Resume Writing for Teachers

Resume Writing for Teachers

Presented byOlga M. Lazin

UCLA Counseling and Career Services

A Service of Student Affairs

What is a Resume?What is a Resume?

An accomplishment-oriented marketing tool

Provides relevant information about you

Relates to your career objective

Goal of a Resume

Introduces you as a qualified candidate

Motivates employer to interview you

ContentContent

Brief, one or two pages

Highlights education & work experience that is relevant to the job

PreparationPreparation Prepare an inventory of your skills, accomplishments, education, goals, and experience

Study a description of the position sought: skills needed, duties of job, education and work experience required

Where do You Start? Try a Chronological Format Date-oriented history of education & experience

Highlights consistent work record Illustrates experiences within job titles

Components of Chronological Resume Personal Data Objective Summary (optional) Education Experience Skills Honors and Activities

Personal DataPersonal Data

Provide the EssentialsName

Permanent Address

•Phone number and email address

A simple statement of type of job you are seeking– A position as a multiple subject teacher

Do not go into lengthy explanation

OBJECTIVEOBJECTIVE

Three or bullets which highlight or summarize skills or experience you want to show recruiter at top of resume– Three years multiple subject classroom experience

– Background in developing recreation programs for children

– Excellent communication skills developed through…

SummarySummary

EducationEducation

List your credential, degree(s) with major, school, date of graduation

List most recent first. Include GPA (if over 3.0), applicable coursework (if inexperienced), and special projects where appropriate.

ExperienceExperience Include volunteer and paid experience – anything related to working with children

Highlight accomplishments Qualify and quantify using action verbs and descriptive phrases

List most recent experience first Consider placing experience under headings of “Related Experience” and “Additional” or “Other Experience

JEAN SANCHEZ-SMITH5151 Grace Road, Gardena, CA 90247 (310) 222-7777 jsmith5@hotmail.com

Objective A position as an elementary school teacher

Summary . Over three years multiple subject classroom experience . Work with diverse students; e.g., ELD, students with disabilities, at-risk . Background in community service working with children ages 5-13

Education California State University, Dominguez Hills Multiple Subject Credential, BCLAD (Ryan) May 2004

Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Studies, Art Option May 2000 GPA 3.5 Related courses: Child Development, Psychology of the Child

Related Experience Feb 03-Present Student Teacher, 4th Grade, XYZ School, Los Angeles, CA

Assisted teacher in developing curriculum in math, science, and reading; directed small and large group instruction in writing and language arts. Taught special unit on Art. Developed after school homework program.

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

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

Additional Experience May 01-Aug 03 Sales Representative, Macy’s, Torrance

Provided assistance to customers in English and Spanish; trained new employees

Skills Word, Excel, PowerPoint; Bilingual English/Spanish

Honors and CSUDH Dean’s ListActivities Secretary, Future Teachers Club

Volunteer, Big Brothers, Big Sisters; Kindercare Preschool

Interests Painting, Volleyball, Violin

Resume Language Use formal language; avoid slang Do not abbreviate Avoid “I” statements Use correct verb tenses – present tense for current jobs, past tense for previous

Finalizing Your ResumeFinalizing Your Resume

Length: 1-2 pages Duplicate on quality 8 1/2 X 11 bond or parchment paper

Select neutral color Maintain 3/4 inch to 1 inch margins

Have several people proofread for content, grammar, spelling – Very Important for teachers

Cover Letters•A cover letter will:

Introduce you

Clarify the position for which you are applying

Enable you to highlight strengths or address problem areas

5151 Grace Road Gardena, CA 90247

March 1, 2004

Ms. Karen FieldsCertificated PersonnelXYZ Elementary SchoolTorrance, CA 90000

Dear Ms. Fields:

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

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

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

Sincerely,

Jean Sanchez-SmithAttachment

Tips on Writing the Letter1. Use the same paper as for your resume

2. The cover letter should be 1 page maximum

3. Use regular business letter format

4. Always address it to a person, not “to whom it may concern”

5. First state the position for which you are applying

6. Tell them how you learned about the position

7. State your qualifications for the position

8. Address any “problem areas” such as your not meeting one of the preferred qualifications

9. Close it with a statement about your interest and hope for an interview

10.Proofread the letter very carefully-grammar, spelling very important, especially to a teacher!

Per AAEE Handbook “A well-prepared portfolio shows your achievements, documents the scope and quality of your experience and training, and highlights your skills and abilities”

Portfolios include: Resume, transcripts, background clearances, teaching certificate

PORTFOLIO

PORTFOLIO – cont’d Awards, philosophy of education, classroom management plan, teaching samples including tests, homework, worksheets, projects, your evaluations and letters of recommendation

Be sure to respect student confidentiality be removing names.

Student Development Website –http://career.ucla.edu/Homepage.aspx. Click on Career Services. Click on PhD or Masters, or on Education.

You will find links to websites for teaching jobs and information, particularly Education, JOIN

Also links to Education Job Fairs, school districts in L.A. and Orange Counties, and a sample resume

Employment Resources