English Teacher Resume Example & Writing Guide
Let me guess—you’ve been staring at your screen for an hour, trying to write your English teacher resume, and all you’ve managed to type is your name. Maybe.
Sound familiar?
First off: you’re not alone. I’ve worked with hundreds of teachers (new grads, mid-career changers, even veteran educators), and they all say the same thing:
“I can teach Shakespeare and sentence structure, but writing about myself? That’s a tragedy.”
Been there. Got the coffee stains on my lesson plans to prove it.
So if your brain feels like a cluttered desk piled with draft essays and half-marked quizzes—take a breath. You don’t need a perfectly worded resume in the next five minutes. You just need a little help, a warm nudge, and a layout that doesn’t make you want to scream into the void.
This post? Think of it like having coffee with your career coach BFF—who just happens to know exactly what principals, recruiters, and school admins want in an English teacher resume.
Whether you’re crafting a high school English teacher resume, tweaking your English language arts resume, or starting fresh with no experience—I’ve got you.
English Teacher Resume Example: A Step-by-Step Writing Guide
Let’s start from the top. Literally.
What should be on an English teacher resume? Include a clear summary, English teaching experience, subject specialties (like literature or grammar), measurable outcomes, certifications, and relevant skills such as curriculum development, literary analysis, and student engagement strategies.
Now let’s dive in.
How to Format a Resume for an English Teaching Job
You’re a language pro, but your resume? That’s a different genre.
Use a reverse-chronological format that puts your most recent role up top. It’s clean, familiar to hiring teams, and ATS-approved.
Here’s a simple format to follow:
- Contact Info
- Summary or Objective
- Teaching Experience
- Education & Certifications
- Key Skills
- Projects, Awards, or Publications (optional)
Stick to classic fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Georgia. Save it as a PDF unless told otherwise. And please—ditch the headshot.
What to Include in an English Teacher Resume
You know how students ramble to hit the word count? Don’t do that here. Focus on:
- Professional Summary or Objective
- English Teaching Experience with outcomes
- Education & Certifications
- Key Skills (we’ll list them below)
- Special Projects or Clubs (debate team, yearbook, tutoring)
Resume Summary for an English Teacher (Examples + Tips)
Think of this as your “hook”—the thesis of your resume. It should answer: Why you?
Example 1 (Experienced Teacher): “Certified high school English teacher with 8+ years of experience developing Common Core-aligned curriculum, leading AP Literature courses, and boosting reading comprehension scores by 30% through differentiated instruction and close reading strategies.”
Example 2 (New Grad): “Passionate English language arts teacher with student teaching experience in grades 6–8. Skilled in building engaging lessons around diverse literature and creating inclusive, discussion-based classrooms.”
Key Skills for an English Teacher Resume
Here’s your skill stack—no fluff, just what actually matters:
- Curriculum development
- Literary analysis
- Grammar and syntax instruction
- Differentiated instruction
- Student engagement through literature
- Reading comprehension techniques
- Essay writing and editing support
- Classroom management strategies
- ELA test prep (SAT, ACT, state exams)
- Technology integration (Google Classroom, Grammarly, Turnitin)
Describing English Teaching Experience with Measurable Results
Don’t just say “Taught English.” Anyone can say that.
Say this: “Implemented thematic literature units that improved student critical thinking and raised standardized reading scores by 22% over two semesters.”
Or this: “Facilitated weekly writing workshops that increased student essay scores by 18% using rubric-based peer review and scaffolded instruction.”
Use numbers + strategies. Show how you taught, not just what.
English Teacher Resume Samples by Grade Level and Focus Area
High School English Teacher Resume Example
- Taught British and American Literature to grades 9–12
- Created cross-curricular units with history faculty
- Coached AP Lit students, increasing pass rate from 72% to 93%
(If you’re also teaching AP subjects, you might find our guide to AP English Teacher Resumes helpful—it shares more on AP formatting and impact metrics.)
Middle School English Language Arts Resume
- Delivered ELA instruction for grades 6–8
- Designed vocabulary games and reading challenges
- Led creative writing club with 25+ participants
Check out our Middle School Teacher Resume if you’re targeting that level and want more examples of age-specific language.
ESL/ELL English Teacher Resume Sample
- Taught English grammar and vocabulary to non-native speakers
- Aligned instruction with WIDA and TESOL standards
- Used leveled texts and speaking prompts to improve fluency
You may also want to see the Online Tutor Resume Guide for virtual-friendly resume samples and tools.
AP Literature or Composition Teacher Resume Example
- Designed rigorous AP Lit syllabus approved by College Board
- Emphasized textual analysis, timed writing, and literary devices
- 91% of students scored 4 or higher on AP exam
Online English Tutor Resume Sample
- Provided 1:1 virtual tutoring for students in grades 6–12
- Focused on essay writing, grammar, and reading comprehension
- Used tools like Zoom, Padlet, and Google Docs for engagement
Resume for English Grammar Instructor
- Taught foundational grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure
- Developed diagnostic tools to assess syntax mastery
- Created grammar modules for school-wide use
Also see the Montessori Teacher Resume for ideas on creative grammar instruction using alternative pedagogy.
