One resume challenge you might face as a middle school teacher is effectively showcasing your diverse skill set in classroom management, curriculum development, and student engagement. Our guide can provide you with tailored strategies to highlight these competencies and help you create a standout resume that captures the breadth of your teaching experience.
- Middle school teacher resumes that are tailored to the role are more likely to catch recruiters' attention.
- Most sought-out middle school teacher skills that should make your resume.
- Styling the layout of your professional resume: take a page from middle school teacher resume examples.
How to write about your middle school teacher achievements in various resume sections (e.g. summary, experience, and education).
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How to style your middle school teacher resume: layout and format
When creating your middle school teacher resume, have you ever wondered how long it should be? Experts point out that it should be between one and two pages. Choose the longer format, if you happen to have over a decade of relevant experience. What is more, resume formats play a crucial role in presenting your experience. Use the:- Reverse-chronological resume format to highlight your experience;
- Functional skill-based resume format if you have less experience and want to focus on skills;
- Hybrid resume format to guide recruiters through both your experience and skills.
- Make sure your headline is simple and includes the job you're applying for or your current role, an abbreviation of a certificate you have, or even your professional area of interest;
- Always tailor your middle school teacher resume to the role you're applying for by matching job requirements to your experience via different resume sections;
- Once you've created your resume, download it in PDF (unless otherwise specified). This is to ensure readability and that the layout remains fixed.
Each market has its own resume standards – a Canadian resume layout may differ, for example.
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PRO TIP
Showcase any ongoing or recent educational efforts to stay updated in your field.
The five (plus) definite sections your resume for a middle school teacher job should include are:
- Header with your headline, contact details, and/or a preview of your work
- Summary (or objective) to pinpoint how your success aligns with the role
- Experience with bullets of your most relevant achievements in the field
- Skills to integrate vital job requirements (both technical and personal)
- Your further dedication to the field, showcased via relevant higher education and/or certifications
What recruiters want to see on your resume:
- Demonstrated ability to design and implement age-appropriate curriculum and activities
- Experience with classroom management and student engagement strategies tailored to middle school students
- A record of fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment suited to the developmental needs of young adolescents
- Strong communication skills with an emphasis on effectively interacting with students, parents, and colleagues
- Ability to integrate technology and innovative teaching methods in the classroom to enhance student learning
Essential tips for crafting your middle school teacher resume experience section
The experience section is indeed the core of your middle school teacher resume. It's where you present your past and current job roles. But how should you approach this crucial part?
A common error is treating the experience section as merely a list of job duties. Many candidates fall into the trap of detailing what they did without illustrating the impact of their actions.
To effectively write your middle school teacher resume experience section, consider these guidelines:
- Emphasize your achievements, supported by concrete metrics such as percentages, revenue increases, or customer satisfaction rates;
- Avoid using generic buzzwords like communication, hard work, or leadership. Instead, demonstrate how these skills added value in your previous roles;
- Begin each bullet point with a strong action verb, followed by a skill, and then the result of your actions;
- Tailor your resume for each job application by selecting the most relevant experiences, responsibilities, and successes.
We have an array of resume examples that illustrate how to optimally curate your middle school teacher resume experience section.
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive curriculum for 7th-grade Science that aligns with state standards, leading to an average increase of 20% in student test scores.
- Integrated technology into the classroom through the use of interactive whiteboards and digital assessments, enhancing student engagement and understanding of complex concepts.
- Mentored four new teachers by providing resources and strategies for effective classroom management, yielding a more cohesive educational team environment.
- Spearheaded an initiative to incorporate project-based learning in 8th-grade Mathematics, which increased student collaboration and problem-solving skills.
- Conducted ongoing assessments to evaluate student progress and adapted instructional strategies to cater to diverse learning needs, ensuring no student fell behind.
- Collaborated with colleagues to plan and execute an annual STEM fair, attracting over 300 attendees and strengthening community relationships.
