Elementary Teacher
Resume Example

To be a successful elementary school teacher in 2021, you must create engaging learning environments for young children — whether you’re teaching in a traditional classroom or an online learning space.

But before you can get your hands dirty with papier-mâché and virtual field trips to the zoo, you’ll need a top-notch elementary teacher resume. Discover how to write a resume that gets you hired with these four tips:

1. Add key elementary teacher skills

Interpersonal skills are essential for elementary school teachers. Besides working with students, teachers regularly meet and collaborate with parents and other teachers.

So, the teacher skills you put on your resume should show that you’re a people person. Here are examples of good interpersonal skills to list on your resume:

• Active listening
• Empathy
• Communication skills
• Presentation skills
• Leadership skills
• Emotional intelligence
• Social skills

Teaching elementary school also requires other hard and soft skills for the classroom, like the following:

• Classroom management software (Common Curriculum, ClassDojo, and Nearpod)
• Lesson planning
• Computer skills
• Remote/hybrid teaching tools (Zoom, video conferencing cameras, and document cameras)
• Cloud file sharing (Google Drive and Dropbox)
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• SMART Board
• Organizational skills
• Time management
• Creativity

You can describe your people skills in your elementary school teacher resume’s resume summary, work experience section, or skills section.

Here’s an example of teaching skills detailed in a work experience section:

• Create and adapt lesson plans according to students’ academic needs, including both individual and group work
• Maintain an open-door policy for 6:30–8:00 am parent/teacher conferences three days a week
• Develop TEKS-compatible health and nutrition activities to promote better food and exercise habits

2. Start strong with a resume objective

A resume objective is a short summary for hiring managers who don’t have the time to read every detail of your resume.

Therefore, you must fill each sentence of your objective with information that helps the hiring manager determine if you’re qualified:

• Sentence 1: State your professional title and how many years of work experience you have.
• Sentence 2: Describe your unique teaching skills or accomplishments relevant to your target position.
• Sentence 3: List any certifications or credentials needed for the role.
• Sentence 4 (optional): Announce your job-seeking goals.

Here’s a sample teacher resume objective:

Elementary School Teacher with 6+ years of experience managing classrooms of 20–25 students. Adept at using positive reinforcement teaching techniques to encourage student behavior and growth. Licensed teacher in Texas, with a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies and Special Education certificate. Looking to leverage creativity and teaching experience to engage at-risk students.

3. Include your education certifications

You might be amazing at getting students’ attention and teaching them the basics of math — but none of the skills needed to be a teacher matter if you don’t have a proper teaching certification.

Thus, it’s crucial to emphasize your teaching credentials on your resume to let the hiring manager know you meet the most basic employment requirements.

To become an elementary school teacher in the United States, you need at least a bachelor’s degree and a state-issued license or certificate. State licensing requirements vary, though, so double-check yours when preparing your resume.

Even if you’re applying to a private school that doesn’t require teaching credentials, include your teaching certifications. Doing so shows that you exceed the minimum job requirements.

4. Format your resume based on your experience level

Your most relevant qualifications should be at the top of your resume so the hiring manager doesn’t miss them. Therefore, the order of your resume sections depends on how much experience you have:

• If you have relevant teaching work experience, place it under your resume header and introduction. Then add your education section and skills section.
• If you’re writing a resume with no experience, move your education and skills sections up to emphasize your relevant coursework and abilities.