Updated January 11, 2024
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A teacher letter of intent is a letter used to attain a teaching position, receive a promotion, transfer to a different school, or to resign from a teaching position. With regard to a new job or a promotion, a letter of intent can be submitted to the appropriate recipient to strengthen a teacher’s chances of achieving their goal.
The letter should state their current position (or schooling/work experience if they are a new teacher), the position/school they desire, reasons they should be hired (qualifications, skills, contributions to the profession), and any other personal or professional information that could sway the school’s opinion.
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What Does a Teacher Do?
A teacher’s role is ultimately in educating students, be it children, young adults, or grown-ups, and inspiring creativity and learning through tactical instructional methods. Teachers may teach a wide range of subjects (typical of elementary and high school teachers) or concentrate most of their career in one area of study (colleges, universities, etc.).
The position of a teacher/professor is often a difficult one to navigate as there are many factors contributing to the learning environment that can have an effect on the students, the teacher, and the surrounding faculty and administration. A teacher must learn how to teach effectively and also how to take control of a classroom and implement disciplinary measures.
Due to the varying rates at which students learn, it’s important that teachers are able to present the curriculum in a way that all students, from the eager to the less-inclined listeners, can grasp the material. Teachers often acquire an acute sensibility to distinctive personalities and character traits, which allows them to maintain supervision and sustain concentration. It is a teacher’s duty to be a role model to their students and encourage them to embrace the process of learning, which, aside from understanding the subject matter at hand, is the fundamental goal of education.
Teacher LOI’s By Type
The following teacher letter of intents are defined for each type of situation that a teacher may come across throughout their career. The samples are for guidance and direction only; a letter of intent should be catered to one’s own situation and requirements:
- Teacher Letter of Intent for a Job Position
- Teacher Letter of Intent for a Promotion
- Teacher Letter of Intent for a Transfer
- Teacher Letter of Intent for a Resignation
- Teacher Letter of Intent for Returning
Teacher LOI for a Job Position
A teacher letter of intent for a job position is styled in the same way as a cover letter in other non-academic work industries. This letter will accompany a resume and provide some insight into the teacher’s character and passion for education. This is an opportunity to highlight key accomplishments and experiences as well as one’s suitability for the teaching position in question. It helps if the teacher researches the school so they can elaborate on why they want to work at this particular school and how they would be a good fit.
Sample
TEACHER LETTER OF INTENT (JOB POSITION)
Julia Montague
84 Hampton Lane, Kansas City, MO, 64801
(816) 234-8415
May 17th, 2018
Mr. Albert Brown, Principal
Rockhurst High School
5600 Rockhill Rd, Kansas City, MO, 64817
(816) 822-1485
Dear Mr. Brown,
I am very excited about the opportunity to teach at Rockhurst High School. I have followed the school newsletter for some time now and admire the way the classrooms and curricula are run. It would be a dream job for me and I hope you’ll consider me as the new grade 9 history teacher.
I received my bachelor of education at the University of Missouri with a major in history and a minor in political science. I maintained a 3.1 GPA throughout my post-secondary education and graduated with honors. During my time at Ole Miss I have been engaged in various volunteer and teaching assistance positions in my community. Summers I spent volunteering at the Tony Aguirre Community Center helping with the after-school program held there every afternoon on weekdays. I held a teaching assistant job as well for two years where I was able to flex some of my teaching skills in a classroom of first and second graders. Being an assistant was a great hands-on experience, solidifying my love for educating children and my ability to manage a large classroom setting.
I went abroad for my last year of high school, studying in Madrid, Spain for the first semester and Paris, France for the last. I am fluent in Spanish and quite proficient in French. This gives me a unique advantage in appreciating different cultures and understanding varying rates of learning amongst international students, of which I’m sure Rockhurst has plenty. I welcome the difficult, yet gratifying, challenge of managing the difference of abilities among students. I believe I can maintain the interest of all types of kids with activities tailored to break down complicated concepts to simple examples that all students can grasp.