- Facilitated a Language Arts enrichment program that catered to 150+ students, with a focus on improving literacy through creative writing and critical reading exercises.
- Successfully obtained a $10,000 grant to boost the school's technology resources for the English department, significantly improving the student learning experience.
- Organized a school-wide spelling bee competition annually, which encouraged participation from over 60% of students and fostered a culture of academic excellence.
- Launched an after-school coding club for middle school students, introducing basic programming skills to over 100 students within the first year.
- Pioneered the use of educational apps and software to supplement traditional teaching methods in Social Studies, resulting in a more dynamic learning environment.
- Actively involved in the school’s Green Committee, leading several initiatives to reduce waste and promote recycling within the school community.
- Revolutionized the school's approach to health education by integrating nutrition workshops into the curriculum, equipping students with lifelong healthy living skills.
- Fostered a positive and inclusive classroom environment, significantly decreasing behavioral incidents by 40% over the course of the school year.
- Piloted a peer tutoring program that improved student academic support structures, leading to a 15% increase in overall grade averages.
- Coordinated and led professional development workshops on effective differentiation strategies, empowering 50+ faculty members to improve student outcomes.
- Initiated an annual cross-curricular project between Language Arts and History departments, culminating in a student-led showcase that became a benchmark for interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Championed the adoption of responsive classroom techniques, which contributed to a 25% improvement in engagement metrics across the school.
- Directed a successful theater arts program which involved over 200 middle school students and offered an annual theater production to the community.
- Instituted a bilingual teaching approach in basic French classes, making foreign language acquisition accessible to a broader range of students.
- Coordinated with the local science museum to organize quarterly field trips, enriching the students' understanding of natural sciences through hands-on experiences.
- Introduced an inquiry-based approach to 6th-grade Earth Sciences, fostering student curiosity and critical thinking, reflected in a 30% uptick in students pursuing advanced science courses.
- Secured a partnership with a local environmental organization to integrate conservation education within the curriculum, enhancing real-world learning opportunities.
- Organized a school garden initiative that served as a living lab for students to apply lessons in ecology and sustainable farming practices.
- Designed and launched a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) program that accelerated student engagement and innovation.
- Leveraged grant funds to build a maker space, which became a hub for student-centered learning and collaboration on interdisciplinary projects.
- Acted as a liaison between the school and local businesses to create internship opportunities for students, providing them with valuable real-world experience.
- Customized and delivered a world cultures curriculum that promoted global awareness and understanding among students, increasing cultural competency school-wide.
- Piloted a digital portfolio system that tracked students’ progress in real-time, offering insights for tailored instruction and more effective parent-teacher conferences.
- Championed diversity by initiating a cultural exchange program with sister schools abroad, enriching the educational experience for over 250 students.
The following content includes information from "O*NET OnLine" by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. The data represents the top responsibilities present on the task lists for middle school teacher professionals.
Top Responsibilities for Middle School Teacher:
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
- Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate these objectives to students.
- Assign lessons and correct homework.
- Assist students who need extra help, such as by tutoring and preparing and implementing remedial programs.
- Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
- Maintain accurate, complete, and correct student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
Quantifying impact on your resume
- Include the percentage of students who improved their grades in your subject during the school year.
- Highlight the number of students you have taught or managed in a classroom setting.
- Document the growth in test scores your students achieved under your instruction.
- State the specific number of educational programs or initiatives you've developed or led.
- Mention the quantity of training workshops you've conducted for your peers or educators.
- Quantify the amount of money you've helped save or fundraise for school projects and resources.
- Point out the reduction in behavioral incidents in your classroom or within the school due to your management strategies.
- List the number of extracurricular activities or clubs you have supervised or coordinated.
