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Teacher Resignation Letter | Templates & Samples

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Teacher Resignation Letter | Templates & Samples

Updated September 12, 2023

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A teacher resignation letter is a notification utilized by an individual in a teaching position that no longer wishes to continue their current employment. This may be for any reason but the recommended practice is to give the educational organization the most amount of notice as possible to assist their efforts in finding a new teacher. At the very least, two (2) weeks in the minimum time-period that will at least allow for the school to find a substitute. This type of resignation is usually delivered personally by the vacating teacher.

Table of Contents

What to Include

  • Date written
  • Resignation date
  • Reason for resignation
  • Gratitude for position
  • School Name and Address
  • Effective date of resignation
  • Name and Address of teacher resigning
  • Signature

How to Resign from Teaching (4 steps)

  1. Find Job
  2. Speak with Superintendent
  3. Fill Out Letter
  4. File Resignation

1. Find Job

Teaching application that has been accepted

Prior to resigning from any position an individual will want to ensure there is already a job lined up in the process. This will provide a seamless transition between jobs and their resume will further validate the transition was completed responsibly.

2. Speak with Superintendent

The individual resigning should speak with any superiors prior to resigning, whether the Principal or Superintendent of the District. This will provide the Superintendent time to begin the process of finding a substitute teacher or appropriate candidate.

3. Fill Out Letter

The resignation letter should be filed out to completion. Ensure all elements are addressed to provide no confusion or misinterpretation of the resignation.

4. File Resignation

teacher handing in resignation letter to boss

Providing a letter of resignation to the Superintendent may be enough to filed with your local school board however, the individual should consult their contact to ensure an additional copy should not be submitted directly with the School Board.

How to Write (Format)

When writing your letter of resignation, you should include a declaration of your intent to resign, the exact date that your resignation will become effective, and your reason for leaving. Odds are that you will be using this school as a reference, so you should always maintain a professional tone. If you enjoyed your experience teaching there, express your appreciation and gratitude. The more thoughtful and positive your letter is, the better your chances are that you can rely on this principal as a reference in the future.

If you are leaving your current position due to personal dissatisfaction or conflicts within the school, you shouldn’t explain this. Instead, try to keep your letter as concise, professional, and courteous as possible.

Formal Letterhead

At the top of your letter, you should include a letterhead which indicates your name and personal contact information, the name and position of the person to which the letter is being addressed, the school or school district address, and the date.

Example

Filipe Nunez
324 Elm St.
Boulder, CO, 45012
(555) 555-5555

Belinda Thompson
Principal
Northwest High School
425 Remington Ave.
Boulder, CO, 45881

April 21, 2017

Salutation/Introduction

Begin your letter with a formal salutation directed at your principal or superintendent, and a brief introductory paragraph. Inform them that you will be resigning, state the position that you are resigning from, and indicate what your last day of work will be. If you are leaving your current teaching position in the middle of term, you may wish to briefly explain whatever personal reasons have prompted you to do so.

Example #1

Dear Mrs. Finkelstein,

I am writing this letter to inform you that I will be leaving my current position as 5th grade teacher at Hillbrook Elementary. My last day of work will be June 19th of this year, and my resignation will become effective September 1st.

Example #2

Dear Mr. Adelaye,

Please accept this letter as the formal notice of my resignation from my current position as a 7th Grade Teacher, effective February 12th, 2017. Regrettably, my current health situation does not permit me to be able to fulfill my duties this year.

Body Paragraph(s)

In the body paragraph(s) of your letter, you can go into a little more detail describing your reason(s) for leaving your current teaching position. Your resignation letter will be kept on record, so be sure to mention the positive experiences and learning opportunities you were given during your tenure. It is best to demonstrate gratitude and appreciation when addressing your principal as he/she will be responsible for writing you a letter of reference in the future.

Example #1

After much consideration, I have decided to continue my studies at Penn University this Fall and complete my Doctorate in Microbiology. I have enjoyed my career working as a Science teacher at Whitehorse High School, and I will miss my fellow staff members dearly. It will be bittersweet to finish this term, as I will be leaving along with the graduating class, most of whom I taught since my first year at Whitehorse. I am so proud of my students and all that they have accomplished.

I would like to thank you, Ms. Chesterfield, for being such an understanding principal to work with. I have always appreciated that you are willing to listen to your staff and come up with solutions cooperatively to ensure the best for your faculty and students. With the help of yourself and the rest of the teaching staff, I have greatly improved as an educator, for which I am forever grateful.

