Writing a Resignation Letter for a Teacher
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. This also helps ensure your employer can contact you if needed.
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. For example, “Dear Mr. Jones” or “Dear Dr. Brown.”
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. 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.”
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. 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…”
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. 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.”
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. 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]”
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. Consider having someone (who does not work with you) look over the letter to catch anything you might have missed.
Examples of Teacher Resignation Letters
Example letter #1 Dear Principal Green, I am writing to inform you of my resignation as an English teacher at Jefferson High School, effective at the end of the school year. My final day will be May 15th. While I have enjoyed my time here, my family and I will be moving this summer, so I will be unable to continue my position. I have only good things to say about Jefferson High, its students, and its teachers, as I have always been treated with kindness and respect. I wish nothing but the best for the future of the school. I hope this notice is enough time for you to find a replacement, and please know that I will do whatever I can to help make the transition easier. Sincerely, Jessica Barnes
Example letter #2 Dear Mrs. Walters, I am writing to confirm my decision to resign from my teaching position at Lewis Middle School, effective two weeks from the date of this letter. My final day will be December 1st, as I have decided to pursue other career endeavors. Thank you for the opportunity to work here for the past five years. I’ve enjoyed getting to know the students and the staff, and I am excited to take my experiences here with me as I pursue the next step of my career. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to support you during this transition. Thank you, James Harris
Example letter #3 Dear Mr. Smith, I wish to confirm that I am resigning from my position as a 3rd grade teacher at Charleston Elementary. My last day will be June 1st. I would like to thank you and the rest of the staff for the support you have given me over the years. I have enjoyed working here and appreciate all of the opportunities I was given. I assure you that I will remain dedicated to my position for the remainder of my time here. Please reach out if there is any way I can assist you. Best, Sam Pennington
Example letter #4 Dear Principal Woods, Please accept this letter as my formal resignation from my position as a 7th grade science teacher at Westview Middle School. My final date of employment will be December 17th. Teaching the 7th grade has given me the greatest pleasure over the last three years, and I appreciate all the guidance and support I received from colleagues and the school’s administration. I wish you and the school the very best moving forward. If I can be of any assistance to you, kindly let me know. Sincerely, Rosa Lopez
What Not to Include in Your Resignation Letter
Avoid using an unprofessional tone. If you’re resigning due to frustrations at work, it’s understandable that you may be annoyed or angry. However, it’s important to remain professional. Keep your tone as courteous as possible. Avoid cursing, complaining, or ranting about the position, your coworkers, or your situation in general. Keeping things professional will help you if you need letters of recommendation in the future. Similarly, don’t state that you’re resigning due to a conflict or general discontent. This is just a formality—your employer doesn’t need to know all the details. If you’re feeling really frustrated, draft an angry version of your resignation first to get it off your chest. Then, write a more professional version once you’ve calmed down. Just make sure you don’t actually send the angry version! EXPERT TIP Shannon O'Brien, MA, EdM Shannon O'Brien, MA, EdM Life & Career Coach Shannon O'Brien is the Founder and Principal Advisor of Whole U. (a career and life strategy consultancy based in Boston, MA). Through advising, workshops and e-learning Whole U. empowers people to pursue their life's work and live a balanced, purposeful life. Shannon has been ranked as the #1 Career Coach and #1 Life Coach in Boston, MA by Yelp reviewers. She has been featured on Boston.com, Boldfacers, and the UR Business Network. She received a Master's of Technology, Innovation, & Education from Harvard University. Shannon O'Brien, MA, EdM Shannon O'Brien, MA, EdM Life & Career Coach Keep your resignation letter as emotionless and factual as possible. Your resignation letter may or may not be kept in your files, and it's the final impression you leave. Don't burn any bridges and leave on a good note. Keep it positive, and keep it brief.
Don’t over explain your decision to resign. Your employer may want to know why you’re leaving, but in general, it’s best to keep your letter of resignation short and sweet, as it’s a formal document. Don’t dedicate paragraphs to every little detail that led to your choice. If you’d like to discuss your decision in more detail, consider setting up an exit interview with your principal or superintendent.
Don’t provide details about your next job. If you already have another job lined up, it’s okay to briefly state it as your reason for leaving. However, don’t go into detail about your new employer, the hiring process, salary, or benefits. This may come across as bragging and will make the letter seem unprofessional.
When to Write Your Resignation Letter
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. 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.
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. This also gives you an opportunity to professionally discuss any concerns or issues you’re facing.
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.
How to Turn in Your Resignation Letter
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.
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. 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.
Why write a resignation letter?
Resignation letters help you maintain a good relationship with your employer. This is especially helpful if you decide to teach at another school, as it can help you secure future letters of recommendation. Writing a resignation letter shows respect to your employer and helps give them time to find a replacement for your position. Even if you’re frustrated with your current role, writing a professional and courteous resignation letter is usually better than burning your bridges.
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