If the position is offered to me, I know I’ll be a positive addition to the already distinguished staff of Rockhurst High School. I am eager to teach but also eager to learn more about the process of education and the development of young minds. It would be a pleasure to come in for an interview when it is convenient for you. Feel free to contact me if you should need anything that isn’t included in my resume. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
Julia Montague
Teacher LOI for a Promotion
The teacher letter of intent for a promotion is used by a teacher who wishes to upgrade to a higher position within their school. The letter must be addressed to the teacher’s supervisor (or whoever is in charge of the faculty) and should include the following information: the position they want, reasons why the promotion would be in the interest of all parties, and any other information that will support the teacher’s case.
Sample
TEACHER LETTER OF INTENT (PROMOTION)
Jane Watts
1023 Maribelle St, Albuquerque, NM, 78279
(605) 555-2580
March 29, 2018
Promotion and Tenure Committee
Ms. Delores Linetti, Division Head – Fine Art
300 W Bulham Rd., Albuquerque, NM, 78233
(605) 404-9091
Dear Ms. Linetti,
This letter of intent states my reasoning for a promotion request. My current position at Brenner College is Associate Professor of Literature and I believe I have earned the position of Professor. I have been working at Brenner for 9 years and throughout my time here have provided nothing but the best education for my students.
I believe it is in the best interest of the school as well as the students for me to be promoted to this new position. I will continue to commit the maximum time and energy required to make sure these students get the attention and instruction they deserve. Furthermore, being promoted to professor will help me grow and improve as an instructor, thus, benefiting myself, the school, and the students even further.
I want you to know that I appreciate the loyalty this school has shown me and I intend to continue to maintain this school’s sterling reputation. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
Assoc. Prof. Jane Watts, M.A.
Teacher LOI for a Transfer
Download: PDF, MS Word, OpenDocument
A teacher’s letter of intent for a transfer will be useful in situations where a teacher wishes to request a job transfer for personal reasons. A transfer occurs when a teacher changes schools within a particular school district. A transfer letter should state the teacher’s current position, the proposed position, reasons for the transfer request, and a closing statement of thanks. The letter should be addressed to the school superintendent.
Sample
85 Dolan Rd., Lafayette, LA, 70541
(337) 410-6444July 8, 2019Mr. Hal Iberton,
Superintendent School District No. 130
2000 W Congress St, Lafayette, LA, 70502
(337) 521-2232Dear Mr. Iberton,
I’m writing this letter to formally request a transfer from Lafayette High School to Northside High School. I have been teaching grade 11 Math and Science for the past three years and am happy in this position but I’m hoping to transfer schools next fall semester for scheduling reasons.
My children are entering into elementary school this September and the school at which they are enrolled is in the northside, where I also live. I am a single mother and am in charge of dropping off and picking up my kids. This will be much more difficult with the drive I have to make to the lower west side to get to my classes on time.
I hope you can understand my predicament and will consider my request for the transfer to Northside High. I want to continue to provide the best education for my students, but not at the sacrifice of my children’s needs.
Thank you.
Yours truly,
[Signature]
Maude Brinkworthy
Teacher LOI for Resignation
A teacher of letter of intent for resignation is really just another term for a letter of resignation. The teacher may wish to start a new career, move to a different state, or simply change jobs within their field. In most cases, a teacher will continue to teach until they are at an age of retirement, collecting a comfortable pension and leaving plenty of time for the school to find a replacement. A teacher letter of intent to resign is addressed to the superintendent (or individual in charge of faculty) and should state the teacher’s current position and their last day of teaching.
Sample
690 Bellevue Way, Bellevue, WA, 98006
(425) 454-6002January 12, 2019Mrs. Kaeli Kuznetsov
Superintendent
1035 116th Ave
Bellevene, WA, 98002Dear Mrs. Kuznetsov,
I regret to inform you that I intend to resign from my position as P.E. teacher at Bellevue High at the end of this semester. My last day will be June 21, 2019.
I have spent many wonderful years here at Bellevue and it is with a heavy heart that I have to leave. I would like thank the administration for their support over the years. I am confident you will find a suitable replacement and continue to provide the best education for the students.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help with the transition.
Warmest regards,
[Signature]
Ken Higgins