Dear Mr. X:

During the student teacher orientation seminar at ---- on 1/18/0-, I heard you speak so favorably about the possibilities for teachers in your district, and when I saw a position for a Communication Arts teacher advertised on the -------- website, I was eager to apply.

When I polled experienced teachers about the best school districts in the area, -------- was inevitably at the top of the list. I want to work for the best, because I believe I will BE one of the best. I am currently finishing up my -------------------------. As you can see on my resume (enclosed), I have multiple degrees in my content area as well.

My pedagogical approach is eclectic; I don’t believe in one developmental theory, but, rather, choose what I see as working from disparate theorems, and apply them to my teaching. I believe that my flexibility is one of my strengths. Having taught college composition classes, I am as able to teach The Odyssey to an AP Senior class (having had 5 years of Latin doesn’t hurt!) as I am able to teach Pigman in Freshman Communication Arts.

I have been told that my rapport with students, and my innovative approach to lesson plans brings a freshness and an immediacy to my classroom; my rapport comes from my genuine liking of students, and my interest in them as people. As far as the innovations in my lesson plans, I keep current on teen culture as well as -----------, and try to use a one-two punch in my teaching style: I lure them in with references that are applicable to their daily lives, then I challenge their higher-level thinking skills with questions that make them draw connections and make analyses between ----------- and their lives.

I’m looking for a school that wants a teacher who will innovate, who knows the content yet will add a knowledge of modern texts to the course, a teacher who can and does use technology in the classroom. I am the organized, energetic, well-educated -------------- teacher who you need for next year.

I would really appreciate the opportunity to learn more about this position, and to elaborate on my qualifications. Can we set up a time to speak in person? Even if this particular position has already been filled, I would like to meet and to learn more about future opportunities. My cell is (---) ---------; please feel free to contact me at your convenience.