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as of May 2024.

Even though salary is not the primary motivation for most teachers, the competitive pay and benefits of the profession are worth considering.

What is a Teacher’s Skill?

A teacher skill refers to a set of abilities you need as an educator to carry out your roles in the classroom effectively. 

While formal education and qualifications are essential for becoming a teacher, it’s also critical that you focus on developing specific skills vital for working in the education industry.

In today’s competitive job market, schools often receive numerous applications for each teaching position they post. As a result, standing out from the competition can be challenging. 

Acquiring and refining relevant teaching skills sets you apart and demonstrates your readiness to excel as an educator. 

Our alternative certification programs incorporate the development of all these skills, ensuring that you are well-prepared for the modern learner. 

Skills are required for us to evolve and adapt as society and technology advance. For instance, technology plays a significant role in education in the modern era. Therefore, you must be proficient in using digital resources, tools, and platforms to enhance student learning. 

For example, we are using educational apps, online research tools, interactive whiteboards, or incorporating multimedia elements into lessons. 

Embracing technology will help create a learning environment that resonates with today’s digitally connected students.

Final Thoughts

Teacher skills are crucial for effective and impactful teaching. Skilled teachers possess a wide range of competencies that enable them to create engaging learning experiences and cultivate a positive classroom environment.

We offer professional development opportunities that give you skills essential for professional development and ensure that you meet your students’ diverse needs.

In addition, a teacher’s skills significantly impact their job prospects. A robust skill set sets you apart from other candidates when applying for teaching positions. Let’s help improve your skills and keep you relevant in this competitive job market.

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Texas Teachers Certification Areas

Texas teachers currently offers 50+ certification areas:.

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10 Essential Teacher Resume Skills to Include for 2024

Written by Victoria Hegwood

• Teacher Resources

As the demand for quality education continues to rise, so does the competition among teachers on the job search. Finding the right position is one thing but landing your ideal job can be another task entirely. 

So having a well-crafted resume can set you apart from the competition and help you secure your dream teaching position.

As you put together your resume, you may be asking yourself 'What skills should I highlight to make sure my resume catches the eye of potential employers? ' 

Never fear; we've got the answers for you! 

In this article, we will explore the top 10 essential teacher resume skills to include in your resume. And we have some great suggestions for high-quality resume templates to bolster your teacher job application in 2024. 

Whether you're an experienced teacher looking for a new opportunity or a fresh graduate ready to tackle your first classroom, you'll find tips and tricks for landing your dream job. Let's dive in! 

What are teacher skills?

So, what exactly are 'teacher skills'? This is the first place to start when deciding what to list on your resume. 

Teacher skills are the specific competencies and abilities that enable educators to perform their duties effectively in the classroom.

These skills are often split into two types: hard skills and soft skills.  

Hard skills include specific technical abilities and knowledge required for teaching. These skills set teachers apart from all the rest. Some examples may be:

• Subject matter expertise
• Lesson planning
• Classroom management

Soft skills, on the other hand, are more general skills that are used in teaching as well as many other professions and areas of life. Soft skills include: 

• Communication
• Problem-solving
• The ability to build positive relationships with students and colleagues

Both types of skills are vital to a teacher's success in the classroom. And you will want to list a mixture of both on your resume. 

10 Teacher skills to improve your resume

You worked hard earning your degree, learning inside of the classroom and outside of it. And maybe you even have years of experience under your belt. 

You have so many skills to choose from when putting together a resume. So how do you know which ones to pick? 

Here are ten of the best skills to include to impress your potential employer without your resume seeming wordy or too long. 

1. Stay organized with attention to detail

Being organized and paying close attention to detail is essential for every teacher. Without the right preparation, it can be incredibly difficult to manage a classroom and keep students on track. 

There are many tasks that need to be done in a classroom simultaneously like:

• Managing communication with parents and colleagues 
• Keeping track of deadlines 
• Maintaining accurate records of your students' progress
• Accurately taking attendance
• Tracking behavior goals and management 
• Identifying areas of concern for specific students
• Providing additional support when needed
• Creating a positive learning environment that minimizes distractions

Without good systems and great organizational skills, this list may quickly feel overwhelming. But your attention to detail will allow you to tackle it all! Highlight in your resume how you have tackled this challenge in the past and how you will do it again in this new position. 

2. Tech savvy

In today's digital age, technology has become an integral part of our lives, both inside of the classroom and out. 

