Chicago, IL
771-555-0199
denise.richardson@email.com March 29, 2023 Mrs. Melody Martinez
Rosewood Elementary School
4302 West Newton Ave.
Cicero, IL 60804 Dear Mrs. Melody Martinez, I'm writing to express my interest in applying for the Teaching Assistant position you have available for your fourth-grade classroom at Rosewood Elementary School. As someone who enjoys inspiring students and learning new things, I believe I would be an excellent fit for your organization. While I'm certain I could learn a lot from your experienced team of educators, I also hope my ability to create student-centric lesson plans and maintain organized records would benefit your students. In the job description, I found for the Teaching Assistant position on Rosewood Elementary School's website, you stated that you're looking for a candidate who has experience monitoring large class sizes, grading homework assignments and participating in extracurricular activities. Throughout my academic and professional career, I've exemplified my skills in each of these areas by:
- Monitoring both the fifth and sixth-grade classrooms at Mount Vernon Middle School, which consisted of more than 82 students each year
- Assisting the fifth and sixth-grade teachers by grading homework assignments for their math, social studies and science courses at Mount Vernon Middle School
- Coaching the middle school cheerleading team and participating as a judge during the annual science fair each year
What to include in a teaching assistant cover letter
While every teaching assistant's cover letter looks different based on their work experience, skill set, academic background and credentials, there are some important details hiring managers often look for when reviewing candidates. Understanding what these details are can help you make sure you include them. Here are a few key pieces of information to share in your cover letter:- Primary contact information
- Your desired teaching assistant job title
- Reasons for applying for the teaching assistant position
- Skills and qualifications
- Certifications and licenses
- Relevant work experience and accomplishments
How to write a teaching assistant cover letter
Here are some guidelines to help you craft a professional teaching assistant cover letter that helps you stand out from the crowd:1. Provide your professional contact information
Include your professional contact information at the top of your cover letter by creating a header. List your full name, phone number and primary email address. Make sure to select an email address that you check frequently to ensure you respond to any inquiries you receive in a timely manner. It's also a good idea to listen to your voicemail recording to ensure it's appropriate and includes your name. This can help you make a positive first impression if a hiring manager attempts to call you when you're unable to answer the phone. On a separate line underneath your contact information, include the date. Then provide the recipient's name and contact information to ensure the correct person receives your cover letter. Finally, align this information to the left of the page as you would with a standard business letter. Related: How To Format a Cover Letter (With an Outline and Examples)2. Greet the hiring manager
Begin your cover letter with a respectful greeting. If you know the name of the hiring manager, include it to personalize your message. This can show you've researched the school you're applying for a teaching assistant position at and help you make a positive first impression. If you're unable to identify who the recipient of your cover letter is, address them as Dear hiring manager instead. Read more: How To Choose Letter Salutations and Greetings (With Tips and Examples)3. State your desired teaching assistant position
In the first sentence of your cover letter, clearly state the teaching assistant position you desire. Schools often hire for multiple faculty positions at the same time, so clarifying what grade you want to work with and including the exact title of the role as it's listed in the job description ensures the hiring manager knows what position you're contacting them about. You can also share how you learned about the open teaching assistant position and why you're interested in applying for the role. Consider sharing why you're passionate about working with children or what inspired you to become a teaching assistant. You can also elaborate on your career goals or discuss how your personal values align with the school's mission.4. Highlight your teaching skills, certifications and qualifications
In the following sentences, explain why you're an excellent choice for the teaching assistant role. Highlight your most impressive skills, certifications and qualifications to show the hiring manager you would be a great person to hire. You can review your resume to identify important areas you want to expand on by providing more details. Consider reading through the job description again as well to identify what qualifications and abilities the hiring manager is looking for when reviewing cover letters and applications. Then try to include a few of them in this section. Some skills hiring managers often look for when reviewing candidates for teaching assistant positions include:- Multitasking
- Lesson planning
- Presenting
- Teamwork
- Patience
- Written and verbal communication
- Interpersonal skills
- Empathy
- Organization
- Time management
- Technical skills
5. Thank the hiring manager for their consideration
In your final paragraph, reiterate a few of your strongest skills to make sure they're memorable. Then, thank the hiring manager for taking the time to review your application materials and consider you for the teaching assistant position. Then state your desire to learn more about the role and let the hiring manager know you look forward to hearing from them soon. This can show the hiring manager you're confident in your abilities and help you end your cover letter on a positive note. Read more: How To End a Cover Letter (With Examples)6. End with a professional closing statement
Finally, close your cover letter with a professional farewell statement. Then, sign your full name at the bottom of the document. A few polite closing statements you can choose from include:- Best
- Regards
- Thank you for your time
- Sincerely
- Thank you for your consideration
- Respectfully
- Thank you