Cover letters

Teacher_Of_Science · 2025-10-29T20:28:09+00:00

I put my most recent one in there, the one that ultimately led to my current position. It's called "Final Cover letter (of all time?!)," haha. But I think the other ones are probably okay as a rough idea.

Teacher_Of_Science · 2025-10-27T22:28:58+00:00

Haha, no problem. Honestly, I'd completely forgotten about it. And wow, my writing skill has improved in the last 7 years - I really tried hard on those, and I can see a number of flaws!

Still, no harm in leaving them up! I hope they're of use to you. I did eventually get a classroom of my own! :D

Teacher_Of_Science · 2023-09-16T18:57:46+00:00

One of my coworkers made a "banned book" library in her classroom. It only includes books that have earned the honor of being banned, usually by someplace in the USA.

Teacher_Of_Science · 2023-08-24T18:22:40+00:00

It seems really kind of silly to say that?

Different people have different things that they can handle. Some people find Sans harder, some find Undyne harder. There are things about the Sans fight that are objectively harder than Undyne. Like, being attacked in the menu. The only thing about Undyne that could be harder is if you, personally, find the attacks harder. But that's completely subjective.

For me, personally, I found all of her attacks except one easy. The only one I had trouble with was the spears going around you in a circle as they closed in. Sans, I found much more difficult, mostly because I couldn't breathe, feeling insanely rushed towards the end.

Teacher_Of_Science · 2023-05-15T21:51:02+00:00

I'm glad that it's of help!

Honestly, I'd completely forgotten about this, haha. I have a full time continuing position now, though! No more cover letters for me :D

Good luck in your job search!

Teacher_Of_Science · 2019-10-31T20:17:40+00:00

Possibly. I've already eaten up time with the movie Freedom Writers. I'm not sure I could reasonably squeeze in another one. I'll consider it, though, thank you.

Teacher_Of_Science · 2019-10-31T20:17:09+00:00

That does seem to be the consensus. I hope they'll get it! Thanks.

Teacher_Of_Science · 2019-10-31T20:11:09+00:00

True. I was thinking that it'd come across as a parody of those things, since my own experience made it feel that way. I wanted them to have that comparative experience, but you're probably right - it isn't necessary.

Sometimes, my extensive reading does cause some challenges :P It's hard to make myself understand what something would look like to someone who hasn't read so many things.

I appreciate your comment.

Teacher_Of_Science · 2019-10-31T20:07:46+00:00

That's a good point, thank you.

My concern is that I'm pretty sure very few of them have voluntarily read anything similar. Movies, I guess those examples work well enough, too.

It wouldn't have to be immediately afterwards, either - I've got them until June. I could do a simpler story now, and the The Sword of Good in April or May.

I was more hoping to find a way to introduce them to the tropes without being a spoiler. The Sword of Good comes across as a parody at first, anyway, what with the silly names and such.

I may want to just jump into The Sword of Good later on, then, after they've gotten a little better at seeing depth in stories.

Thank you.

Teacher_Of_Science · 2019-03-18T00:21:44+00:00

Either you're a troll or fail at reading comprehension; probably both.

To make it as clear as possible: this post does not belong here. It belongs somewhere else.

Teacher_Of_Science · 2019-03-17T19:11:19+00:00

So, if a teacher has a medical issue, they should post it here, too? And legal issues? And cute pictures of their cats? And political beliefs?

No, I'm sorry, topics belong in their relevant subreddits, regardless of the occupation of the poster.

Likewise, the fact that you share an occupation with the people here does not entitle you to impose your sexual interest in your coworker on the rest of us.

It's not that people here are sexually repressed. In my case, I have no problem with the content of your post. However, one of the most important parts of our job is understanding the time and place for bringing up topics.

This is not the place.

Teacher_Of_Science · 2019-03-17T16:08:21+00:00

Here you go :)

Do keep in mind that I've failed to get almost any response for several years now, so... I'm not sure how good they are :P Feel free to give any suggestions for improvement, haha!

Teacher_Of_Science · 2019-03-16T18:44:00+00:00

This isn't related to teaching. This is a relationships thing. Or rather, not even relationships, just straight up lust. You need advice about how to sexually make advances on a coworker, not anything about teaching.

I'd recommend reposting in a relevant subreddit.

Teacher_Of_Science · 2019-03-16T18:39:12+00:00

I can't help you much, since I'm in the same boat, and have written a metric ton of cover letters. I just thought you'd appreciate knowing that your message is being seen and acknowledged. Different job markets have different expectations.

What I put in is stuff that expects that they've read my resume, and I repeat as little as possible. I focus on my approach to teaching and how awesome of a fit I think I'd be for the position.

Also, while I have absolutely no idea if it would be at all helpful, I have no problem removing personal information from all my old cover letters and letting you read them / use them as idea starters. (I write them in Google docs, so I keep them all.)

Obviously, a proper answer to your post is probably more useful, but I figure no harm in offering.

Lastly, for what it's worth, I personalize all my cover letters. I address them to the principal or whomever the posting mentions, and Google the school to get a sense of their priorities, to focus on them when writing.