Students are growing up in an increasingly tech-oriented world, and you'd be hard-pressed to find any classroom without some form of tech in it. 

Every learner absolutely needs digital literacy skills to succeed in the modern workforce. By having advanced computer skills, you will be able to help them get there. 

Integrating technology into your teaching strategies and lesson plans can increase student engagement, motivation and achievement , making it an essential skill for any modern teacher.

Mentioning what technological tools you are proficient with is a great talking point with a recruiter. Highlight how you've created engaging and interactive learning experiences for students using the latest technology.  

If you’re having trouble thinking of what all tools you may have used, some common ones to mention include interactive whiteboards, online learning platforms, and educational software.

Prodigy is your go-to choice for fun, interactive game-based learning

As students play Prodigy Math and Prodigy English, they'll practice curriculum-aligned skills while having fun exploring two magical worlds.

As a teacher, you can:

• Set standards-aligned content – including what you're teaching in class!
• Use automatic reports to see how your students are at progressing at a grade and strand level
• Send rewards to motivate, inspire and challenge your students to practice more skills

And the best bit? It's available at no cost to teachers and schools!

3. Imaginative

Being imaginative is a valuable skill when it comes to making creative and engaging lesson plans that can capture your students' attention and help them retain information. 

Incorporating imaginative teaching methods can also promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills as students explore new ideas. 

The variety and fun you can add to your teaching with a bit of imagination will foster a love of learning in your students. And it may even encourage them on their path to becoming lifelong learners. 

4. Time management

Good time management skills enable you to stay organized and complete tasks efficiently. And you already know that there is always plenty to do in the classroom!  

On any given day, you will likely be balancing various responsibilities, such as planning lessons, grading assignments, and meeting with students and parents. 

Proper time management skills allow you to complete these tasks promptly and prioritize tasks based on their importance and deadlines.

Effective time management skills also allow you to create a healthy work-life balance, which is absolutely essential if you want to stay in the field for a long time. Teaching can be a stressful job at times, so you’ll need to make sure you prioritize time for self-care.

5. Critical thinking

Critical thinking skills include the ability to analyze information, identify patterns and relationships and make sound decisions based on evidence and reasoning .

Practically speaking, critical thinking skills as a teacher look like:

• Creating effective lesson plans
• Assessing student performance
• Solving problems that arise in the classroom
• Ensuring your teaching methods are up-to-date and effective 
• Tweaking your teaching methods based on evidence and feedback  

It's also important to model critical thinking skills for your students so that they develop this essential skill as well. 

You want to teach your students to think more deeply and effectively about the information they encounter. You want them to ask questions and find answers that deepen their understanding of teaching materials.

6. Teamwork

Teaching is not a solo sport. 

To effectively navigate the struggles and triumphs of teaching, you need to work in tandem with your colleagues and administration. 

'Teamwork makes the dream work' as they say. 

Having strong teamwork skills means that you can communicate effectively with others, build positive relationships, and contribute to a collaborative environment. 

Teachers who work well with a team can share ideas, develop new approaches to teaching, improve student outcomes and create a positive school culture .

7. Communication skills

As a teacher, the main task you are doing is communicating information and lessons with your students. So effective communication skills are a must.

But that isn't the only way that you will use your communication skills.

You will also have both verbal and written communication with parents, colleagues and administrators. Great communication skills will foster positive relationships, build trust and improve student performance.

An important part of high-quality communication skills is active listening , or being able to provide clear and concise feedback to students and their parents. This skill can help to create a supportive learning environment and make sure students feel heard and understood.

8. Problem-solving skills

Classroom challenges and problems are bound to arise. These problems may range from student behavior issues to curriculum design problems. But they won't be too much to tackle with the strong problem-solving skills that you possess! 

Problem-solving skills show your adaptability and creativity as an educator, which can make you more valuable to your school or district. So, make sure you highlight problem-solving skills on your teacher resume by using specific action verbs from the job description like brainstormed , analyzed , and evaluated.  

Have some examples of when you used problem-solving skills ready when you head into your interview and you'll be sure to impress! 

9. Conflict resolution

Conflict of some sort is inevitable in any profession. 

In a teaching job, the conflict is often between students or between students and yourself. Having the conflict resolution skills to solve these issues quickly is essential for creating a positive learning environment and fostering healthy relationships among students.

