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Learn how to resign from your teaching position in a professional way
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A resignation letter is a written notification given to your employer informing them you will no longer be continuing your current position. Writing a resignation letter can feel daunting, especially if you’re a teacher, but it’s actually pretty straightforward. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know to write a resignation letter for a teacher, plus give you resignation letter templates you can use. You'll also learn when and how to turn your resignation in, and why writing a resignation letter is important.
What to Include in a Teacher Resignation Letter
- Inform the recipient of your resignation in the first line of your letter.
- Include when your last day will be and give a brief explanation as to why you’re resigning.
- Thank the school for the opportunities you received. Avoid including anything negative.
Steps
Section 1 of 7:
Writing a Resignation Letter for a Teacher
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Fill out the required heading information. A resignation letter is a formal written notification of your decision to leave your position, so it must be formatted as a traditional letter. When creating the heading, include your full name, job title, phone number, and email address, as well as the date. [1] X Research source
- This also helps ensure your employer can contact you if needed.
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Address your letter to the appropriate person. This will usually be the principal of your school, though you may also be instructed to address it to your superintendent or the school board. Check with your principal to find out for certain. Then, address the person(s) with their title (Mr., Ms., Dr., etc) and their last name. [2] X Research source
- For example, “Dear Mr. Jones” or “Dear Dr. Brown.”
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State that you are resigning and when. It’s important to keep your letter brief, so get right to the point. In the first line of your letter, state that you are resigning. If you already know when your last day will be, include it as well. [3] X Research source
- For example, “I am writing to inform you that I am resigning from my position at [school]. My final working day will be May 7.”
- Or, “It is with a heavy heart that I’m writing to formally resign from my position as a math teacher at [school], effective March 3.”
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Explain why you are leaving (optional). Your employer doesn’t need to know all the details about why you’re resigning, but it can be helpful to give a brief explanation, especially if you’re leaving on good terms. If you’re leaving because of negative experiences, avoid speaking poorly about the school or your coworkers, as this will make the letter seem unprofessional. [4] X Research source
- For example, “While I have enjoyed my time here at [school], my family and I are moving out of state, so it will be impossible for me to continue my position.”
- Or, “I will be ending my position here to explore other career paths and opportunities.”
- If you really want to express specific concerns or frustrations, remember to keep your tone as courteous as possible. For example, say something like “One of my greatest concerns has been…” or “Recent policies such as [x] have left me deeply worried…”
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Express gratitude for the opportunities you were given. Think about your positive experiences at the school and briefly mention what you liked best or what the job taught you. Thank your employer for the opportunities, as this can help you maintain a positive, professional relationship even after you leave the position. [5] X Research source
- For example, “I have nothing but good things to say about my time here. Both the teachers and the students have always treated me with the greatest respect and professionalism.”
- Or, “I’ve learned so much during my time here, from both the students and the other teachers. I will carry this knowledge with me throughout my professional career.”
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Wish the school well and conclude your letter. When concluding your letter, continue to show professionalism by wishing the school well. Assure them you will finish your duties and are willing to help however you can to support the transition to a new teacher. Include a formal sign-off and sign and print your full name. [6] X Research source
- For example, “I’ll do everything I can to wrap up my duties in the coming weeks and help any team members who will be taking over for me. Sincerely, [your name]”
- Or, “I wish the school and the team nothing but the best. Please let me know if I can be of assistance during this transition. Sincerely, [your name]”
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Reread and edit your letter. Because this is a formal letter, it’s important that the tone is professional and to the point. Read back over your letter and look for any instances that may sound harsh or provide too many details. Check for typos and grammatical errors while you’re at it. [7] X Research source Consider having someone (who does not work with you) look over the letter to catch anything you might have missed.
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Section 5 of 7:
When to Write Your Resignation Letter
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Make sure you’re not breaking any clauses in your contract. Before turning in your resignation, take another look at your contract. Sometimes, teacher contracts may state a specific timeframe in which you should announce your resignation. Turning in your resignation within the required timeframe can help make sure you finish your job as smoothly as possible. [11] X Research source
- If it isn’t possible for you to turn your notice in within that time frame, try to at least aim for a standard two-week notice.
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Talk to your principal first. Having a face-to-face conversation about your resignation may feel awkward, but it’s usually the best way to go about it. By discussing your resignation with your principal before writing a letter, you’ll avoid having the administration find out about your decision secondhand. This way, the principal can provide more details about your resignation letter, what it should include, and when you should turn it in. [12] X Research source
- This also gives you an opportunity to professionally discuss any concerns or issues you’re facing.
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Turn your resignation letter in as soon as possible. Once you’ve figured out when you should turn your resignation in, try to do it as soon as possible within that time frame. This will help give you and the administration time to finalize details and work together to determine when your last day will be, if necessary.
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Section 6 of 7:
How to Turn in Your Resignation Letter
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Find out if you must turn in a physical copy. In many cases, school districts require teachers to turn in a hard copy of their resignation letter to keep on file. Others may allow you to email your letter of resignation. If this is the case, find out who you should email it to and make sure you have the correct email address. [13] X Research source
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Give your letter to your principal, superintendent, or school board. Usually, you’ll be required to turn your resignation letter in to the principal of your school, but some districts may require you to give a copy to someone else. If you’re not sure, check your employee handbook or ask your principal. [14] X Research source
- Typically, you’ll just hand the letter to the principal directly and they’ll take care of it from there.
- On the chance you need to mail your letter to the school board, make sure you have the right address and consider using certified mail to make sure the document is received.
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Tips
- Remember, you are not required to explain why you’re leaving a position. It’s okay to include this information if you want to share it, but do not feel like you have to, even if your employer asks.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://careers.northeastern.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/Resignation-Letter-Sample.pdf
- ↑ https://manoa.hawaii.edu/careercenter/how-to-write-a-resignation-letter/
- ↑ https://manoa.hawaii.edu/careercenter/how-to-write-a-resignation-letter/
- ↑ https://eng.umd.edu/sites/clark.umd.edu/files/How%20to%20Write%20a%20Resignation%20Letter.pdf
- ↑ https://manoa.hawaii.edu/careercenter/how-to-write-a-resignation-letter/
- ↑ https://manoa.hawaii.edu/careercenter/how-to-write-a-resignation-letter/
- ↑ https://online.usc.edu/news/how-to-write-resignation-letter-tips-quitting-job/
- ↑ https://manoa.hawaii.edu/careercenter/how-to-write-a-resignation-letter/
- ↑ https://www.careers.govt.nz/job-hunting/got-a-job-offer/resignation-letters/
- ↑ https://professionalleadershipinstitute.com/resources/how-to-write-a-resignation-letter/
- ↑ https://eng.umd.edu/sites/clark.umd.edu/files/How%20to%20Write%20a%20Resignation%20Letter.pdf
- ↑ https://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/articles/crafting-a-classy-resignation-letter
- ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/starting-new-job/how-to-hand-in-resignation-letter
- ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/starting-new-job/how-to-hand-in-resignation-letter
- ↑ https://www.phoenix.edu/blog/how-to-write-a-formal-resignation-letter-with-examples.html
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