Elementary Teacher Resume Examples & Templates for 2025

The difference between a good and a bad teaching job is stark. One comes with a comfortable environment, supportive colleagues, and a good salary—the other can be a nightmare. 

To land a good teaching position, you must learn the ABCs of resume writing. In this article, I’ll show you expert tips on writing an elementary teacher resume, plus primary teacher resume examples that pass all checks with flying colors.

Elementary Teacher Resume Example

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Elementary Teacher Resume Template to Copy & Paste (Text Version)

Entry-Level Elementary Teacher Resume Example

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Why Does This Sample Stand Out?

Entry-level candidates must convince employers that they’re not green behind the ears. In this sample elementary teacher resume, the candidate proves their qualifications by showing upfront their teaching credentials. Additionally, a professional achievement appears in the resume objective to prove their value. The selected template is great for an elementary teacher’s resume, as its two-column layout can fit much information on just one page.

💡 If you’re a new teacher, this guide can offer additional helpful tips: New Teacher Resume Example

Experienced Elementary Teacher Resume Example

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Why Does This Sample Stand Out?

Experienced educators must be selective about the information they put in a resume. This elementary teacher resume sample is great for fitting in all the achievements you want to present. I always recommend it for applicants working in classic professions such as teaching, as this resume design is strongly favored by Zety customers: it’s a simple resume template but it is definitely effective.

Special Education Elementary Teacher Resume Example

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Why Does This Sample Stand Out?

It’s easy to guess that a resume for elementary teachers focused on special education must highlight compassion and emotional intelligence. But personal qualities may be enough to get hired, and that’s why this resume sample starts with an attention-grabbing introduction. It lists essential qualities as well as an attractive promise that focuses on students. Plus, all the information on this elementary teacher's resume is neatly organized in well-marked sections.

💡 Learn more: Special Education Teacher Resume Example

Applying to other teaching jobs? Check these guides:

• First-Year Teacher Resume Sample
• English Teacher Resume Sample
• Music Teacher Resume Sample
• Art Teacher Resume Sample
• Math Teacher Resume Sample

Creating a resume with our builder is incredibly simple. Follow our step-by-step guide and use content from Certified Professional Resume Writers to have a resume ready in minutes.

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How to Write an Elementary Teacher Resume?

Using a resume example is not mandatory—you can write your own elementary teacher resume from scratch. I’ll show you expert writing tips, but first, look at the statistics below to see what your competitors do. This info is based on job applications created by users of Zety resume builder:

1. Format Your Elementary Teacher Resume Professionally

You can have the best elementary teacher resume, but if it looks like homework that’s been chewed on, it won’t succeed. A good resume must follow a proper structure, just like your lessons!

📌 This is how you format an elementary teacher resume:

• Format: Use the reverse-chronological resume format to highlight your most recent teaching experience and achievements first.
• Resume Fonts: Stick with professional and easy-to-read fonts like Calibri, Garamond, or Arial.
• Line Spacing: 1 to 1.15 for readability.
• Font Size: 11–12 points for body text.
• Resume Headings: 13–14 points for clear section breaks.
• Resume Margins: 1 inch on all sides.
• File Type:PDF resumes are ideal unless the school requests a Word document.

What’s the right length for a resume? Stick to 1 page, unless you have 10+ years of teaching experience.

📌 Include these resume sections and key information:

• Header: Name and contact information.
• Summary: A brief overview of your qualifications and teaching philosophy.
• Experience: Your best teaching achievements.
• Education: Relevant degrees, coursework, and certifications.
• Skills: Include key teaching competencies requested in the job description.
• Other Sections: Highlight additional certifications, volunteer work, or extracurricular involvement.

💡 If you’re new to teaching or switching careers, you can try other resume formats to highlight your qualifications. Learn more: 3 Most Popular Resume Formats

2. Present Experience in Your Elementary Teacher Resume

A long list of teaching responsibilities won’t get an A+ from hiring managers. Your elementary teacher's resume needs to present accomplishments instead of duties.

📝 How to make effective resume descriptions:

• Start with your most recent teaching job.
• Add the school name and dates of employment.
• List 4–6 bullet points to describe your key achievements.
• Use action words and the Problem-Action-Result formula to show your impact.

💡 Expert Tip: Should you include non-teaching jobs in a resume for an elementary teacher? Only if they can demonstrate relevant experience and skills, such as leadership, organization, time management, patience, etc. Learn more: What Is Irrelevant Experience on a Resume?

3. Make Your Education Section Count

A degree is just the basis of teaching qualifications. Recruiters expect more—they want to see how your education contributes to your teaching ability. Include:

• Degree Earned: e.g., Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
• GPA: If it’s over 3.7
• Relevant Coursework: e.g., Child Development, Educational Psychology
• Certifications: e.g., State Teaching License, CPR Certification
• Honors & Distinctions: optional, but impressive
• Student Organizations: sororities, fraternities, etc.

💡 Low on teaching experience? Add more details about your education. Show student activities that helped you develop skills related to teaching, such as communication and mentoring.

4. Choose Relevant Skills for an Elementary Teacher Resume

The skill section on a resume is like a short advertisement for your key strengths. Analyze the job description to identify the teaching skills that matter the most. Don’t forget about tech skills! Most teaching jobs require MS Excel, Office, and Outlook knowledge.

💡 Expert Tip: Don’t forget to feature teaching skills in other resume sections. When describing relevant experiences, mention the skills demonstrated in specific activities.

5. Pick Additional Sections for Your Elementary Teacher Resume

Enhancing your resume with additional sections can give hiring managers a fuller picture of your qualifications.

