Short answer: Lead with qualified teacher status and the subjects and key stages or grades you are licensed for, then experience written as student outcomes, then curriculum, pastoral and extracurricular responsibility. Two pages in the UK, one to two in the US. Name the exam boards and the safeguarding training explicitly.
Writing a CV for teaching applications requires demonstrating two things: that you are credentialed to teach and that your students learn. Principals and hiring committees look for specific certifications first, then evidence of student outcomes.
Teaching remains one of the largest professions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are over 1 million high school teachers in the United States, with projected growth as retirements create openings. STEM teachers are particularly in demand.
This guide breaks down exactly what education hiring committees look for, with a detailed example.
What Principals Look For
Education hiring is credential-driven but outcome-focused. Based on guidance from National Education Association resources and district hiring practices, here is what gets evaluated:
1. Teaching Credentials
Credentials are non-negotiable. Without them, your CV will not be considered:
State teaching license: The specific credential for your state and subject area
Subject endorsements: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, etc.
Supplemental certifications: ESL, Gifted and Talented, Special Education
AP or IB certification: If applicable to the role
A principal needs to know you can legally walk into a classroom tomorrow. Put credentials first.
2. Student Outcomes
This is where most teaching CVs fail. Principals read dozens of CVs from people who "created engaging lesson plans." They want to see what worked:
Test score improvements: AP pass rates, state assessment gains, standardised test results
Student achievement: Competition results, college acceptances, scholarship awards
Measurable growth: Year-over-year improvements in specific metrics
Comparison to benchmarks: School average, district average, state average
"78% AP pass rate (school average 62%, state average 58%)" tells a principal exactly what you can deliver.
3. Classroom Experience
Experience matters, but context matters more:
Grade levels and subjects taught: Be specific
Student population: Demographics, class sizes, special needs
Curriculum alignment: State standards, AP curriculum, IB programme
Credentials come first. Without a valid teaching license, nothing else matters. Put your certifications at the top where principals can immediately verify you are qualified.
Education follows credentials. Your degrees support your credentials. Include relevant coursework, thesis topics, and academic honours.
Experience shows impact. Each teaching role should include student outcomes, not just job duties.
Extracurriculars demonstrate commitment. Coaching, club advising, and volunteer work show you invest in students beyond the classroom.
Skills are organised by function. Teaching skills span curriculum, classroom management, and technology. Group them logically.
Real Example: High School Teacher CV
Let us analyse a high school teacher CV that demonstrates every principle discussed above.
What Makes This CV Work
Teaching CVs need to establish two things: credentials and impact. This one puts the teaching license first because without it, nothing else matters. The Single Subject credential in Biology tells an administrator you can walk into a classroom tomorrow.
The experience section focuses on outcomes, not activities. "78% AP pass rate" and "14% improvement on state standardised tests" are the metrics that matter. Principals read dozens of CVs from people who "created engaging lesson plans." Show them what worked.
The robotics coach role does double duty. It shows STEM depth and demonstrates commitment beyond contract hours. Schools want teachers who build community.
Notice this CV does not oversell. It is honest about being entry-level. The experience is substantial but not padded. An administrator can see exactly what they are getting.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
Teaching Credentials Section
Credentials appear first with full details:
TEACHING CREDENTIALSTexas Standard Teaching Certificate | Texas SBEC | June 2022- Secondary Science (Grades 7-12): Biology and Chemistry endorsementsESL Supplemental Certification | Texas SBEC | August 2023Gifted and Talented Certification | Texas SBEC | January 2024AP Biology Certified | College Board | July 2022
Note the specificity: state, issuing body, date, and exact endorsements. A principal can immediately verify you are qualified for the position.
