Whether you’ve been at your teaching job for a decade or just a few months, at some point, you may decide it’s time to go. The idea of leaving might be thrilling, or it may be sad, but either way, it’s vital you leave without burning any bridges. The first step is writing a letter of resignation. Most of us hate the thought. We don’t know what to write or how to write it. But we all know how important it is to leave on a good footing. So, we’ve got you covered with a few great teacher resignation letter examples.
Before writing your official letter of resignation, your first move is to speak with your principal face-to-face.
After that’s done, you’ll draft your letter. Remember, this will be a permanent record documenting when you left the school. Make sure to check your contract to see how much notice you’re required to give and consider giving a date that will help make the transition as easy as possible.
Be sure to state the vital information at the top of the letter. For example, “I’m writing to inform you that I will be leaving my position as a 4th Grade teacher, effective June 28, 2021.”
Include your full legal name. This might seem superfluous. But, just like noting your last day on the job, this document is on your permanent record, and it’s essential to include. You could also include your personal contact information in case school administrators need to reach you during the job transition.
You may consider writing a resignation to parents, especially if you’re leaving mid-school year. But, you should check in with the administration before you do this. Some school principals may ask that a replacement be chosen first before you send that letter out.
You can explain why you’re leaving, but you don’t have to. You can simply say you’re leaving for “personal reasons.” Or you can say nothing about it all. Just don’t go on a tirade about how unhappy you are at the school or begin highlighting how bad the school’s practices are. You can save that for your exit interview.
This is the time to thank administrators for the opportunity to teach. You could include something specific that you enjoyed about being at the school. Or something you learned from the administration. Remember, you may need a reference in the future. Even if you weren’t happy at the job, it’s important to keep the resignation letter upbeat.
Again, you’re not required to disclose why you’re leaving, but if you would like to, getting married sometimes requires a move out of a school district. Here’s a great example of how one teacher handled this situation.
Sometimes you decide to leave a teaching position or teaching altogether when a family member becomes ill. Notifying your administration of this sensitive reason allows for more understanding from your teaching community and staff.
In this case, the school superintendent is less likely to know you, so keep your letter brief and to the point. Be sure to lead with the name of your school, your position, and your last day on the job. You can mention why you’re leaving or not. That’s a personal decision.
Telling the administration you’re leaving for a new job can be tough. But, it softens the blow of losing a good employee when you offer to help in what can be a difficult time for administrators. Your willingness to help train your replacement and continue doing your job up until your last day goes a long way in leaving behind a great impression.
Indeed offers a template for teacher resignation letter examples if you’re still unsure.