Trying to write a letter of recommendation for a teacher? Use this teacher recommendation letter template to put your thoughts in order and offer helpful information about the person you’re referring. Tailor this sample to fit your feedback on that specific person.
A blank page can be scary when you have a lot to say – where do you start? What’s the words and tone that will make the best impression? To help you figure this out, we created a short guide on how to write a teacher letter of recommendation along with a template and example you can use to flesh out your own letter.
This guide can be used if you’re writing a letter to recommend a teacher or if you’re a teacher who wants to recommend a student. Our own template focuses on the first case, but you can easily apply the same principles to other recommendation letters.
As a principal your recommendation letter can make all the difference for a teacher seeking a new position. Your insights into their skills character, and performance are invaluable for potential employers. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how you can write the most compelling principal recommendation letter possible.
Why Your Recommendation Matters
A strong endorsement from a principal carries significant influence. As an educational leader who has directly supervised the teacher, your perspective offers a credible, well-informed evaluation of their capabilities. Your letter validates:
- Their instructional expertise in the classroom
- How they collaborate with colleagues and engage with parents
- Their contributions to the school community and culture
- Key achievements and improvements under their initiative
A detailed enthusiastic recommendation from you can convince employers to seriously consider hiring the teacher. It provides reassurance about the teacher’s qualifications and “seal of approval” from school leadership.
Key Elements to Include
To craft an impactful principal recommendation letter be sure to highlight
1. Classroom Management Skills
- Detail their ability to cultivate a structured, orderly and respectful learning environment.
- Mention any classroom management training/certifications they have.
- Provide examples of how their discipline techniques enhance student participation and cooperation.
2. Instructional Expertise
- Describe their mastery of curriculum content and pedagogical skills.
- Discuss their ability to develop creative, engaging lesson plans tailored to diverse learners.
- Share examples of their resourcefulness and instructional techniques.
3. Assessment and Feedback
- Explain their proficiency in gauging student comprehension and tracking progress.
- Discuss their commitment to timely, constructive feedback helping students improve.
- Provide examples of effective assessment methods they implement.
4. Technology Integration
- Mention their ability to incorporate technology into teaching to enhance student engagement.
- Share examples of innovative tech initiatives they have spearheaded.
5. Collegial Collaboration
- Discuss their relationship with fellow staff and willingness to collaborate.
- Provide instances where they modeled professionalism and teamwork.
6. Parental Interaction
- Describe their communication skills and partnership with parents.
- Share examples of how they connect with and inform parents.
7. Student Growth & Development
- Quantify their impact on student success – improved grades, test scores, motivation levels etc.
- Discuss their role in supporting their students’ social-emotional growth.
8. School Contributions
- Detail their participation in school-wide initiatives, professional development, extracurriculars etc.
- Mention any special projects or committees they spearheaded.
Formatting the Letter
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Address the letter to the recruiter/hiring manager. Open with a salutation like “Dear [Name]”.
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In the first paragraph, state your position as principal and your relationship with the teacher. Mention how long you’ve worked together.
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In the body paragraphs, expand on the key elements, providing specific examples of the teacher’s accomplishments and capabilities.
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Close by affirming your wholehearted recommendation of the teacher. Offer your contact details should they need more information.
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End with a complimentary close such as “Sincerely” and sign your name.
Proofreading
Carefully proofread the letter before sending to check for errors. Verify that all information contained is accurate and positive. Having a colleague review can provide a neutral second perspective.
Sample Principal Recommendation Letter
Below is a sample letter incorporating the best practices for a compelling principal recommendation:
Date
Dear [Name],
I am writing this letter to strongly recommend [Teacher’s Name] for the position of [Position] at your school. As the Principal of [School Name] for the past [Number] years, I have had the pleasure of seeing [Teacher’s Name] develop into an exceptionally skilled educator who has made tremendous contributions to our students and greater school community.
In the classroom, [Teacher’s Name] has honed the art of creating engaging lesson plans tailored to reach a diverse range of learners. [He/She] is adept at employing innovative teaching techniques that enhance student participation and comprehension. [Teacher’s Name] also leverages technology in creative ways to boost student engagement, such as through interactive online activities and multimedia presentations.
