When applying for a position as a substitute teacher, it’s important to customize your cover letter to speak to the position requirements. Having a cover letter that is positioned in a way that satisfies what the principal or faculty member is looking for can go a long way in ensuring your employment.

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Substitute Teacher Cover Letter Tips

Substitute teachers aren’t very different from a regular educator. While their resumes and cover letters might be more designed around their ability to be adaptable (link) in the workplace, their education, experience, and passions reign the same.

Here are a few components to what makes up a great substitute teacher cover letter:

• Ensuring your merits and certifications are brought up. Don’t be shy about this. Having certain certifications, like CPR training, can be extremely helpful in your ability to land your next teaching position.
• Ensuring you have great reasoning behind your desire to educate. Go above and beyond some type of personal story. Make a connection with the education field so that the principal or faculty member reading your application can be secure knowing that you have a passion for education.
• Emphasize the work you do out of the classroom. This can be extremely beneficial. Is there a community activity that you are part of? Is there a non-profit organization that you are with? Anything that can show you care about others and care about the community, will bode well for your cover letter.
• Emphasize your ability to pick up the curriculum. One of the main job requirements of all substitute teachers is the ability to pick up the curriculum and ensure students don’t experience any delay in receiving their education. Lean into this as part of your prior experience.

Cover Letter Sample & Template

Here is a template for teachers, customized for your ability to be a substitute teacher.

James Bradley
123 Rough St.,
Chicago, IL 60119
630-000-0000
j.bradley@gmail.com

April 4, 2019

Mr. Jeffrey Howe
Principal
Jefferson Elementary School
123 Half St.,
Chicago, IL 60119

Dear [Principal Last Name] —

I’m eager and excited to be applying for the position of Substitute Teacher at [school name]. I’ve had a passion for education ever since I was young. I was diagnosed with dyslexia and educators were the ones who were able to get me on a better path. It was life-changing for me and started my passion for education.

A few things you should know about me regarding my education background:
[College you went to]
[Any MBA you received]
[Any Latin honors like Magna Cum Laude]
[Any additional education experience, like clubs or groups]

While my educational background doesn’t define me, it is something I am proud of. My passion for education is always centered at individuality and community. With regard to the community, a few things I do outside of the classroom:

[Any community service you perform]
[Any community involvement you have]
[Any clubs you are part of that are about the community]

I look forward to connecting with you and showing you my ability to pick up the curriculum needs and educate students while the primary teacher is on a leave of absence.

I look forward to interviewing with you.

Sincerely,
James Bradley

Cover Letter Example

If you aren’t exactly sure how to use the template provided, here’s what you might want it to look like when you are finished:

James Bradley
123 Rough St.,
Chicago, IL 60119
630-000-0000
j.bradley@gmail.com

April 4, 2019

Mr. Jeffrey Howe
Principal
Jefferson Elementary School
123 Half St.,
Chicago, IL 60119

Dear Mr. Jeffrey Howe —

I’m eager and excited to be applying for the position of Substitute Teacher at Jefferson Elementary School. I’ve had a passion for education ever since I was young. I was diagnosed with dyslexia and educators were the ones who were able to get me on a better path. It was life-changing for me and started my passion for education.

A few things you should know about me regarding my education background:
Northern Illinois University, Undergraduate in Education
Aurora University, MBA in Education
3.7 GPA in 2015, Magna Cum Laude
Young Educators Student Body President

While my educational background doesn’t define me, it is something I am proud of. My passion for education is always centered at individuality and community. With regard to the community, a few things I do outside of the classroom:

Mooseheart Orphanage Legion Member
Local 321 Secret Santa Organizer
“Pick Up Trash Day” Community Organizer

I look forward to connecting with you and showing you my ability to pick up the curriculum needs and educate students while the primary teacher is on a leave of absence.

I look forward to interviewing with you.

Sincerely,
James Bradley

Other Teacher Resources

• Learn how to write the ideal cover letter when applying for a teaching position - 2 Cover Letter Templates For Teachers (Copy + Paste Ready)
• Learn how to write the ideal cover letter when applying for a substitute teaching position - 2 Substitute Teacher Cover Letter Templates (Copy + Paste Ready)
• Learn what the top five mistakes are and how to avoid them, when writing a cover letter for a teaching position - 5 Cover Letter Mistakes Teachers Should Avoid (+ Examples)
• Learn what the five best teacher aide interview questions and answers are - 5+ Best Teacher Aide Interview Questions & Answers
• Learn what the five best teacher assistant interview questions and answers are - 5+ Best Teacher Assistant Interview Questions & Answers

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