You may also run into some conflict issues with your colleagues or students' parents. In these cases, it is important to know how to maintain professionalism in the workplace. These situations need to be handled with tact and diplomacy in order to maintain positive working relationships.

10. Flexible to diverse learning needs

Not every student is the same. They each learn and grow in their own unique way. You know this. 

So being able to be flexible, capable of adapting your teaching methods and approach, is a necessary teacher skill. 

You will need to understand and address individual learning styles, cultural backgrounds, and other factors that impact how students engage with and learn from the material.

Mentoring is one of the ways to support students in their individual learning journey. A mentor will guide students to reach their potential, provide constructive feedback and encourage them to develop critical thinking skills.

Other teacher skills to keep in mind

Technology isn't just changing the way teachers teach in the classroom, it's also changing how teachers are hired. 

For many schools, gone are the days when a person looks over each and every resume. To speed up the process, many districts use applicant tracking systems (ATS). This tool screens professional resumes and filters out candidates for review. 

Now, this isn't something you should allow to deter you. Understanding this tool can give you a leg up over your competitors. 

You should be strategic in your resume writing, choosing certain action verbs and words over others. Some of these include:

• Leadership Skills
• Curriculum development
• Differentiated instruction
• Technology integration
• Assessment and evaluation
• Data analysis
• Parent-teacher communication
• Special needs education

It’s also best practice to look through the job description and use the same language and verbs in your resume. 

These simple steps will help you bypass the ATS and get noticed by hiring managers.

Where to put skills with teacher resume examples

Now that you know what all pieces and skills that you want to include, how do you bring it all together?

You want to craft a resume that highlights your skills but is still clear and concise. You don’t want a hiring manager to have to wade through any unnecessary information to get to the good stuff.  

The best resume format typically reflects this by utilizing bullet points, action verbs, and a skills section to make it easy for employers to quickly identify your relevant qualifications. 

And don’t forget to proofread! The last thing you want on a teacher resume is the wrong punctuation or a misspelled word.  

Sometimes it’s easiest to learn by seeing exactly what you should do. So, the next section has some resume samples that show how and where to showcase your skills for a teaching resume that stands out from the rest.

Examples of teacher skills in a resume summary

Starting at the top, you should include a resume objective .

A resume objective or summary is a brief section that highlights a candidate's relevant skills and experience for the job they are applying for.

Here are some high-quality examples of resume objectives for teachers: 

• Innovative secondary educator with expertise in differentiated instruction and project-based learning. Experienced in teaching a wide range of subjects, including English language arts, social studies, and digital media. Skilled in incorporating real-world scenarios and experiences to create dynamic and relevant lesson plans.
• Dedicated high school English teacher with a passion for fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills in students. Proficient in project-based learning and assessment, as well as using technology to enhance classroom instruction. Looking for an opportunity to bring my expertise to a school that values innovation and collaboration.
• Dedicated and motivated middle school educator with a passion for inspiring students to reach their full potential. Skilled in developing engaging lesson plans that cater to diverse learning needs and promoting a positive classroom environment. Proficient in utilizing technology to enhance the learning experience.

These resume objectives are packed full of action words, focusing less on the tasks and more on the impact that those actions had.

Your resume objective should do the same. Make it as concise and powerful as possible to wow the hiring manager and make them want to read more. 

Examples of a teacher resume skills section

Now onto the resume skills section!

A resume skills section is the part of a teacher's resume where they list their relevant skills and qualifications.

This section is typically placed after the professional summary or objective statement and before the work experience section.

Some technical skills you may want to include are:

• Experience with learning management systems (LMS) like Blackboard or Canvas
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or Google Suite
• Familiarity with educational software or apps, such as Quizlet or Kahoot
• Classroom management strategies and discipline techniques
• Differentiated instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners
• Knowledge of curriculum development and lesson planning
• Multitasking and time management skills to handle multiple responsibilities and tasks

These are just a few of the skills you may possess. Spend some time brainstorming a complete list of your skills and then pick the ones that are the most relevant to the job listing to include in your resume. 

Examples of teacher skills in a work experience section

The work experience section is a detailed account of your past job titles, responsibilities and accomplishments as an educator.

Here is one example that you might shape your work experience section after:

ABC Elementary School | August 2018 - Present

• Developed a positive classroom environment that fosters student learning and engagement
• Utilized effective classroom management techniques, including behavior contracts and positive reinforcement strategies
• Created and implemented daily lesson plans that align with state standards and met the needs of diverse learners

Focus on the action in this section. Start each bullet point with a strong verb that highlights your skills. 

