Art Teacher Cover Letter: 7 Examples From K-12 to Studio

Entry level: New art teacher after student teaching (132 words)

Dear Ms. Kendrick,

I am applying for the K-5 Art Teacher position at Quillmere Elementary, listed on the district job board.

This spring I completed student teaching in art at two elementary schools, teaching about 300 students a week. I designed a six-week printmaking unit for fourth grade that ended with a hallway gallery of 90 linocut prints, and I learned to set up and clean a printmaking station in under ten minutes with student jobs. I hold a state teaching certificate in Visual Arts, K-12.

Your school's arts night is one of the reasons I applied. I would love to help it grow, and my student work portfolio and lesson plans are linked below my signature.

Thank you for your time. I would welcome the chance to interview.

Sincerely, Elena Park

Mid level: Elementary art teacher (129 words)

Dear Mr. Lindgren,

I am applying for the Elementary Art Teacher position at Tamsin Hollow Elementary.

For five years I have taught art to every student in a K-5 school of 520, seeing each class once a week. I teach drawing, painting, clay and collage, and I connect at least one unit a quarter to what classroom teachers are teaching, such as a third grade habitat unit that became a clay animal project. I run the school's spring art show, which drew about 400 family members last year.

I manage a $3,000 supply budget and keep a room that 25 six-year-olds can clean up in five minutes. My state certificate is in Visual Arts, K-12.

I would welcome the chance to show you my students' work.

Sincerely, Maria Santos

Mid level: Middle school art teacher (131 words)

Dear Dr. Okafor,

I am applying for the Art Teacher position at Corbin Ridge Middle School.

I have taught grades 6 through 8 for four years. Middle schoolers are honest critics, so I build every unit around a real audience: a mural for the cafeteria, illustrated books for the elementary school next door, a digital design unit where students made posters for the school play. Enrollment in my eighth grade art elective grew from one section to three.

I also run an after-school art club and co-sponsor the yearbook. I hold a state teaching certificate in Art, K-12, and I am comfortable with tablets and basic design software as well as traditional media.

Thank you for considering my application. My portfolio of student work is linked below.

Best regards, James Whitaker

Mid level: High school art teacher (124 words)

Dear Ms. Hartman,

I am applying for the Visual Arts Teacher position at Eastmoor Vale High School.

For seven years I have taught Art 1, Drawing and Painting, Ceramics and an advanced portfolio course at a high school of 1,400 students. Last year 11 of my seniors were accepted to art and design programs, and four students won awards at the regional student art exhibition. I teach critique as a weekly habit, so students can talk about their own work before anyone else does.

Your posting mentions a new ceramics studio. I have managed two kilns, written the safety procedures for our studio and trained student assistants to load and unload them.

I would welcome the chance to discuss the position.

Sincerely, Daniel Brooks

Entry level: Career changer, practicing artist to art teacher (127 words)

Dear Mr. Abernathy,

I am applying for the Art Teacher position at Pine Ferry Middle School.

I have worked for nine years as a painter and illustrator, with two solo shows and commissioned murals for local businesses. For the last three years I have taught weekend classes for children and teens at a community art center, where I write my own lesson plans and teach groups of 12 to 15 students. I am now completing my state's alternative teacher certification route in art.

I want to teach full time because watching a thirteen-year-old finish a painting they did not think they could make is better than any opening night. I would bring professional technique and patience to your students.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely, Aisha Morgan

Mid level: Art instructor at a community art center (110 words)

Dear Ms. Nakamura,

I am applying for the Youth Programs Art Instructor position at the Saltmarsh Arts Center.

For four years I have taught children's and teen art classes at a private school and a summer arts camp, from drawing fundamentals to wheel-thrown ceramics. I plan 8-week sessions, keep a waitlist of returning families, and run the end-of-session exhibition with student artist statements. My classes have mixed ages, so every project has a simple version and a stretch version.

Your center's partnership with the public library is a great model. I would be glad to help build more programs like it.

Thank you for considering my application.

Best, Leo Fernandez

Senior: Art department chair (123 words)

Dear Superintendent Coleman,

I am applying for the Visual Arts Department Chair position at Ardley Crest High School.

I have taught high school art for fourteen years and have chaired a department of four art teachers for the last five. I wrote our district-aligned curriculum for six courses, manage a $25,000 annual budget, and lead the department's yearly student exhibition at the town library. Under my leadership we added a digital media course that now runs four sections.

I mentor new art teachers through their first two years and observe each department member twice a year. I would bring the same planning and support to your department.

I would welcome the chance to discuss your plans for the arts program.

Sincerely, Rebecca Stone