How to Create Your Teacher Resume: FAQs and Best Practices

Navigating the world of teaching can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when it comes to crafting the perfect resume. As a former teacher and someone who works with educators worldwide daily through Moreland University, I know how intimidating this step can be. 

Whether you’re a recent graduate or a seasoned educator, creating a compelling teaching resume is crucial for highlighting your achievements and standing out in a competitive job market. This FAQ-style guide aims to answer common questions and provide valuable tips to help you build a standout teacher resume.  

1. What should I include in my teacher resume? 

A well-structured teacher resume should include the following sections: 

• Contact Information: Include your full name, phone number, and email address. You may also wish to include your LinkedIn profile or professional website that illustrates your teaching practices and experience. This is also a great place for Moreland candidates to highlight the e-portfolio they create during the TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program.   
• Professional Summary: Near the top of your teacher resume, it can be helpful to include a brief compelling statement highlighting your teaching philosophy, key skills, and career goals.  
• Education and Certifications: List your degrees, certifications, and any relevant coursework. Don’t forget to mention any teaching credentials or licenses, and be sure to include the state, subject area, and grade level. This is also a great place to highlight professional development courses or special training. 
• Experience: Detail your teaching experience, including clinical learning or student teaching, tutoring, internships, and volunteer work. Highlight key achievements and responsibilities from these roles. This is also a great place to add any extracurricular events you have experience chairing or chaperoning at your school.  
• Skills: It’s important to include both hard and soft skills relevant to teaching, such as classroom management, lesson planning, and communication. You should also include your skills with educational technology and/or artificial intelligence in the classroom — skills Moreland equips candidates with in our online programs.  
• Professional Affiliations: List any memberships in educational organizations or associations. 
• References: Although not always necessary on a resume, be prepared to provide personal and professional references upon request. 

2. How should I list my teacher certification on my resume? 

When looking at how to list teacher certifications on a resume, placement is key. You want any teacher certifications to be clear and prominently displayed on your resume.  

You can do this by creating a dedicated section titled “Certifications” or “Teaching Certifications” on your resume, or you can combine this section with the “Education” section of your resume.  

When noting a teaching certification on your resume, include key information such as the full name of the certification, the issuing body, and the date of completion or expiration.  For instance, you might write, “State of Georgia Professional Teaching Certificate – Elementary Education, issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, June 2023.” 

If you completed your educator preparation program (EPP) requirement through an esteemed, accredited institution like Moreland University, be sure to prominently highlight this information within the education section of your resume as it adds credibility and highlights your professional training.  

This approach ensures hiring managers can easily verify your qualifications and see that you meet the required standards for the teaching position. 

3. What if I’m a career changer entering the teaching profession? 

If you are a career changer going from an industry job to a teaching role, it’s important your resume showcases:  

• Transferable Skills: Highlight skills from your previous career that are transferable to teaching, such as project management, leadership, and communication. 
• Relevant Experience: Emphasize any volunteer work, tutoring, or coaching experience that demonstrates your commitment to education. 
• Education: If you’re completing a teaching certification program like those offered by Moreland University, be sure to include that in your education section. 

4. How can I make my teacher resume stand out? 

• Tailor your resume for each job application by emphasizing the experiences and skills that match the job description. 
• Start each bullet with strong action verbs like “implemented,” “developed,” or “collaborated” to convey your impact. 
• Quantify your achievements, when possible, by using numbers to highlight your accomplishments (e.g., “increased student test scores by 15%”). 
• Highlight your educational technology skills, which are increasingly important in modern classrooms. Moreland equips our candidates with educational technology and artificial intelligence (AI) skills, so they are prepared to be successful teachers today and tomorrow.  
• Proofread your resume to ensure it’s free of typos and grammatical errors. A polished resume reflects your attention to detail and professionalism. 

5. How should I format and design my teacher resume? 

When it comes to formatting and designing your teacher resume, simple is best. Use a clean, professional design and avoid overly fancy fonts or graphics. Use bullet points to organize information and make it easy for hiring managers to quickly read. Maintain a consistent layout throughout, paying attention to font size, spacing, and headings.  

The length of your teaching resume is often dependent on experience. Aim for a one-page resume if you’re early in your career. Two pages are acceptable if you have extensive relevant experience. 

6. How can Moreland University help in building a strong teacher resume? 

Moreland University offers comprehensive teacher preparation programs that equip aspiring educators with the skills and credentials needed to excel. Here are some ways an education from Moreland can enhance your resume: 

• Accredited Programs: Moreland’s programs are accredited and recognized, which adds credibility to your educational background. 
• Practical Experience: Our university emphasizes practical, hands-on teaching experiences — including 12 weeks of clinical learning embedded in our certification pathways. This helps ensure you have substantial classroom experience to highlight on your resume. 
• Educational Technology: Moreland prepares its candidates to excel at educational technology and AI — factors that are increasingly important in modern classrooms.  
• Global Perspective: With a focus on global education, Moreland prepares you to teach in diverse, multicultural environments — an asset in today’s interconnected world. 

7. What common mistakes should I avoid on my teacher resume? 

• Generic Statements: Avoid vague statements that don’t add value, such as “responsible for teaching students.” 
• Irrelevant Information: Keep the content relevant to the teaching position you’re applying for. Exclude unrelated jobs or experiences. 
• Lack of Specificity: Be specific about your duties and achievements. Instead of saying you “taught math,” mention that you “designed and implemented a new math curriculum for 6th graders.” 
• Overloading with Jargon: While it’s important to use industry-specific terms, avoid overloading your resume with jargon that might be unclear to non-educational professionals reviewing your resume. 

Creating an effective teacher resume is about showcasing your qualifications, experience, and passion for education in a clear, professional manner. By following these tips, you can craft a teacher resume that highlights your strengths and sets you apart in the job market. Whether you’re just starting your teaching career or looking to advance it, a well-prepared resume is your first step towards success in the educational field. 

Prepare for a rewarding career in education with Moreland University 

With online alternative teacher certification pathways and master’s programs, Moreland helps current and aspiring educators obtain their U.S. teaching certification and thrive throughout their careers. To discover how we can help you achieve your teaching dreams, visit moreland.edu or request more information.