Action verbs for your middle school teacher resume
No relevant experience - what to feature instead
Suppose you're new to the job market or considering a switch in industry or niche. In such cases, it's common to have limited standard professional experience. However, this isn't a cause for concern. You can still craft an impressive middle school teacher resume by emphasizing other sections, showing why you're a great fit for the role:
- Emphasize your educational background and extracurricular activities to demonstrate your industry knowledge;
- Replace the typical experience section with internships or temporary jobs where you've gained relevant skills and expertise;
- Highlight your unique skill set, encompassing both technological and personal abilities;
- Showcase transferable skills acquired throughout your life and work experiences so far.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
List all your relevant higher education degrees within your resume in reverse chronological order (starting with the latest). There are cases when your PhD in a particular field could help you stand apart from other candidates.
Balancing hard and soft skills in your middle school teacher resume
Recruiters indeed pay close attention to the specific hard and soft skills candidates possess. Hard skills refer to technical abilities or your proficiency in technologies, while soft skills are the personal attributes and qualities developed over your lifetime.
If you're unsure about effectively quantifying these skills on your resume, follow our step-by-step guide. It's crucial to first understand the key job requirements for the role. Doing so enables you to accurately list your:
- Hard skills in sections like skills, education, and certifications. Your technical expertise is straightforward to quantify. Most organizations find it sufficient to mention the certificates you've earned, along with your proficiency level.
- Soft skills within your experience, achievements, strengths, etc. Defining interpersonal communication traits in your resume can be challenging. Focus on showcasing the accomplishments you've achieved through these skills.
Remember, when tailoring your middle school teacher resume, ensure that the skills you list match exactly with those in the job requirements. For instance, if the job listing specifies "Microsoft Word," include this exact term rather than just "Word" or "MSO."
Top skills for your middle school teacher resume:
Classroom Management Software
Learning Management Systems (LMS)
Interactive Whiteboards
Google Classroom
Microsoft Office Suite
Educational Assessment Tools
Curriculum Development Software
Video Conferencing Tools
Student Information Systems (SIS)
Special Education Resources
Communication
Adaptability
Empathy
Collaboration
Problem-Solving
Time Management
Creativity
Patience
Conflict Resolution
Leadership
Next, you will find information on the top technologies for middle school teacher professonals from "O*NET OnLine" by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Top technologies for Middle School Teacher’s resume:
- Email software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Moodle
- Schoology
- Flipgrid
- Screencastify
PRO TIP
If you happen to have plenty of certificates, select the ones that are most applicable and sought-after across the industry. Organize them by relevance to the role you're applying for.
Showcase academic background with education and certifications' sections
Listing your education and certifications should be a rudimentary part of your resume writing.
Including your relevant academic background - in the form of your higher education degree and niche-specific certificates - will prove knowledge of the industry.
For your education section:
- Start by including your degree, followed by start and graduation dates, as well as the institution;
- You could include relevant coursework, major/minor , or GPA, only if your've just graduated from college or if this information would further support your application;
- If you have an "ongoing" degree, you can still list it in case you think your diploma can impress recruiters or it's required;
Follow a similar logic for your certifications section by listing the institution, alongside dates you've obtained the certificate. For some of the most recent and relevant industry certificates , check out the next part of our guide:
The top 5 certifications for your middle school teacher resume:
- Professional Educator License (PEL) – State Board of Education
- Initial Middle Grades Teaching License (MGTL) – State Teacher Certification Board
- National Board Certification (NBC) – National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
- Graduate Certificate in Middle School Education (GCMSE) – College of Education
- Teaching English as a Second Language Certificate (TESL) – American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
The content below includes information from "O*NET OnLine" by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. The data represents the top associations for middle school teacher professionals.
Top US associations for a Middle School Teacher professional
- ACSD
- American Choral Directors Association
- American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO
- Association for Middle Level Education
- Association of American Educators
PRO TIP
If you're in the process of obtaining your certificate or degree, list the expected date you're supposed to graduate or be certified.
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Which one to use: a resume summary or a resume objective?
The middle school teacher resume summary or objective serves as a good introduction to your experience for recruiters.
Have you ever wondered which one (the summary or objective) will be more appropriate for your middle school teacher resume?