If you need more ideas on how to phase certain tasks that you’ve done in specific jobs, there are tools online to help you get the right wording.

More resume tips to snag a teacher job

Great work! You've made some great progress on building a stellar resume! 

Here are just a few more tips to help you craft a winning teacher resume that catches the attention of potential employers.

Highlight your educational background

Here is the section of your resume where you put those hard skills that we talked about earlier. 

Some options to include may be any teaching and educational certifications sponsored by your state, city, or school district. Or you may hold special education or ESL endorsements that you want to list. 

If you’re applying for a public school position, it’s a good idea to check out the requirements on the job listing. These requirements may include relevant skills and experience and/or a bachelor’s degree in a field related to the target subject or teaching area. 

To highlight how you are a good fit for the position, be sure to include how your qualifications match their requirements in this section.

Highlight your professional experience

Your work history should focus on highlighting any relevant teaching experience including:

• Internships
• Volunteer work as a student teacher
• Substitute teacher work
• Time as a support teacher
• Tutoring in a school
• Teaching or working in children’s educational or recreational programs, such as after-school initiatives or summer camps

Numbers can be quite convincing. So if possible, try to include metrics or data that demonstrate the impact you have had on student learning and success.

You will likely also highlight your professional experience in your teacher cover letter. In this section, try to focus less on the technical details of your previous positions and instead showcase your personality, passion for teaching, and enthusiasm for the position.

Teacher salaries and future outlook

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 2021, the median salary for high school teachers was $61,820 annually. Kindergarten and elementary school teachers earned a median salary of $61,350 per year. Teacher assistants , who often support full-time teachers in schools or universities, earned a median salary of $29,360 per year.

Now it’s important to note that the amount a teacher earns may differ based on various factors such as:

• Years of experience in the role
• The type of school or school district they work at
• The city, state or district where they teach
• Educational qualifications 
• Skill level
• Additional certifications

If you’re teaching in a bigger city, you may be able to look around and compare the salaries and benefits at various schools. Some schools may offer additional benefits like professional development or various incentives.

By doing a number of interviews, you may be able to get multiple offers and then compare them. 

There are lots of factors that will make a school and a teaching position the right fit for you. It’s important to get all the information that you can and make the best decision for you. 

There will always be a need for great teachers to shape the great, young minds of tomorrow. You can make an incredible difference in your students’ lives as their teacher. 

You can rest assured that there will always be teaching positions available and open if you decide to pursue a new direction. 

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Teacher Resume Examples For 2024 (20+ Skills & Templates)

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Looking to land more job offers as a teacher?

A solid resume is going to be your starting point. This comprehensive guide provides proven strategies, skills, templates, and examples for writing a job-winning Teacher resume based on data from coaching thousands of successful job seekers.

From top to bottom, this guide will give you the tools you need to create an excellent Teacher resume and increase the chances of you landing your dream job.

Here's what we're going to cover:

• What To Know About Writing A Job-Winning Teacher Resume
• The Best Skills To Include On An Teacher Resume

How To Write A Job-Winning Teacher Resume Summary

How to write offer-winning teacher resume bullets.

• 3 Teacher Resume Examples

The 8 Best Teacher Resume Templates

Here's the step-by-step breakdown:

Teacher Resume Overview: What To Know To Write A Resume That Wins More Job Offers

Wondering what school districts are looking for when they're hiring a teacher?

Districts want knowledgeable, skilled, and dedicated teachers that are highly qualified. That means they have the proper education, certifications, and experience along with mastery of their subject, strong classroom management, communication, flexibility, and commitment to student learning.  Professionalism, reliability, and punctuality are also key qualities.

Your resume should show the district that the your experience and personality combined encompass all of these things.

Additionally, there are a few best practices you want to follow to write a job-winning Teacher resume:

• Highlight your education and certifications:  emphasizing any relevant coursework or specialized training.
• Emphasize your teaching experience:  providing specific examples of your accomplishments and contributions to student learning.
• Include keywords from the job description: ensure your resume is optimized for applicant tracking systems (ATS).
• Showcase your skills and achievements: including examples of your ability to manage a classroom, communicate effectively, and use technology.
• Quantify your work: Use numbers to showcase the results of your teaching efforts. Some examples include increases in student assessment results, increasing student engagement and decreasing classroom management issues.
• Proofread: Carefully proofread your resume for errors and typos, as these can give a negative impression to potential employers (I recommend using the Hemingway App ).

