How to Write a Teacher Resignation Letter (with Examples & Templates)

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This article was co-authored by Shannon O’Brien, MA, EdM, and wikiHow staff writer Raven Minyard, BA. Shannon O’Brien is the founder and principal advisor of Whole U. (a career and life strategy consulting firm based in Boston, MA). Through consulting, workshops and e-learning, Whole U. empowers people to pursue their life’s work and live balanced, purposeful lives. Yelp reviewers ranked Shannon the #1 Career Coach and #1 Life Coach in Boston, MA. She has been featured on Boston.com, Boldfacers and UR Business Network. She holds a master’s degree in technology, innovation and education from Harvard University. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of all facts cited and confirming the authority of its sources.

A resignation letter is a written notice to your employer informing them that you will no longer work in your current position. Writing a resignation letter can seem daunting, especially if you’re a teacher, but it’s actually quite simple. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about how to write a resignation letter for a teacher, plus give you sample resignation letters that you can use. You will also learn when and how to hand in your resignation and why writing a resignation letter is important.

• 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 of why you are quitting.
• Thank the school for the opportunities you have been given. Avoid including anything negative.

1. 

   Fill in the required title information. A resignation letter is a formal written notification of your decision to leave your position, so it must be formatted like a traditional letter. When you create your title, include your full name, job title, phone number, and email address, as well as the date.[1]

   • This also helps ensure that the employer can contact you if necessary.

2. Address your letter to the appropriate person. This will usually be your school principal, although you will also be instructed to contact your superintendent or school board. Check with your principal to find out for sure. Then address the person(s) by their title (Mr., Mrs., Dr., etc.) and their last name.[2]

   • For example, “Dear Mr. Jones” or “Dear Dr. Brown.”

3. State that you are resigning and when. It’s important to keep your letter short, so get straight to the point. In the first line of the letter, state that you are resigning. If you already know when your last day will be, include that as well.[3]

   • For example, “I am writing to inform you that I am resigning from my position at [school]. My last day of work will be May 7.”
   • Or, “It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to officially resign from my position as professor of mathematics at [school]effective March 3.”

4. Explain why you are leaving (optional). Your employer doesn’t need to know all the details of why you’re quitting, but it can help if you give them a brief explanation, especially if you’re leaving on good terms. If you are leaving because of negative experiences, avoid talking bad about the school or your colleagues, as this will make the letter unprofessional.[4]

   • For example, “Although 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 in my position.”
   • Or, “I will be terminating my position here to explore other career paths and opportunities.”
   • If you really want to express certain concerns or frustrations, remember to keep your tone as polite as possible. For example, say something like “One of my biggest concerns was…” or “Recent policies such as [x] they worried me deeply…”

5. Express gratitude for the opportunities you have been given. Think about your positive experiences at school and briefly state what you liked the most 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 workplace.[5]

   • For example, “I have nothing but good things to say about my time here. Both professors and students have always treated me with the utmost respect and professionalism.”
   • Or: “I have learned so much during my time here, both from the students and from other teachers. I will carry this knowledge with me throughout my professional career.”

6. Wish the school well and conclude your letter. When concluding your letter, continue to show professionalism by wishing the school well. Reassure them that you will complete your duties and that you are ready to help in any way you can to support the transition to the new teacher. Include the official check-out and sign and print your full name.[6]

   • For example, “I will do everything I can to complete my duties in the coming weeks and help all the team members who will take over for me. Sincerely, [your name]”
   • Or: “I wish the school and the team only the best.” Let me know if I can help you during this transition. Sincerely, [your name]”

7. Reread and edit your letter. Since this is a formal letter, it is important that the tone is professional and clear. Read your letter and look for any instances that might sound harsh or provide too much detail. Check for spelling and grammar errors while you’re at it.[7]
   Consider having someone (who doesn’t work with you) review the letter to catch anything you may have missed.

1. 

   Be careful not to violate any clauses in your contract. Before you hand in your resignation, take another look at your contract. Sometimes teacher contracts may specify a specific time frame in which you should announce your resignation. Submitting your resignation within the required time frame can help you end your job as smoothly as possible.[11]

   • If you can’t serve your notice within that time frame, try to at least aim for the standard two-week notice.

2. Talk to your principal first. Talking about your resignation face-to-face can be awkward, but it’s usually the best way to go about it. By discussing your resignation with your principal before you write the letter, you’ll avoid management hearing about your decision second-hand. This way, the principal can provide more details about your resignation, what it should contain and when you should submit it.[12]

   • It also gives you the opportunity to discuss any concerns or issues you may be facing in a professional manner.

3. Submit your resignation as soon as possible. Once you’ve figured out when you should submit your resignation, try to do it as soon as possible within that time frame. This will give you and the administration time to finalize the details and determine together when your last day will be, if necessary.

1. Find out if you have to submit a physical copy. In many cases, school districts require teachers to submit a hard copy of their resignation letter to keep on file. Others may allow you to send your resignation letter by email. If this is the case, find out who you should email it to and make sure you have the correct email address.[13]

2. Give your letter to your principal, superintendent, or school board. You will usually need to give your resignation letter to your school principal, but some districts may require that you give a copy to someone else. If you are unsure, check your employee handbook or ask your principal.[14]

   • Usually you’ll just hand the letter directly to the principal and they’ll take care of it from there.
   • In case you need to send your letter to the school board, make sure you have the correct address and consider using registered mail to make sure the document is received.

Categories: How to
Source: HIS Education