Education Section
Education supports the credentials:
EDUCATIONMA Education, Science TeachingUniversity of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | 2020-2022- Graduate Teaching Fellowship recipient. GPA: 3.9/4.0.- Thesis: 'Implementing Inquiry-Based Learning in High School Biology: Effects on Student Engagement and Scientific Reasoning Skills' (Distinction).- Relevant coursework: Science Pedagogy, Curriculum Design, Assessment Methods, Educational Psychology, Learning Technologies.BS Biology, Cum LaudeTexas A&M University | College Station, TX | 2016-2020- Minor in Chemistry. GPA: 3.75/4.0. Dean's List 6 semesters.- Undergraduate research assistant in molecular biology lab.- Pre-Med Society, Peer Tutoring Program volunteer.
The education section includes thesis topic (relevant to teaching methodology), relevant coursework, and evidence of academic excellence. For teachers, this level of detail is appropriate.
Experience Section
Each role includes student outcomes:
Biology Teacher | Lake Travis High School | Austin, TX | 2022-Present- Teach AP Biology, Biology, and Environmental Science to 145 students across 5 sections. Design and deliver curriculum aligned with TEKS standards.- AP Biology results: 78% pass rate (school average 62%, state average 58%). 23 students scored 5 in 2024, up from 14 in 2023. Mean score improved from 3.1 to 3.6.- Developed hands-on lab curriculum using local Texas Hill Country ecosystems. Students conduct authentic field research including water quality monitoring and biodiversity surveys.- Achieved 14% improvement on STAAR Biology EOC compared to prior year cohort. Implemented targeted intervention program for struggling students with 85% success rate.
The bullets follow the pattern: Scope + Action + Measurable Outcome
Notice the comparison to benchmarks: "school average 62%, state average 58%." This context shows the achievement is meaningful, not just a number.
Extracurricular Experience
Beyond-classroom commitment is highlighted:
Robotics Coach | Lake Travis High School | Austin, TX | 2023-Present- Lead advisor for 18-member FIRST Robotics Competition team. Regional finalists in 2024 and 2025. Qualified for State Championship in 2025.- Secured $12,500 in grants and corporate sponsorships from Dell, National Instruments, and Austin Energy.- Coordinate with engineering mentors from local tech companies. 4 team alumni now studying engineering at UT Austin, Texas A&M, and Rice.
This shows STEM depth, fundraising ability, and student outcomes beyond the classroom.
How to Put Student Teaching and Placements on a CV
A training placement is real classroom experience, so give it an entry in the experience section. The mistake is labelling it in a way that makes it sound like coursework.
Give it a job-shaped entry. School name, the words "Student Teacher" or "Trainee Teacher", the subject and year group, and the dates. A placement described as "PGCE placement, Autumn term" reads as a module. "Student Teacher, Year 9 and 10 Science, September to December 2025" reads as work.
Say how much of the timetable you held. "Taught a 60% timetable across four Year 9 classes" tells the reader how independent you already were, which is the thing a head is trying to work out.
Carry the outcomes across. Mock results, intervention groups, a scheme of work you wrote, a display or trip you ran. Placement outcomes count.
Name your mentor's role. "Mentored by the Head of Science" is verifiable. "Received excellent feedback" is not.
List every school. Multiple placements show range across settings, which is exactly what a head wants from an early-career teacher.
Keep observations and lesson gradings off the CV. They belong in the application form if the school asks.
Once you have a post, the same entries stay and simply move down the page. A teacher's assistant CV shows how classroom experience is written up when a supporting role is the strongest thing you have.
Common Mistakes in Teaching CVs
1. Credentials Not First
Weak: Starting with education or experience
Strong: Teaching credentials at the top, immediately visible
Without valid credentials, your CV will not be considered. Make them impossible to miss.
2. No Student Outcomes
Weak: "Created engaging lesson plans and differentiated instruction."
Strong: "78% AP pass rate (school average 62%, state average 58%). 14% improvement on state standardised tests."
Every teacher creates lesson plans. What matters is whether students learned.
3. Generic Job Duties
Weak: "Responsible for teaching Biology to high school students."