Let's dive deeper into each of these so you have the exact blueprint you need to see success.

The Best Teacher Skills To Include On Your Resume

Keywords are one of the most important factors in your resume. They show employers that your skills align with the role and they also help format your resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

If you're not familiar with ATS systems, they are pieces of software used by employers to manage job applications. They scan resumes for keywords and qualifications and make it easier for the employers to filter and search for candidates whose qualifications match the role.

If you want to win more interviews and job offers, you need to have a keyword-optimized resume. There are two ways to find the right keywords:

1. Leverage The 20 Best Teacher Keywords

The first is to leverage our list of the best keywords and skills for an Teacher resume.

These keywords were selected from an analysis of real Teacher job descriptions sourced from actual job boards. Here they are:

• Communication
• Collaborative
• Development
• Flexibility
• Performance
• Instruction
• Regulations

2. Use ResyMatch.io To Find The Best Keywords That Are Specific To Your Resume And Target Role

The second method is the one I recommend because it's personalized to your specific resume and target job.

This process lets you find the exact keywords that your resume is missing when compared to the individual role you're applying for

• Open a copy of your updated teacher resume
• Open a copy of your target teacher job description
• In the widget below, paste your resume on the left, paste the job description on the right, and hit scan!

Copy/paste or upload your resume here:

Click here to paste text

Upload a PDF, Word Doc, or TXT File

Paste the job post's details here:

Scan to compare and score your resume vs the job's description.

Scanning...

And if you're a visual learner, here's a video walking through the entire process so you can follow along:

You have a very short window of time to capture an employer's attention–an average of six seconds, to be exact.

To land more interviews an offers, you have to make each one of those seconds count. Start by putting the exact information the reader is looking for at the very top of your resume.

A quick Google search will tell you that a Summary or an Objective should hold this top spot but, unfortunately, that traditional advice simply won't capture your reader's attention. Winning in today's job market means using a more modern approach, what I like to call a “Highlight Reel.”

Here's how it works:

Highlight Reels: A Proven Way To Start Your Resume And Win More Jobs

The Highlight Reel is exactly what it sounds like.

It's a section at the top of your resume that allows you to pick and choose the best and most relevant experience to feature right at the top of your resume.

It's essentially a highlight reel of your career as it relates to this specific role! I like to think about it as the SportsCenter Top 10 of your resume.

The Highlight Reel resume summary consists of 4 parts:

• A relevant section title that ties your experience to the role
• An introductory bullet that summarizes your experience and high level value
• A few supporting “Case Study” bullets that illustrate specific results, projects, and relevant experience
• A closing “Extracurricular” bullet to round out your candidacy

For example, if we were writing a Highlight Reel for a Teacher role, it might look like this:

You can see how the first bullet includes the Teacher job title, the years of experience this candidate has, and it wraps up with a value-driven pitch for how they've helped students in the past.

The next two bullets are “Case Studies” of specific results they drove at their district. Finally, their last bullet focuses on their proficiency with classroom technology.

This candidate has provided all of the info any employer would want to see right at the very top of their resume! The best part is, they can customize this section for each and every role they apply for to maximize the relevance of their experience.

Here's one more example of a Teacher Highlight Reel:

While the content in this example is focused on this candidate's previous industry experience, you can see all of the elements of a great Highlight Reel (especially the emphasis on measurable outcomes and results!).

If you want more details on writing a killer Highlight Reel, check out my full guide on Highlight Reels here.

Bullets make up the majority of the content in your resume. If you want to win, you need to know how to write bullets that are compelling and value-driven.

Unfortunately, way too many job seekers aren't good at this. They use fluffy, buzzword-fill language and they only talk about the actions that they took rather than the results and outcomes those actions created.

If you apply this framework to each of the bullets on your resume, you're going to make them more compelling and your value is going to be crystal clear to the reader. For example, take a look at these resume bullets:

❌ Responsible for creating a safe learning environment.  

✅ Fostered an encouraging learning environment through communication, collaboration, and compassion that increased student participation by 30% over one academic year.

The second bullet makes the candidate's value  so much more clear, and it's a lot more fun to read! That's what we're going for here.

That said, it's one thing to look at the graphic above and try to apply the abstract concept of “35% hard skills” to your bullet. We wanted to make things easy, so we created a tool called ResyBullet.io that will actually give your resume bullet a score and show you how to improve it.

