Teacher Reference Letter

A teacher reference letter can be helpful in a number of situations. It can be written on behalf of a person who has recently graduated from college with a degree in education and is seeking a job as a teacher or it can be written for a seasoned educator looking to make a change to a different school or another grade. The letter is most impressive if written by a principal, administrator or supervising teacher.

Format and Content:

A teacher reference letter should state the name of the applicant being referred, the name and title of the person writing the letter, and the letter writer’s qualifications and relationship to the applicant. It is important to specify the applicant’s level of education and specific college degree along with any certifications. Listing several examples of ways the applicant has excelled in the classroom and in dealing with students will also help to enhance the letter.

Sample:

This sample teacher reference letter is written for a new teacher who recently graduated from college with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She has passed her board exams and received her state license. The letter is written by an experienced teacher who supervised the applicant in a classroom.

Dear Principal Sharp:

As you know, I teach kindergarten here at ABC Primary School, and have served the children at this school for the last 12 years. During my time here I have had a number of student teachers from various colleges assist me in the classroom. I must say that Ella Snow is by far the most energetic, effective and creative student teacher with whom I have had the pleasure of working in all of my years.

Ella has just graduated from XYZ University with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She has passed her state boards and received her license to teach primary school grades in the state of Kentucky. I want to recommend Ella to fill the vacant position of kindergarten teacher here at ABC Primary School. She has completed the application and background and drug testing required by the county board of education, and she has an interview scheduled with you next week.

While working as my student teacher last year, Ella made a tremendous impact on the children in my class who were struggling with their reading skills. Her energy and creative approach to reading instruction succeeded in engaging and exciting students who previously had shown very little interest in reading. She also worked with individual students who were struggling with math skills and dolce word recognition. Having her work one-on-one with certain students while I instructed the rest of the class provided me with valuable assistance on which I cannot put a price.

It is my pleasure to recommend Ella Snow for the position of kindergarten teacher at ABX Primary School. It is my belief that she is the type of dedicated and innovative teacher who can make a positive difference in the education of the children in our community.

Sincerely,

Jan Brady