Teacher Certification on Resume

What Is Teacher Certification

The Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (ISTE) and the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) are two major organizations that issue teacher certifications in the United States. These certifications validate a teacher's core skills and knowledge, including pedagogical techniques, classroom management, lesson planning, and subject-specific content knowledge. Obtaining teacher certification is significant in the industry as IT signifies a teacher's readiness to instruct students effectively and meet educational standards. Prerequisites typically include earning a bachelor's degree and passing required examinations. Certifications are valid for varying periods, usually ranging from 5 to 10 years, and must be renewed through continued professional development or additional coursework. Preparation time and difficulty level depend on individual background and educational focus, with an average time investment of one to two years.

Should I Include Teacher Certification on Resume?

Including teacher certification on a resume can demonstrate a job seeker's commitment to their profession, especially when applying for teaching positions or roles related to education. The relative value of the certification depends on the industry and career stage; for early-career professionals, IT can set them apart from competitors, while for more experienced candidates, IT may be assumed that they hold a certification. Job seekers should list their certifications if they have been obtained recently and are directly related to the target position or industry. In some regions, teacher certification may be essential for employment, whereas in others, IT might not be as critical.

Hiring Managers And Teacher Certification on Resume

• Hiring managers consider teacher certification as an indicator of a candidate's professional competency and dedication to the field.
• They associate this credential with strong instructional skills, subject matter expertise, and adherence to best practices in education.
• In industry-specific perspectives, having teacher certification may be essential for roles that directly involve teaching or curriculum development.
• Teacher certification can set candidates apart from competitors, making them more appealing to hiring managers.
• Potential negative perceptions include a lack of real-world experience or the perception that a certified individual is too rigid in their approach to teaching.

How to List Teacher Certification on Resume

• Use the following formatting: Certified [Subject/Grade Level] Teacher, [Issuing Organization], [Certificate Number (optional)]. For example: Certified Elementary School Teacher, Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium, #1234567.
• Include the certification number or ID if requested in job applications or if IT's essential for tracking purposes.
• Note expiration/renewal dates using brackets: [Expiration Date] or [Renewed Through Date]. For example: Certified Elementary School Teacher, Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium, #1234567 [Valid through 2025].
• Include the certifying organization's name to demonstrate credibility.
• For in-progress certifications, list them with the expected completion date: Certified Middle School Science Teacher (In Progress), National Council on Teacher Quality, Expected Completion Date: 2023.

Where to List Teacher Certification on Resume

• A dedicated certifications section is ideal for listing teacher certification as IT allows hiring managers to quickly identify relevant qualifications.
• If the teacher certification is directly related to the target position, list IT under Education along with degree information.
• Mention teacher certification in the summary or professional profile only if IT is highly relevant to the job objective.
• List multiple placements separately, with the most recent one first.
• Arrange certifications in order of relevance to the target position, placing the most important ones at the top of the list.

Examples of How to List Teacher Certification on Resume

Example 1 - For a Technical Resume

Certified Elementary School Teacher, Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium, #1234567, Valid: March 2023 – March 2025

This format is ideal for a technical resume as IT clearly highlights the teacher certification amidst other technical qualifications. The validity period provides context on the length of the certification's validity.

Example 2 - For a Recent Graduate

Education & Certifications, Georgia Southern University, Savannah, GA Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, May 2021 Certified Elementary School Teacher, Georgia Professional Standards Commission, #9876543, Valid: August 2021 – August 2024

In a recent graduate's resume, the education and certifications section is vital. Combining degree completion with the teacher certification provides context on their academic background and teaching readiness.

Example 3 - In a Dedicated Certifications Section

Certifications, Chicago, IL Certified Elementary School Teacher, Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium, #1234567, Valid: January 2022 – January 2025 Child Protection and Welfare Certificate, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Valid: June 2021 – June 2023

For a resume that emphasizes certifications, IT's beneficial to separate this section from education or work experience. This allows the hiring manager to quickly assess the candidate's qualifications and relevant credentials.

Example 4 - In a Skills-First Resume Format

Teaching Skills & Certifications, Seattle, WA Developing lesson plans using interactive methods (e.g., gamification) Adapting curriculum to meet diverse student needs Certified Elementary School Teacher, Washington Educator Certification Office, #8910112, Valid: July 2023 – July 2026

In a skills-focused resume, IT's important to demonstrate the candidate's teaching abilities alongside their certification. By grouping related skills and certifications together, the hiring manager can easily evaluate the applicant's teaching competencies and qualifications.