Using ResyBullet To Write Crazy Effective, Job-Winning Teacher Resume Bullets

ResyBullet takes our proprietary “resume bullet formula” and layers it into a tool that's super simple to use. Here's how it works:

• Head over to ResyBullet.io
• Copy a bullet from your teacher resume and paste it into the tool, then hit “Analyze”
• ResyBullet will score your teacher resume bullet and show you exactly what you need to improve
• You edit your bullet with the recommended changes and scan it again
• Rinse and repeat until you get a score of 60+
• Move on to the next bullet in your teacher resume

Let's take a look at how this works for the two resume bullet examples I shared above:

First, we had, “Responsible for creating a safe learning environment.” 

ResyBullet gave that a score of 25/100.  While it includes an action word, it's too short and is missing relevant skills, compelling language, and measurable outcomes:

Now, let's take a look at our second bullet,  “Fostered an encouraging learning environment through communication, collaboration, and compassion that increased student participation by 30% over one academic year.” 

ResyBullet gave that a 75 / 100. Much better! This bullet had more content focused on the specific criteria the hiring team is looking for. We can see by exactly how much they increased student participation, the skill and method they applied, and that it all resulted in an overall increase in student success.

Now all you have to do is run each of your bullets through ResyBullet, make the suggested updates, and your resume is going to be jam packed with eye-popping, value-driven content!

And if you want to learn more about the underlying strategies behind writing great resume bullets, check out this guide.

If you're ready, grab a bullet from your resume, paste it into the widget below, and hit scan to get your first resume bullet score and analysis:

Free Resume Bullet Analyzer

Learn to write crazy effective resume bullets that grab attention, illustrate value, and actually get results., copy and paste your resume bullet to begin analysis:, 3 teacher resume examples for 2023.

Now let's take a look at all of these best practices in action. Here are three resume examples for different situations from people with different backgrounds:

Teacher Resume Example #1: A Traditional Background

Teacher Resume Example #2: A Non-Traditional Background

For our second Teacher Resume Example, we have a candidate who has a non-traditional background. In this case, they are coming from the financial services industry but have experience helping customers learn more about financial literacy. Here's an example of what their resume might look like when applying for Teacher roles:

Teacher Resume Example #3: Experienced Teacher With Masters Degree

For our third Teacher Resume Example, we have a candidate who has 14+ years of experience and a Masters degree. Here's an example of what their resume might look like when applying for Teacher roles:

At this point, you know all of the basics you'll need to write a Teacher resume that wins you more interviews and offers. The only thing left is to take all of that information and apply it to a template that's going to help you get results.

We made that easy with our ResyBuild tool . It has 8 proven templates that were created with the help of recruiters and hiring managers at the world's best companies. These templates also bake in thousands of data points we have from the job seekers in our audience who have used them to land job offers.

Just click any of the templates below to start building your resume using proven, recruiter-approved templates:

Free Job-Winning Resume Templates, Build Yours In No Time .

Choose a resume template below to get started:.

Key Takeaways To Wrap Up Your Job-Winning Teacher Resume

You made it! We packed a lot of information into this post so I wanted to distill the key points for you and lay out next steps so you know exactly where to from here.

Here are the 5 steps for writing a job-winning Teacher resume:

• Start with a proven resume template from ResyBuild.io
• Use ResyMatch.io to find the right keywords and optimize your resume for each Teacher role you apply to
• Start your resume with a Highlight Reel to immediately grab your target school district's attention
• Use ResyBullet.io to craft compelling, value-driven bullets that pop off the page
• Compare the draft of your Teacher resume to the examples on this page to make sure you're on the right path
• Use a tool like HemingwayApp to proofread your resume before you submit it

If you follow those steps, you're going to be well on your way to landing more Teacher interviews and job offers.

Now that your resume is all set, check out my guide on writing a job-winning Teacher cover letter (with examples!)

Laura Lorta

Laura is an Editor at Cultivated Culture. She transitioned from teaching into the world of content so she's no stranger to career pivots. She also has a bachelors in Entrepreneurship and a Masters in Curriculum & Instruction / Bilingual Education. She currently shares job search advice to help people like you land jobs they love without applying online.

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Free Teacher Resume Template and Tips, Plus 21 Teacher Resume Examples

Make a great first impression!

