Substitute teachers come from many different backgrounds and have huge variances in their level of experience. Because of this, a strong substitute teacher cover letter is absolutely essential. If you have little experience in the field, a good cover letter will help convey your strengths and mask your weaknesses. If you have a lot of education and experience, a strong cover letter will separate you from less qualified individuals and make it clear that you are a desirable candidate.

A substitute teacher can have any level of education beginning from a high school diploma and going all the way to a master’s degree. In general, the candidates who are likely to get the best class offerings and the highest pay have a bachelor’s degree in either education or a field relevant to the classes they will be teaching, such as English, science, or mathematics. You may also want to consider pursuing a teaching certificate, which will make you a highly qualified candidate who has better pay options in most areas.

The sample substitute teacher cover letter presented below comes from an individual who is looking for a long-term substitute position within a school district. Often, a similar cover letter might be used simply to introduce yourself to the district’s administration. In such a case, you should focus more on your strengths as a teacher and less on a single job opening, since short-term positions tend to come and go on a daily basis.

Leon Smith
22 Wyman Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74101

June 30, 2014

George Brooks
Office Administrator
Tulsa Central School District
26 Wright Avenue

Tulsa, OK 74101

Dear Mr. Brooks,

Please consider me as a candidate to fill the open long-term substitute teacher position available at Tulsa Central School District. I am a highly qualified and very experienced teaching candidate who has a great deal of knowledge and experience in a variety of academic subjects. Having had previous experience teaching alongside members of the school district, I believe that this is a perfect fit for somebody with my skills and professional experience.

I received my bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Texas at Austin. Following my graduation, I served as a substitute teacher in the Austin School District before leaving Texas and becoming a paraeducator at the private Applegate Elementary Institute. My hope is now to rejoin the world of public education as a substitute teacher who can help deliver a sense of continuity that will help students handle changes in staff or unexpected absences without any sort of loss in educational quality.

My resume is enclosed. Upon request, I can also provide letters of reference or professional contacts as desired. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone at (918) 554-6621 or via email at [email] Thank you very much for this opportunity, and I hope to discuss the matter more with you in an interview soon.

Sincerely,

Leon Smith

Enclosed: Resume