Resume Writing for Teachers

Writing a Resume for Teaching 2008 Dr. Bob Mroz Based in part on the work of Ray Bowers

Documents Required ( Varies by school board)
Generally:
application form
a well-written concise covering letter (1 page)
a concise and clear résumé (ideally 2 pages)
copies of your signed summative practicum reports from associate and advisor for each block
a list of people who can act as references (referees), usually 2 - 3
letters of reference, sometimes optional
transcripts, normally from your undergraduate study, photocopies or unofficial copies acceptable
pastoral reference, for CDSBs, Catholic philosophy statement (varies by board)

Application Forms
Most Boards require an application form to be completed. - Forms are usually found on the board’s web site
- May require separate form for Elementary/Secondary
- Fill out accurately and neatly
- Do not cross out or use white-out
- Complete as much as possible – DO NOT SAY “SEE RESUME”

What is a Resume?
A resume is a concise document that clearly presents, and effectively sells, your most relevant and positive credentials for employment.
In your case: What are the relevant and positive credentials for acquiring a teaching position?

Timeframe
Your resume reflects your qualifications, experiences, skills etc. to date. It does not include your plans for the future, your philosophy, or what else you would like to teach.
It must be kept current and revised after each teaching block.
The resume is good only until you get your full time teaching position. After that you edit out practice teaching experience, high school references awards etc. and reformat.

What Does It Do?
Along with your practicum reports
and a well-written cover letter, an effective resume helps you in getting an interview for a teaching position.

The Best Resumes
Are 2 pages (font size 11-14) (to be discussed)
(TDSB only accepts 2 page resumes)
Offer a concise career history in reverse chronology
Are results oriented
Always have educational qualifications first, Degrees, Divisions
Well organized, consistent structure, concise clauses
Easily readable, standard format, common font, lots of white space, standard margins
Have no graphics, symbols, photographs or fancy script
Should be suitable for faxing or electronic filing

Results Oriented
Your resume should be results oriented, not activity oriented. A few succinct lines that discuss your accomplishments tell an employer more than a full page listing activities.
Sometimes your entry speaks for itself (e.g. a job you held – ‘waitress’) and requires no further information

Visual Representation
The way a resume looks is important. First impressions matter. The first time a principal/school board staff member meets you is through the application, cover letter and the resume.
Use a layout and font that suits you; be consistent in your formatting
Ensure your resume is clear and easy to read
Use white space effectively; lots of white space
Do not write under dates; dates should stand on their own
Suggested Fonts:
Arial, Times Roman, or Helvetica Why? Clarity, simplicity of design, and looks better when photocopied

Length
Ideally your resume should be a maximum of two pages (2)
Since you have three (3) teaching blocks you can get away with a resume that is somewhat longer (unless a Board specifies otherwise – TDSB only accepts 2 pages)
One of the hardest things for teachers applying for the first time is to let go of information. You must remember boards/principals are looking to hire you as a teacher. What factors contribute to this?
Remove any extraneous words. Edit thoroughly.

Consistent Format
There is no one right format
Opinions vary….and you will hear many
It is a matter of personal choice ensuring the basic formatting guidelines are followed
The format of your resume should be consistent throughout:
- In design; layout
- In the type of font
- In the use of fonts

Accuracy
Accuracy is important
Use Canadian spelling
Do not rely on spelling or grammar check
Check and recheck the accuracy of your spelling and grammar
Have at least two others read and edit your resume

Heading (first page)
Headings can vary
A heading can reflect your personal style
Do not get too fancy - this is the first thing that the reader sees
Check accuracy of your personal information. Where can you be reached – school year, summer etc?
Ensure your e-mail is in good taste!
Suggested Font Size – 16 for name; 11 for address etc.
Put a solid line after your heading

Most Common Headings
Robert Frost
1842 King St. East
Hamilton, ON, L8K 1V7
Phone: 905.574.3555
E-mail: [email_address]
or
ROBERT FROST
1842 King St. East
Phone: 905.574.3555
E-mail: [email_address]

Other Ideas
See handout for other heading ideas

Second Page
The top of your second page and your third page, if necessary, contains your name (left) and page number (right). This can be done in the header. Do not number the first page.
Draw a solid line under them
Font Size 11
Example:
Robert Frost Page 2 of 2
One Reason : Often a resume is copied and faxed and the pages can be misplaced or get out of order.

Formats Most Common
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Education In progress
Brock University, Faculty of Education, St. Catharines, ON
Intermediate/Senior Teaching Qualifications: Accounting, Italian
OR
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Education In progress
Brock University, Faculty of Education, St. Catharines, ON
Intermediate/Senior Teaching Qualifications: Accounting, Italian
Bold Italics Regular

Formats Most Common
EDUCATION
In Progress Bachelor of Education
Brock University, Hamilton, ON
Intermediate/Senior Teaching Qualifications: Biology and Chemistry

2006 Bachelor of Science, Honours
McMaster University, Hamilton, ON

Headings to Include (All May Not Apply To You)
Education
Additional Qualifications
Teaching Experience or Classroom Experience (Includes Practicum)
Related Teaching Experience (Paid)
Employment History (Consider relevancy, time)
Specific Skills i.e., computer, second language
Community Outreach (Volunteer work)
Professional Development

