Cover Letter
August 5th, 2016
To whom it may concern,
I am writing to express my interest in the English teaching position with South Lyon Community Schools. I have recently completed my 4th year of teaching at South Lyon High School. During this time I taught 9th grade and lead and co-taught 10th grade English Language Arts. In the last four years, I have also served as the high school debate coach, student council advisor, writing club advisor, and subject area committee member for the English department.
Prior to this position I completed my yearlong teaching internship with the education program at Michigan State University and worked as a long-term substitute teacher in both 7th and 8th grade classrooms. During my internship I was consistently pushed by a supportive network, including my mentor teacher, graduate course instructors, field instructor and colleagues, to make improvements in my lesson planning, study my own practice and test a variety of approaches to teaching. I have passed my certification tests for both English and TESOL, have received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Education from MSU, have obtained my Provisional Teaching Certificate for the state of Michigan, and have received a highly qualified rating in the last four years of teaching. Additionally, I have recently completed my Master of Arts in Education, with a focus on literacy, at MSU.
Based on my education background, my experiences at South Lyon High School where I taught 9th and 10th grade English language arts, my internship; where I lead and co-taught 8th grade English Language Arts in a fully inclusive classroom, and in an intensive study skills class for students in special education, the substitute teaching I have done, as well as working in both the school setting and private setting; as a tutor for language arts and ESL, I feel that I possess the fundamental skills needed to work in a Public School. Additionally, based on the work and accomplishments I have achieved during my student teaching internship I was given the opportunity to serve as a long-term substitute teacher for another English language teacher with whom I had worked closely and collaborated with throughout the school year. This opportunity, in addition to my other positions and roles, has given me the knowledge and familiarity with working with many types of students both high achieving and those with special needs.
As a teacher at South Lyon High School, I was responsible for planning and putting into practice all of the lessons and units taught. Additionally, the department and subject area committee that I continue to be a part of in my current position is of a very collaborative nature and strives for consistency throughout their teaching methods. In this position, I plan and work collaboratively and cohesively with not only my co-teacher but all of the 9th and 10th grade English language arts teachers. These experiences have equipped me with very useful problem-solving skills and the flexibility to succeed in any situation with any type of individual.
My experience as a teaching assistant for the ISHALL program with Michigan State University’s Department of Gifted and Talented Education has given me many of the tools necessary for this position. I have been able to work closely with academically talented students coming from a variety of school districts and teach and assist them with their coursework from their weekly class. I have had the privilege to work in both rural and urban school districts as well as with students who are on the gifted end of the spectrum and those in special education. Working with a wide variety of students has been a wonderful educational experience and I am anxious to teach in a setting with a diverse group of students.
I am very interested in obtaining a position with your school and feel I possess the qualities needed to succeed in any English language arts position. I am extremely hardworking, dependable, self-motivated, organized as well as very detail oriented. This position calls for an independently responsible, energetic professional who can also work well and efficiently with the other staff. I truly feel that I exemplify these qualities and would be a great fit with the staff and faculty who are dedicated to working closely and cohesively.
I would be pleased to speak with you further to discuss the position available and my qualifications. If you would like to contact me, feel free to email me at morris.madelyn@gmail.com. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Madelyn Morris