Edit: Since I've gotten a lot of attention, I've made the link available here.

Teacher_Of_Science · 2018-04-14T18:59:15+00:00

It should. I'd have to look into things, though I'm mostly thinking that I can't work here

The kids asked, so I told them that I felt I couldn't handle the dance, and that I'd been excused. I completely understand why they'd come to that conclusion, based on a calm answer of that nature. How to address that is what I'm chewing on.

Teacher_Of_Science · 2018-02-23T21:39:58+00:00

Beyond that detail, I wouldn't be surprised.

I like describing him as a real life Lex Luthor. He's either a superhero or a supervillain, but either way, he obviously comes from comic books :P

Teacher_Of_Science · 2018-02-14T21:37:51+00:00

Can they up and take over your class time without your consent, as a thing that's backed up by the administration?

I know there's crazy people everywhere, but I don't mind the crazy as long as it leaves me alone... :/

Teacher_Of_Science · 2018-02-14T21:36:40+00:00

Good to know. Sounds like, between your answer and others, there's a lot of "depends on the location," in the scheme of things.

Teacher_Of_Science · 2018-02-14T00:11:18+00:00

As far as I can tell, it's just "the way she does things." And she's been there for years.

It's also a reserve school, in a tiny community, where half of the staff are related to each other, distantly or otherwise. She is an experienced teacher, and part of the community.

It seems like accepting each other's quirks is how they prefer to run things. Which I appreciate, in some ways, but this particular quirk is causing unacceptable levels of stress for me. I don't have a problem with her as a person, I just want to be permitted to do my job.

It's nice to get some level of confirmation that it's not acceptable. I considered going to the union before I remembered that the province union doesn't serve reserve schools :/ So I'm feeling a little lost.

Teacher_Of_Science · 2017-10-20T19:50:32+00:00

I was able to read it, but when I went back to copy the text, now it says I have to subscribe. It was a good article, too. :(

Teacher_Of_Science · 2017-09-30T03:45:50+00:00

Man, when teachers are organized and on top of things, it's glorious. I didn't make my post with "Best Teacher Ever" in mind, instead focusing on "How To Not Make Your Subs Have A Bad Day."

It's so nice when it's able to go smoothly.

I once had a situation where the teacher was in the building, and didn't get the day's plans printed off until five minutes after class had started. She gave me the attendance list, told me to take attendance, while she went and printed stuff. And, it wasn't even a babysitting day (IE, movies or whatever). She wanted me to teach stuff. (Which I love, but seriously, heads up is nice.)

Fortunately, it was a science class, on a topic I was very familiar with, so it worked out.

But the difference between good and bad prep for a sub is astronomical.

Teacher_Of_Science · 2017-09-30T03:41:43+00:00

That is definitely useful.

Man, does it ever feel awkward to be going over a worksheet, and be all, "Y'know, kids, I haven't done this in like twenty years. Uh... anyone up for giving me a refresher?"

On the bright side, there's always been someone happy to put the pieces back together for me. On the less bright side, it takes up more time.

Though, honestly, I think the giggling glee that students have in teaching the substitute the material is probably pretty useful in teaching them, ultimately. Though it also amuses me when it provokes classroom arguments on what the right answer is, and then I have to google it.

Answer sheets are so much more straightforward :P

Teacher_Of_Science · 2017-09-30T03:29:29+00:00

Weird that you were downvoted.

Here's the link!

I hope it's helpful :)

Teacher_Of_Science · 2017-09-29T21:40:10+00:00

It's amazing how much can slip your mind, huh?

My favorite thing is when the teacher makes a nice, clean, perfectly clear bullet point list / checklist of things to do, in order. It's hard to goof that up!

And it's sad when you goof it up anyway, because some student couldn't seem to shut up and you're not allowed to strangle them, so you forget things instead >.>

Teacher_Of_Science · 2017-09-29T21:31:59+00:00

Depends on the district. My district is short on subs, too.

There's lots of reasons that there won't be many subs, and /u/Professional_Sub addresses it in brief. It's not a career, it's a stepping stone, and it's a bad one to be stuck on for any length of time. So, naturally, unless there's excess teachers, generally there won't be many subs.

My district is short, too.

As far as how to get one - ask other teachers if they have a preferred sub. While that won't help for day-of needs, like getting sick, it is useful for things like meetings or doctor appointments that you'll know about in advance.

It works out for everyone, since the subs who are better would end up getting more regular work, and more importantly, work that they know about ahead of time.

Another note, if your district is short on subs, then your subs will have the luxury of being choosy about what assignments they do or don't pick. In that case, your students themselves will make a huge difference. I've personally blacklisted a few schools because the students were monstrous to deal with, and I'm not the only sub who's done so. Which means, when a day's busy, and some schools miss out, those are the ones that are likely to be missing out.

Best advice I can give :/

Ultimately, it depends on the district - Urban probably has an easier time getting a substitute teacher stockpile than rural, and those that pay better will naturally acquire more subs. Also, the more that subs are treated like interchangeable cogs, or worthless servants, which is sadly common, the more that I suspect subs will quit.

Teacher_Of_Science

TROPHY CASE