Follow Same Format Throughout
Teaching Experience
Student Teacher - Grade 9 Applied Science
Nowhere Catholic Secondary School, Hamilton, ON, November 2008
Developed a unit on Reproduction: Processes and Applications
using “design-down” planning
Constructed, administered, and marked a unit test
Employment History
Aquatic Instructor and Pool Manager 2000 - 2002
Hamilton Parks and Recreation, Hamilton, ON
Implemented and evaluated programs and supervised staff

Concurrent Students
Education
Bachelor of Physical Education (Honours) In Progress
Bachelor of Education
Brock University, St. Catharines, ON
Intermediate Senior Teaching Qualifications: Physical & Health
Education and History
Concurrent Education Program (2004 – present)

Practicum
Under Teaching Experience include your practicum in reverse chronological order (the most recent block will always be first)
Identify 3 to 4 relevant things you accomplished/learned
- choose 3 from the classroom
- choose 1 (if possible, school wide)
Your accomplishments/what you learned must be consistent with your teaching reports
Just as important as what you say, is how you say it. Use action words to stress accomplishments, performance, motivation and involvement etc.
Use a verb to begin all entries; be clear and concise
No punctuation at the end of the statement
After each practicum you may wish to edit the previous practicum to reduce the length of the resume

Verbs for Teaching Resume
D
Other Verbs at: http://www.quintcareers.com/action_skills.html
Adapted Developed Instructed Advised Directed Managed Clarified Encouraged Motivated Coached Evaluated Organized Communicated Explained Participated Conducted Facilitated Planned Constructed Guided Taught Coordinated Individualized Tested Critiqued Informed Trained Designed Instilled Tutored

References
The is a difference between a reference (referee) and a ‘Letter of Reference’
Boards will ask you to provide up to two or three references
Boards would prefer to communicate with a person who has observed you teaching
You will be asked to identify on your application your references with contact information. Only provide the number of references asked for – no more and no less
You will be asked to complete and sign a form under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act to contact these references.
It is your responsibility to obtain references and permission to use them. Only use a reference when you have obtained the person’s permission to do so
DO NOT write on your application form or resume: References available upon request

References
In addition:
Attach an additional sheet with your resume listing your references with full contact information (This is not part of your resume per se.)
Find out from them where and how they can be contacted beyond the place of employment, especially in summer months
Contact information must be kept current
Sample Contact Information:
Dr. Robert Frost
Faculty Advisor
Brock University
1842 King St. East
Phone: 905.574.3555
Home: 905.123.4567 (Preferred)
E-mail: rfrost@brocku.ca

Resume Pet Peeves
Spelling, Grammatical, Typographical Errors
Too long (more than 2 pages – to be discussed)
Misleading Information (Education, Dates, Titles)
Dates not included or inaccurate
Comments from others written in resume. These belong in letters of reference. Resumes are about you by you.
Avoid jargon or technical terms that do not apply to teaching
Irrelevant job and personal information
Making your entry on your resume more than what it is
Inaccurate contact information
Paragraphs instead of points
Meaningless objectives or profile
Pictures, graphics, fancy scripts
Bolding of information that you want them to read.

Things You Should Not Do
Never sign or date your resume or put the word “resume” at the top
Never include any personal information, for example, age, race, marital status, sex, religion etc.
Never include an AQ course you have not taken
Be succinct. Never use sentences or the word “I”
Do not omit the dates of degrees, courses or jobs
Do not use coloured paper
Do not send a photo of yourself
Do not ever fold your resume- use a 9X12 envelope
Do not staple – use a paper clip; it will most likely be copied

Common Questions
Should I include my high school education in my resume?
Should I list all the rewards I have received?
What if I travelled for a year or more and had a gap in my resume?
If I am applying to a Catholic Board is there anything different I need to include?
Should I include ‘Letters of Reference’? If so, how many?
Other

The Successful Candidate
Has a philosophy about teaching and learning… and can articulate it!
Is knowledgeable about current issues, directions and technologies… both locally and provincially.
Can discuss the key components of programs
Communicates passion, excitement and enthusiasm for teaching

What Boards are Looking for
Commitment to Students and to Student Success; desire
Classroom Management Skills
Variety of Curriculum and Instructional Skills; ability to plan
Subject Knowledge
Interpersonal Skills (i.e., Team Player; Willingness to contribute to the Learning Community)
Openness to life long learning; openness to change
Skills: Computer Skills; Communication Skills; Problem-solver
Capacity to take direction
Some understanding of the bigger picture in Ontario education; current topics, issues…e.g. Student Success, Literacy, Character Education, Diversity (esp. GTA) , Differentiated Instruction…
Broad range of interests

Useful Contacts
Names and addresses of individual schools boards are available at the Ministry web site: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/sbinfo/
Links for public and catholic school boards in Ontario: http://info.educ.queensu.ca/careers/procedures/boards.html
Search for private schools at: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/privsch/search.asp
Canadian Association of Independent Schools (CAIS): http://www.cais.ca/
Apply to Education - 202 Canadian School Boards. (Caution: Before joining make sure the board you are applying to is listed.): http://www.applytoeducation.com/
Education Canada – Teaching vacancies: http://www.educationcanada.com/
Jobs in Education (Various Countries): http://www.jobsineducation.com/
Workopolis (Often posts jobs in education): http://www.workopolis.com
Search: “Overseas Teaching Jobs” for teaching positions in other countries

http://www.drcamillerutherford.com	2589
http://www.brocku.ca	379
http://brocku.ca	11
http://pinterest.com	10
http://www.slideshare.net	2

Resume Writing for Teachers

by crutherford

Accessibility

Categories

Upload Details

Usage Rights

5 Embeds 2,991

Statistics