[Teacher’s Name] forms strong connections with [his/her] students, taking a genuine interest in their lives. [He/She] provides mentorship and guidance to support their social-emotional development. As a result, students confide in [Teacher’s Name] and seek [his/her] counsel when faced with issues.
[He/She] also excels in classroom management and has completed extensive training in discipline techniques that minimize disruptions and foster a respectful, productive learning environment. This encourages students to take ownership of their behavior and academic success. Under [Teacher’s Name]’s leadership, students have thrived – test scores and grades have trended upwards yearly.
Beyond the classroom, [Teacher’s Name] actively contributes to the broader school community. [He/She] leads several extracurricular activities, including coding club and soccer team coach. [Teacher’s Name] also initiated a peer mentoring program pairing struggling students with high-achieving peers for academic guidance and support.
In faculty meetings and training sessions, [Teacher’s Name] models exceptional teamwork and professionalism. [He/She] collaborates seamlessly with colleagues to enhance cross-curricular learning. [Teacher’s Name] also redesigned the school’s STEM fair, which resulted in record student participation and community engagement.
In closing, [Teacher’s Name] will undoubtedly be an invaluable asset to your school. [He/She] not only possesses outstanding instructional and leadership skills, but also a genuine passion for nurturing our youth. I offer my strongest recommendation without reservation. Please contact me should you need any further information.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Position]
[Contact Information]
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
When composing your principal recommendation letter, be vigilant against:
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Making unsupported, generic praise without evidence. Back up claims with real examples.
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Focusing exclusively on past achievements. Also highlight the teacher’s potential for future growth.
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Writing a perfunctory letter with blocks of dense text. Use paragraph breaks, bullets, and white space.
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Letting letter drag on too long. Succinctly emphasize the teacher’s most stellar qualities and accomplishments.
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Forgetting to proofread. Double-check for typos, grammar issues and inaccuracies.
Ready to Write?
By leveraging the strategies in this guide, you can produce an outstanding letter that will make a powerful case for hiring the teacher. Be thorough in including all relevant aspects of their background, while also being concise.
Most importantly, convey genuine enthusiasm and confidence in the teacher’s capabilities, supported by ample evidence. Your endorsement as principal carries immense weight – draft a letter that does justice to the teacher’s qualifications and enhances their candidacy!
Consider the purpose
Before you start thinking about what you should write in your reference letter for a teacher, spend some time on the why; this will determine the approach you need to take. Is the teacher asking for recommendation applying for a new job at a school? Perhaps, a university? Or do they want to enter a graduate program or a voluntary teaching assignment at some other country?
The answers to these questions will help you include the right information. For example, if this teacher has applied for a Master’s program in special education, it’d be helpful to mention their work with children with special needs (if applicable). If they hope to go to another country to teach young adults, you could mention their language skills, work with immigrant children and inclusive behavior in the classroom.
If you don’t have this information, consider asking this teacher for more details. If they could provide you with the job description for the job they’re applying for, even better. Otherwise, choose more generic examples that speak to their professional skills and personal qualities and talents.
How to write a letter of recommendation for a teacher
The process is straightforward:
- Ask about the purpose of this letter.
- Recall your experiences and opinions on the person asking the recommendation.
- Modify our template to fit your own story.
How to Get Teachers to Write The BEST Recommendation Letters (according to UPenn Admissions!!!)
What is a principal recommendation letter for a teacher?
A teacher recommendation letter is a document written by a principal that highlights a teacher’s characteristics, teaching ability and qualifications. Letters focus on the strengths of the teacher and can help them achieve a specific career goal.
What is a letter of recommendation for teacher?
A Letter of Recommendation for Teacher is a vital document that showcases a teacher’s professional abilities and personal qualities. It helps decision-makers in educational institutions understand why a candidate is the perfect fit for a specific teaching position.
What is a recommendation letter?
A recommendation letter, also known as a reference letter, is a document that provides insight into the professional and personal qualities of a teacher. It is typically written by a colleague, supervisor, or principal who has worked closely with the teacher and can vouch for their skills, experience, and character.
Who should ask for a recommendation letter?
Recommendation letters are an important part of the teacher’s professional portfolio and can provide valuable insight into the teacher’s character, skills, and experience. Students, therefore, should carefully consider who to ask for a recommendation and how to ask them in a professional and respectful manner.