Whether you’re searching for your first teaching job or you’re ready for a change, you’ll need a solid resume. There’s a lot of conflicting advice out there on how to write a resume that will land you an interview, so it’s worth taking some time to review teacher resume examples first. We’ve rounded up examples for pretty much any kind of educator and assembled tips for how to write a strong modern teacher resume.

Best of all, we’ve got a free, fully customizable teacher resume template to get you started quickly and easily. Fill out the form on this page to grab your template, then use our tips to start building your resume today.

Teacher Resume Tips

Teacher resume examples.

Resumes have changed a lot in recent years, so do your research to find out what the latest trends are. For instance, while an “objectives” section used to be a resume standard, people often drop this section today in favor of more space to highlight their accomplishments. Start with these general resume tips, then get more advice for completing our free teacher resume template, section by section.

General Tips

• Keep it to one or two pages. Hiring managers don’t have time to read overly long resumes. Put the most important information up front, and remove anything that doesn’t truly strengthen your application.
• Be honest. While you want to highlight your strengths and achievements, don’t go overboard. If you exaggerate your experience but are unable to perform certain tasks, you may put your future job at risk before you even get started.
• Skip the gimmicks. Some people will tell you the way to make your resume stand out is to use fun fonts or a “creative” design. The fact is, people who are hiring want an easy-to-read, clear presentation that highlights your achievements and credentials. That’s what will land you an interview.
• Tailor your resume. Keep a standard resume document that you can customize for the specific job you’re applying for. That might mean moving sections around, highlighting specific skills or experiences, or deciding which parts of your career deserve to be placed up front. Take a close look at the job description, and tailor your resume accordingly.
• Don’t try to circumvent the system. Years ago, people would tell you to ignore requests to send your resume and instead show up in person. Our advice: Don’t do it! Application systems are nearly all online these days, and for good reason. This helps hiring committees by organizing information efficiently and ensuring they meet all anti-discrimination laws. So just send your resume and application using the method requested.
• Don’t forget a cover letter. A great cover letter really can help your resume stand out. Learn how to make your teacher cover letter special here.

Contact Information

On today’s resumes, your mailing address is optional. In fact, if you’re looking for a job outside of your current geographical area, it can sometimes be helpful to leave it off. This way, employers won’t worry about whether you’re willing to relocate for the job.

Email addresses are not optional. This is the way most schools will contact you today, so be sure to provide yours. You might want to take a look at your address to make sure it sounds relatively professional too. Ideally, it simply contains a version of your name (e.g., “[email protected]”); don’t forget you can grab a free email address from sites like Gmail if you need to. But other addresses are fine too, as long as there’s nothing questionable. “[email protected]” is fine. “[email protected]” is not.

Professional Objective/Summary

As mentioned earlier, resume objectives are used less and less today. Recent college grads or those transitioning to teaching careers might still decide to include a professional objective statement. Those with more experience have replaced objectives with a summary statement that provides an overview of their career. It’s also OK to delete this section altogether if you’d like more space in the Relevant Work Experience section.

Education and Certifications

Include your undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as any certifications or licensures you hold. Note: It’s up to you whether you include your graduation date. Some people worry it can open them up to age discrimination. You’ll likely be asked for this information if you continue in the hiring process, so they can verify your degrees.

Related Experience

This is the real meat of your teacher resume. You can list jobs chronologically starting with the most recent, or choose to place your most relevant experience first. Either way, include your employer’s name, dates of employment, and the position/s you held. Then, highlight your experience and achievements. Strive to make your statements measurable and quantifiable rather than just a listing of your job duties.

Weak statements: ADVERTISEMENT

• Taught fifth grade science and math
• Prepared students for standardized math tests
• Oversaw annual school science fair

Strong statements:

• Instructed 100+ students each year in fifth grade science fundamentals, including human anatomy, electricity and magnetism, and earth and space science
• Improved standardized testing math scores by an average of 8% over a period of five years
• Organized seven annual school science fairs by coordinating 200+ participants, finding qualified judges, and arranging for prizes donated by the community

New college grad? You should definitely include your student teaching or internship experience in this section!

Additional Experience

You can use this section to include jobs you’ve held that aren’t quite as relevant to the one you’re applying for. If you’re new to the working world, it’s OK to include non-teaching jobs here. For those with longer careers, it’s probably not necessary to list every job you’ve ever had. Just highlight any experience that helps support your application or fills any employment gaps.

Professional Honors and Leadership

If you’ve received awards or honors related to teaching, share them here. The same goes for any leadership roles you’ve held in educational professional orgs.