Strong: "Teach AP Biology, Biology, and Environmental Science to 145 students across 5 sections. Design curriculum aligned with TEKS standards."
Specificity matters. Which courses? How many students? What standards?
4. Ignoring Extracurriculars
Weak: Only listing classroom teaching
Strong: Including coaching, club advising, committee work, and volunteer activities
Schools want teachers who contribute to the community beyond their contracted hours.
5. Missing Certifications
Weak: Not listing ESL, Gifted and Talented, or other supplemental certifications
Strong: All certifications listed with issuing body and date
Supplemental certifications make you more versatile and valuable.
Teaching-Specific Tips
Subject-Specific Considerations
Different subjects have different expectations:
STEM Teachers:
Lab experience and safety training
Technology integration
Competition coaching (Science Olympiad, robotics, math competitions)
Research background
English/Humanities Teachers:
Writing instruction methodology
Debate, journalism, or creative writing advising
AP Literature or Language certification
Published writing (if applicable)
Special Education:
IEP development and implementation
Specific disability expertise
Collaboration with general education teachers
Behaviour management strategies
New Teacher vs. Experienced Teacher
New teachers should emphasise:
Student teaching experience with specific outcomes
Alignment with state standards (TEKS, Common Core, etc.)
Experience with diverse student populations
Understanding of district policies
Private schools:
Certification may not be required but is valued
Subject matter expertise may matter more
Fit with school mission and values
Smaller class sizes and different expectations
Alternative Certification
If you came to teaching through alternative certification:
List your certification programme
Emphasise subject matter expertise from prior career
Include any industry experience relevant to your subject
Show commitment through professional development
How JobSprout Helps You Write a Teaching CV
JobSprout is designed to help you create professional CVs that meet education hiring standards. Here is how our tools can help with your teaching application:
1. Choose a Clean, Professional Template
Browse our template gallery to find templates designed for teaching applications. Every template uses the traditional formatting that principals and hiring committees expect.
2. AI-Powered Outcome Statements
Struggling to articulate your student outcomes? JobSprout's AI Writer helps you:
Transform vague descriptions into outcome-focused statements
Generate bullet points that include metrics and comparisons to benchmarks
Rewrite weak bullets like "created engaging lessons" into strong ones like "achieved 78% AP pass rate, exceeding school and state averages"
3. Highlight Your Credentials
Our templates give teaching credentials appropriate prominence. The AI can help you format certifications correctly with issuing bodies and dates.
4. Generate Tailored Cover Letters
Our AI Cover Letter Writer creates personalised letters for each school. The Deep Research feature pulls real information about the school's programmes and priorities, so your cover letter demonstrates genuine knowledge of their community.
5. ATS-Friendly Formatting
Many school districts use applicant tracking systems. JobSprout's templates are tested to parse correctly, ensuring your credentials and experience reach human reviewers.
6. Free Export, No Watermarks
Create and download your CV for free. No watermarks, no paywall when you are ready to apply. Export as PDF for consistent formatting.
One to two pages maximum. New teachers should fit on one page. Experienced teachers with extensive professional development and leadership roles may use two pages.
Should I include my GPA?
Include it if it is strong (3.5+ or equivalent) and you graduated within the last 5 years. For teaching, academic performance in your subject area and education courses matters.
Do I need a master's degree to teach?
Not required for initial certification in most states, but increasingly expected for career advancement. Many states require a master's degree within a certain number of years of initial certification.
How do I handle gaps in my teaching career?
Be prepared to explain briefly. If you used the time for professional development, childcare, or other productive activities, mention it. Focus on what you accomplished when you were teaching.
Should I include non-teaching work experience?
Include it if it is relevant to your subject area or demonstrates transferable skills. A former engineer teaching physics should include that background. Unrelated work experience can be brief or omitted.
Ready to Build Your Teaching CV?
You now know what principals look for: valid credentials, quantified student outcomes, and commitment to the school community.
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