How to Write an Objective for a New English Teacher Resume
If you’re entry-level or switching careers, use an objective to share your goals.
Career Changer Resume Objective for English Educators
“Former journalist transitioning into secondary ELA education. Passionate about teaching writing craft, media literacy, and helping students find their voice.”
First-Time Teacher Objective Examples
“Recent English Education graduate with classroom practicum experience in 10th-grade literature. Skilled in lesson planning, group discussion facilitation, and differentiated instruction.”
Top Action Verbs for an English Teacher Resume
- Facilitated
- Developed
- Mentored
- Designed
- Instructed
- Evaluated
- Engaged
- Adapted
- Integrated
- Led
Certifications and Degrees to Include on Your Resume
State Teaching Licensure Requirements
- Secondary English Certification (State-specific)
- Elementary ELA Endorsement (if applicable)
TESOL, TEFL, and Other English Certifications
- TESOL or TEFL (for ESL jobs)
- CELTA (for international teaching)
- AP Course Authorization (for AP Lit or Lang)
How to Make Your English Teacher Resume Stand Out
Using Student Success Metrics and Feedback Quotes
“Raised reading scores by 28% in one year using scaffolded instruction.” “Received consistent student feedback like: ‘Best teacher I’ve had—made writing make sense.'”
Highlighting Literature-Based Projects and Activities
- Organized school-wide poetry slam
- Developed thematic unit around social justice literature
- Led banned book discussion series
We also talk about this kind of differentiation and engagement in the Special Education Teacher Resume Guide, especially helpful if you work with diverse learners.
Mentioning Technology Use in ELA Classrooms
- Integrated Grammarly for grammar support
- Used Google Slides for collaborative storytelling
- Designed lessons with digital escape rooms
Resume Tips for Entry-Level English Teachers
Using Student Teaching and Volunteer Work
“Taught Romeo & Juliet to 9th graders during student teaching; used roleplay and film clips to boost engagement.”
Showcasing Writing or Editorial Background
“Served as editor-in-chief for university literary journal. Led peer review sessions and edited over 60 student submissions.”
ATS-Friendly English Teacher Resume Template and Layout Tips
Want a shortcut? Grab our free ATS-friendly English teacher resume template.
- ✅ Clean, reverse-chronological format
- ✅ Includes all key sections
- ✅ Editable in Google Docs or Word
Writing a Strong Cover Letter to Pair With Your English Teacher Resume
Use your cover letter to tell a story. Maybe the first time a student said your class changed how they read. Or how you use diverse literature to spark critical thinking.
Keep it real. Keep it short. Keep it specific to that school.
Need help crafting one? The Music Teacher Resume and Physical Education Teacher Resume guides also offer examples of storytelling that works in cover letters.
English Teacher Resume FAQs
Q1: What should I include in an English teacher resume?
Include a professional summary, detailed English teaching experience, subject focus (such as literature, grammar, and writing), certifications, lesson planning skills, and measurable student outcomes that demonstrate your impact in the classroom.
Q2: How do I write a resume for an English teacher with no experience?
Focus on student teaching, tutoring, writing or editorial roles, volunteer work, and English-related coursework. Use a strong objective statement and highlight transferable skills like communication, creativity, and classroom management potential.
Q3: What are the best skills to list on an English teacher resume?
Top skills include:
- Lesson planning
- Literary analysis
- Classroom management
- Creative writing instruction
- Grammar and syntax expertise
- Assessment and feedback strategies
- Student engagement techniques
Q4: How do I describe my English teaching experience on a resume?
Use results-driven language and action verbs. For example:
“Improved reading comprehension scores by 30% through differentiated instruction and guided reading sessions.”
Focus on how you taught, the strategies used, and the outcomes.
Q5: Should I use an objective or summary on an English teacher resume?
- Use a professional summary if you have relevant teaching experience—it emphasizes your achievements and qualifications.
- Use a career objective if you’re entry-level or switching careers—it shares your goals and passion for teaching.
Q6: What certifications should be listed for English teachers?
- State teaching certification (specific to your state or country)
- TESOL or TEFL (for ESL/ELL positions)
- CELTA (for international English teaching)
- Subject endorsements in English Language Arts or Secondary English
- AP Course Authorization (for AP Lit or Lang instructors)
Q7: What resume format works best for English teachers?
A reverse-chronological format is best. It highlights your most recent and relevant roles first, is easy to read, and is ATS-friendly. Stick to clean design, consistent fonts, and save your resume as a PDF unless otherwise specified.
Final Thoughts: You’ve Got the Words—Let’s Show Them Off
Listen, if you’ve made it this far, you’re already serious about landing the right teaching role. And honestly? That says a lot about you.
Your resume isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being real. Showing schools the same thoughtful, adaptable, creative brain that shows up for your students every day.
You’ve already got the skills. Let’s get them on paper.
Want a head start? Download our free English teacher resume template. It’s clean, proven, and way less stressful than starting from scratch.