Professional Affiliations

If space allows, you might want to include a short list of respected professional organizations you belong to. You should definitely include them if you play a very active role, have been invited to speak as an education expert at a conference, etc. Otherwise, this section is optional.

Other Teacher Resume Sections

Here are some sections you might consider adding if you have space, and a few to skip altogether.

• Professional skills: Don’t include this section if your skills are simply those expected of any teacher. But if you’ve built up any unusual and relevant teaching skills through experience or professional development, you could include them here. (Fluency in multiple languages, for example.)
• Community involvement or volunteer work: If you’ve been heavily involved in community organizations that work with children or education, consider highlighting those achievements on your resume.
• Publications: Have you published articles in an educational or professional journal, or had your work featured on a trusted, well-known website? Include any relevant articles and links.

Here’s what you don’t need on your resume:

• Hobbies or “unique” unrelated skills (like “juggling” or “Cordon Bleu chef”).
• Any information about religious or political affiliations, or your marital status, gender, race, or age. These could lead to potential bias or discrimination in the hiring process.
• References: Most people leave this section off their resume these days, as job applications or hiring committees will ask you for them separately. Line up your references and gather their contact information, but hang onto them until you’re asked to provide the info. You don’t even need to put “References available upon request,” since hiring managers already assume that.

As you complete your teacher resume template, use these examples for ideas about what to include and how to word it.

1. First-time teacher

This is a great resume for teachers with little to no experience.

2. Another first-time teacher example

Here’s one more example of a great teacher resume for those with limited experience.

3. Experienced elementary teacher

This one allows you to showcase your skills in a compact, visually appealing design.

4. Another experienced elementary teacher

This is one of those teacher resume examples that work best for those with some experience but who are still early in their career. (Note: Click the link above and scroll down to find it.)

5. Summer school teacher

Use this resume to highlight the unique skills of summer school teachers who work with students who are either repeating a course or trying to get ahead for the following school year.

6. Assistant teacher

Applying for an assistant teacher job will be much easier using one of the five fantastic teacher resume examples through this resource.

7. Special education teacher

As a special educator, your responsibilities may change from minute to minute and your skills need to adapt. This template helps you simplify your experience in a one-page resume.

8. School counselor

This resume will help you showcase your excellent mentoring, counseling, and leadership skills.

9. School guidance counselor

As a guidance counselor, your role is to guide students through academic development as well as personal growth. Use this template to show you how to highlight your unique talents.

10. Library media specialist

Showcase your ability to collect and maintain the valuable resources needed to foster a strong learning environment for students.

11. High school English teacher

Use this guide to create a great English teacher resume that will highlight your communication, interpersonal, and planning skills to edge out the competition.

12. Technology teacher

Emphasize your commitment to the ongoing professional development necessary to continue integrating the latest technology into the existing curriculum, and coming up with new lesson plans for today’s classrooms.

13. Music teacher

Share and showcase your love of introducing music to students with this straightforward teacher resume.

14. Drama teacher

This resume example is simple but perfect for drama teachers who want to emphasize their experience as well as their knowledge of acting techniques and production.

15. World language teacher

Establish yourself as the ideal candidate by demonstrating teaching skills, language proficiency, communication, and organizational skills.

16. Sports coach

As a coach, this template will help you demonstrate your ability to manage teams and sports programs as well as encourage academic performance.

17. ESL teacher

This teacher resume example allows you to highlight your classroom management skills, as well as your commitment to empathy, patience, and cultural awareness. (Note: Click the link above and scroll down to find it.)

18. Math teacher

This clean resume template showcases a math teacher’s ability to break down complex math concepts through patient, meaningful engagement with students.

19. Pre-K teacher

It takes a special person to be a great pre-K teacher. Working with young children while creating lesson and activity plans, monitoring progress, and providing quality supervision takes patience and kindness.

20. Business teacher

Put your best foot forward with this business teacher resume that emphasizes teaching methods and a commitment to ongoing professional development.

21. International school teacher

Use this resume to let hiring managers know that you’re not only motivated to help students learn but uniquely qualified. Be sure to highlight any experience living or traveling abroad as well as foreign language skills.

Get Your Free Teacher Resume Template

Just fill out the form on this landing page for instant access to a free Google Doc featuring a fully customizable teacher resume template.

Plus, check out tips for teacher job fairs and the most common teacher interview questions.

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