Example #2

Although I will be leaving mid-term, I will remain as advisor for my replacement, Ms. Janet Wilson. During the next two weeks, I will be accompanying her in-class and having review sessions to help her get on track with my lesson plan. She is a very capable teacher, and has worked in my class as a substitute teacher before.

I truly appreciate your support during this difficult time. Teaching the 3rd Grade at Sandy Beach Elementary has been the career of my dreams and it is with great sadness that I am resigning. During the past several years, I have developed many cherished connections with the staff, parents and students at Sandy Beach. Although I will dearly miss everyone, I am certain that we will remain in contact.

Conclusion

At the end of your letter, you should write a concluding sentence or paragraph, followed by a formal sign off, your signature and your typed name. In your conclusion, you may restate your gratitude and/or offer an invitation for further contact. Your personal contact information should be included in your letterhead, but you may write it here as well.

Example #1

I will miss the great number of personal connections that I have made over that past three years, and it is with a heavy heart that I leave my current position. Please accept my gratitude for helping to make my time at Ridgemount High so rewarding.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me at my personal email address or telephone number.

Yours Sincerely,

___________
Ms. Eleanore French
efrench@email.com
(555) 555-5555

Example #2

Thank you again for the many enjoyable years that we have worked together. I will forever be in your service.

Please stay in touch.

Sincere Regards,

______________
Charles West
History Teacher

Sample 1

The following is a sample of a letter written by a teacher resigning mid-term. Instead of detailing the problems that led to this decision, the author is democratic and concise in their writing, keeping their letter both professional and positive.

 
Ms. Naomi Bates
423 Westminster Place
Princeton, NJ, 56001
(555) 555-5555
naomibee@email.net

Mrs. Carol Windsor
Principal
Montebello High School
233 Senator Avenue
Princeton, NJ, 56023

January 3rd, 2017

Dear Ms. Windsor,

Please accept this letter as my formal notice of resignation from the position teaching Grade 11/12 Physics Teacher. My last day of work will be April 30th, the end date of the spring term.

I assure you that I will be working closely with my replacement during this transitionary period to ensure that the students’ learning is not negatively effected. My lesson plan for the rest of the year is complete, and all the necessary course materials and teaching aids are ready to be implemented. All of my student files have been updated to further prepare the incoming teacher.

Being a teacher at Montebello High School this past year and half has been a great privilege, as well as an invaluable learning experience. I am grateful for the opportunity.

I can be reached at my personal phone number or email address should you have any further questions.

Sincere Regards,

___________
Naomi Bates

Sample 2

In this sample, the teacher is writing their letter of resignation to their superintendent. When addressing your superintendent, they will be less familiar with you than your principal. Therefore, you should keep your letter succinct and to-the-point.

 

Francesca Hill
1514 Medallion Rd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90251
(555) 555-5555

Belinda Thomas
Superintendent
Los Angeles Unified School District
12 Parc St.
Los Angeles, CA 90017

February 11th, 2017

Dear Mrs. Belinda Thomas,

I am writing this letter to officially notify you that I will be resigning from my current position as a Grade 6 Teacher at Westway Elementary School. My last day of work will be June 20th, 2017. I will be taking a different position here, in Beverly Hills.

I have already informed the principal and fellow staff members of my decision. We will be working together to make this transition as smooth as possible.

Teaching at Westway Elementary has been a genuine pleasure and has provided me with many valuable professional relationships.

If you have any questions or require more information, you can reach me by phone, or by email at: franhill@email.com.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

_________
Francesca Hill
Grade 6 Teacher
Westway Elementary School

Sample 3

 
Dear Dr. Nyland,

This letter is to inform you that effective 6/1/2018, I will be resigning from my position as 3rd Grade Teacher at South Shore Elementary School.

My time here has been a wonderful experience and the students at South Shore Elementary School are second to none. However, after careful thought and consideration my two hour commute time is too cumbersome for me to continue. The school and school district itself is simply too far for me to have a positive work life balance.

Thank you for the positive support you have provided during my 30 year tenure and I wish you along with the rest of the teachers all of the best. Please forward any outstanding Tax and Retirement information to the address above, along with any additional monies due to me as well.

Cordially,

Lindsey Stirling