Teacher Retirement Letter

A teacher retirement letter is an official notice that you will be vacating your teaching position. It is usually addressed to the head of the hiring institution. It is wise to make copies of the letter to send to other interested parties, such as the school board and other school officials.

Content and Format:

This letter is likely to end up in an official file. Keep the tone of the letter professional, polite and focused. The teacher retirement letter format begins with a statement to retire followed by the specific retirement date. It should include positive information related to the school or your teaching experience at the school.

Sample:

This teacher retirement letter sample is from an educator who has dedicated an entire career to teaching children. She is firm in her commitment to retire, although she indicates she plans to return as a volunteer at some point in the future. The teacher has something positive to say about her boss, her coworkers and her students. She includes personal accomplishments in the letter and shares the credit for these accomplishments with her boss and her students.

Dear Mr. Hudson,

Please accept this letter as notification of my resignation with the school district, and in particular, Hillsville Elementary. I will retire at the end of this school year. My last day of employment is June 5, 2013. I have genuinely enjoyed the time I have spent at this school. I am very happy that I spent the last 10 years of my 45-year career at Hillsville.

As you know, I planned to retire last year, but in the end, I just did not want to leave. This year however, I realize that it is time to go. I have always given my best to my students. In return, they gave their best to me. My fourth grade class this year was especially inspirational. I am so proud of their test scores and of their eagerness to learn new things.

During my years of service at Hillsville Elementary, I have grown and flourished. I have learned much from the other teachers and from you. I sincerely appreciate your willingness to allow me to incorporate hands-on-learning techniques in my classroom. I truly believe this teaching approach contributed to our first place showing at the district science fair for group project and David Swanson’s first place win for individual project.

I wish you and the students at Hillsville Elementary all the best in the years to come. I know you will hire a new teacher who has a true heart for children, and one who will be an inspirational role model. Feel free to call me following my last day if needed. I plan to stay in Davenport, and hopefully, become a volunteer at the school after taking a year or so off to pursue personal dreams.

Sincerely,

Jolynn Barnes

Ms. Jolynn Barnes

Science Teacher

Hillsville Elementary