📜 Certifications & Licenses

Include any relevant teaching certifications, such as:

• State Teaching License
• ESL Certification
• Special Education Certification
• CPR/First Aid Training

📚 Volunteer Experience

If you’ve volunteered in a classroom, at a community center, or in a tutoring program, include it to demonstrate your dedication to education.

💬 Language Skills

If you’re bilingual, highlight this skill—it’s a valuable asset in diverse schools.

💼 Professional Associations

Membership in education organizations like the National Education Association (NEA) or local teacher networks shows your commitment to professional growth.

💭 Conferences & Workshops

Attending education workshops or training sessions can set you apart. Examples include:

• STEM Education Workshops
• Social-Emotional Learning Conferences
• Literacy Development Seminars

6. Put the Best Bits in Your Resume Profile

Combine the best bits of your elementary teacher resume into a catchy introduction. A resume summary or objective is a quick snapshot of your qualifications. 

Here’s how to craft one:

1. Start with an adjective like dedicated or passionate.
2. State your job title (Elementary Teacher).
3. Mention years of experience (e.g., 5+ years).
4. Highlight your teaching philosophy or major achievement.
5. Keep it concise.

✅ Example Resume Summary:

“Passionate elementary teacher with 5+ years of experience fostering student engagement through differentiated instruction and interactive lesson plans. Proven ability to integrate technology into the classroom and create a positive learning environment. Dedicated to student growth and success through collaborative teaching strategies.”

✅ Example Resume Objective:

"Passionate and dedicated elementary teacher with 5+ years of experience. Seeking employment as an elementary teacher at [Company Name] to apply my expertise in differentiated instruction, interactive lesson planning, and technology integration. Eager to help foster student engagement and create a positive learning environment that supports academic growth and success."

💡 Need more help with that? Check here: How to Write a Resume Introduction

7. Write a Matching Cover Letter

Yes, a cover letter is a must-have—Zety interviewed hiring managers to confirm that. Use your cover letter to show your personality, say how much you want to work for that particular school, and present your dedication to teaching.

Follow these tips to write a cover letter for elementary teachers:

• Personalize it: Address the hiring manager by name (if possible.)
• Hook them: Start with a compelling opening statement about why you love teaching.
• Show your expertise: Highlight key skills and accomplishments.
• Match the job description: Demonstrate how you meet the school’s needs.
• Close with enthusiasm: Express interest in an interview and thank them for their time.

💡Pro Tip: Finish the letter with a postscript to leave a lasting impression. For example, hint at a unique accomplishment that could interest the school, such as: I’d love to tell you about paperless classroom activities that helped reduce paper waste by 73% last year! or: Let’s talk about my unique literacy curriculum that improved students’ grades by 22%!

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Responsibilities for an Elementary Teacher Resume

• Designed and implemented engaging lesson plans that improved student comprehension by 20%.
• Differentiated instruction to meet diverse learning needs in a classroom of 25+ students.
• Integrated technology tools, such as smart boards and educational apps, to enhance student engagement.
• Established a positive classroom environment that promoted social and emotional learning.
• Conducted parent-teacher conferences to discuss student progress and strategies for improvement.
• Led after-school tutoring sessions, boosting student performance in math and reading.
• Developed and executed classroom management strategies to foster a structured and supportive learning environment.
• Collaborated with colleagues to align lesson plans with state standards.

Elementary Teacher Resume Action Verbs

• Designed
• Implemented
• Facilitated
• Differentiated
• Instructed
• Assessed
• Integrated
• Developed
• Created
• Collaborated

Elementary Teacher Resume Hard & Soft Skills 

Hard Skills

(Technical skills and knowledge required for teaching)

• Lesson Planning & Curriculum Development
• Classroom Management
• Differentiated Instruction (adapting teaching methods for diverse learners)
• Educational Technology Integration (Smartboards, Google Classroom, learning apps)
• Assessment & Evaluation (formative and summative assessments, grading)
• Literacy & Numeracy Instruction
• Special Education Strategies (IEPs, 504 Plans, accommodations)
• STEM Education
• Behavioral Intervention Techniques (PBIS, RTI)
• Student Progress Tracking & Reporting
• Parent-Teacher Communication
• Bilingual/ESL Instruction (if applicable)
• State & National Education Standards Knowledge (Common Core, NGSS)
• First Aid & CPR Certification (if required)

Soft Skills

(Interpersonal and character-based skills)

• Patience & Adaptability
• Strong Communication Skills (verbal and written)
• Creativity & Innovation (engaging lesson design, problem-solving)
• Empathy & Emotional Intelligence
• Collaboration & Teamwork (working with teachers, staff, and parents)
• Leadership & Decision-Making
• Conflict Resolution (handling classroom disputes and student behavior)
• Cultural Awareness & Inclusivity
• Time Management & Organization
• Motivational & Encouraging Attitude

Elementary Teacher Resume Certificates

• [State] Teaching Certification – Elementary Education (K-6) (Issued by [State Department of Education])
• National Board Certification – Early and Middle Childhood (NBPTS, [Year Earned]) (if applicable)
• TESOL/ESL Certification ([Issuing Organization], [Year Earned]) (if applicable)
• Special Education (K-6) Certification ([Issuing Organization], [Year Earned]) (if applicable)
• Reading Specialist Certification ([Issuing Organization], [Year Earned]) (if applicable)
• CPR & First Aid Certification (American Red Cross/American Heart Association, [Year Earned])

Expert Curated Video Content

If you prefer watching, our Certified Professional Resume Writer, Caio, will explain to you in detail how to write a teacher's resume in 5 minutes!

About Zety’s Editorial Process

This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

Sources

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers
• National Education Association
• O*NET OnLine, Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education