- If you are a less experienced professional, write a resume objective statement. The objective is about three sentences long and provides recruiters with information about your career goals, strengths, and achievements . It should basically denote how you see yourself in this particular role, and what is your relevant experience and/or know-how;
- If you happen to have plenty of relevant experience, select your most impressive achievements for your resume summary. The summary is no longer than five sentences and serves as a storytelling instrument - highlighting your greatest career wins . Don't forget to align your summary with the job requirements to ensure your resume stays relevant to the role.
Read on for more information and examples of resume summaries and objectives from real world professionals.
Resume summaries for a middle school teacher job
- Seasoned middle school educator with over 10 years of experience fostering a collaborative learning environment in urban schools. Specializes in adapting curriculum to cater to diverse learning styles and promoting critical thinking. Proudly led a classroom transformation initiative that resulted in a 20% increase in student engagement.
- Dedicated middle school science teacher with a strong background in developing hands-on biology experiments to stimulate interest in STEM fields. A 15-year veteran who integrates technology for individualized learning, recently awarded Teacher of the Year for implementing a successful flipped classroom model.
- Accomplished software developer with a decade of experience looking to transition to middle school teaching. Adept at coding and computer science, aiming to inspire the next generation of technologists. Spearheaded a coding bootcamp for underserved communities, making tech education accessible to hundreds of children.
- Passionate about literature and a career journalist with 8 years of storytelling excellence, now transitioning to teach English at the middle school level. A master of engaging narratives, eager to enrich students' love for reading and writing. Founding member of a city-wide literacy initiative raising reading proficiency by 25%.
- Aspiring teacher with a strong foundation in adolescent psychology, seeking to apply my understanding of youth development in a middle school teaching role. Eager to develop creative lesson plans that cater to a wide array of learning abilities. Committed to fostering an inclusive classroom culture that nurtures students’ academic growth.
- Recent education graduate with a specialization in middle school mathematics, aiming to bring innovative problem-solving techniques to a dynamic classroom setting. Keen to utilize modern technology to enhance numeracy skills and create an engaging learning experience for students with varied competencies.
Average salary info by state in the US for middle school teacher professionals
Local salary info for Middle School Teacher.” Source: My Next Move, National Center for O*NET Development. Accessed 10/15/2024
| State | Average Salary (in USD) |
|---|---|
| US National Average | $64,290 |
| California (CA) | $99,430 |
| Texas (TX) | $63,270 |
| Florida (FL) | $52,090 |
| New York (NY) | $85,310 |
| Pennsylvania (PA) | $76,710 |
| Illinois (IL) | $66,140 |
| Ohio (OH) | $75,420 |
| Georgia (GA) | $73,210 |
| North Carolina (NC) | $50,820 |
| Michigan (MI) | $62,630 |
Miscellaneous middle school teacher resume sections for a more personalized approach
Your middle school teacher resume can reflect even more upon your personality and best qualities - that is if you decide on including a couple of additional resume sections to support your application.
Some of the best-accepted industry-wide choices include the:
- Resume projects - getting into the outcomes of your most important work, so far;
- Languages on your resume - detailing your proficiency level;
- Special recognitions - dedicated to your most prominent industry awards;
- Hobbies and interests - defining how you spend your free time.
Key takeaways
At the end of our guide, we'd like to remind you to:
- Invest in a simple, modern resume design that is ATS friendly and keeps your experience organized and legible;
- Avoid just listing your responsibilities in your experience section, but rather focus on quantifiable achievements;
- Always select resume sections that are relevant to the role and can answer job requirements. Sometimes your volunteering experience could bring more value than irrelevant work experience;
- Balance your technical background with your personality traits across various sections of your resume to hint at how much time employers would have to invest in training you and if your profile would be a good cultural fit to the organization;
- Include your academic background (in the form of your relevant higher education degrees and certifications) to show recruiters that you have the technical basics of the industry covered.
