Elementary Teacher Resume Writing Tips

Any individual who desires a career working with young children has a whole set of skills and aptitudes that are unique to the profession. However, even though classes are pretty much self contained at that age, each elementary school teacher often has a major besides early childhood education. An elementary teacher resume would be focused on obtaining a job teaching school, but may also express a preference for a special age or grade level.

Elementary Teacher Resume – Objective Statement

The objective statement in an elementary teach resume would not only express a desire for a job teaching but it may also highlight goals or special interests. For instance, some teachers are certified in special education while others may be more equipped to deal with with gifted classes. In a case like this, the resume might read, “Seeking to work with fourth and/or fifth grade students in an accelerated learning environment.” While another resume might state, “To obtain a rewarding position in grades K – 2 working with children with special needs.”

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Elementary Teacher Resume – Qualifications and Skills

Qualifications and skills may, or may not, be in relation to training as a teacher. Many skills that prepare a teacher to work with children have absolutely nothing to do with formalized education. An elementary teacher resume might list skills such as a love for working with children, highly energetic, focused on ‘whole language’ education, and other qualities that just cannot be learned in college. Perhaps a qualification would be that the teacher believes in the individuality of each child, and that all children are gifts to be cherished.

Professional Experience for an Elementry Teacher Resume

In the professional experience portion of the elementary teacher resume, all positions relevant to teaching and/or working with children within the past five to ten years are absolutely necessary to be listed. For new teachers, this could also include the final semester of university where they did their practical (intern) teaching. All other teachers who have had jobs should begin with their current, or most recent position, and list them in reverse chronological order. The school where the teacher was employed and the dates of employent should be listed. Immediately following each placement, responisbilities are listed which would include grades being taught, and other duties such as detention once weekly and/or bus duty.

Educational Requirements for an Elementry Teacher Resume

Although every state has their own criteria for teacher accreditation, it is pretty standardized that a certain number of credit/semester/quarter hours be completed in education courses. Most states have a minimum educational requirement of a Bachelor in Arts or Science, with a major in Childhood Education. Many schools, especially private schools, require a Master’s Degree. This is also mandatory in many states if a teacher is going to work with special needs students. An incentive to graduate work is that most school districts have higher pay rates for those teachers with graduate degrees.

Working with children is both rewarding and taxing at the same time. Children have so much energy and inquisitiveness that it truly takes a special kind of person to do the job, and do it well. There is always a shortage of qualified teachers and finding a job should not be difficult if the application process is handled with professionalism. Sample elementary teacher resumes can be found online to help teachers format their resumes with relative ease.