Teacher Resignation Letter

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Updated Nov 2, 2023
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Paper titled "Teacher Resignation Letter"; woman and man shaking hands; desk with a laptop, papers, an apple, and a pencil; school blackboard

A teacher resignation letter is a professional letter written to a school, stating a teacher’s intentions to quit their employment. It is a notice of resignation typically used in educational institutions. 

When a teacher wants to vacate a job role, they must provide a professionally written notice. This notice is usually a resignation letter telling their employer they are no longer interested in working with the institution. 

A properly written teacher resignation letter should be concise in standard language and contain necessary information like personal information and reason for resignation. While there is no standard form or format, a teacher resignation letter template will help you write a well-written letter that addresses all legal and administrative needs.

What Is a Teacher Resignation Letter?

A teacher resignation letter is a formal letter that communicates a teacher’s intention to resign from work. It is usually hand-delivered to school administrators to inform them about the decision to leave.

Many institutions require teachers who want to quitto turn in a resignation letter that serves as a departure notice. This not only makes the teacher’s departure from the role official but also gives the institution enough time to find a new teacher as a replacement. 

By submitting a teacher letter of resignation, the vacating teacher ties up the loose ends that come with exiting a job role. 

Parties of the Teacher Resignation Letter

  • The Teacher: This is the individual leaving their job role as a teacher, lecturer, or professor in an educational institution. This person writes and submits the teacher resignation letter to their employee to finalize their decision to leave the institution.

  • The Educational Institution: Although the vacating teacher does not write a teacher resignation letter directly to the institution they work with, they address the letter to a representative. This representative might be a principal, school board, or other relevant administrative authority. This authority is charged with beginning the employment termination and teacher replacement process after receiving the teacher's resignation letter.

Key Terms

  1. Personal Information: This includes the name, contact information, position, and address of the resigning teacher.

  2. Statement of Resignation: A statement that clearly states the teacher’s intention to resign from their job role.

  3. Reason for Resignation: A statement that briefly, clearly, and professionally states the teacher’s reason(s) for opting for a resignation. This might range from sickness to pregnancy and relocation.

  4. Date Written: The day the resignation letter was written.

  5. Resignation Date: Also referred to as the last working day or departure date, the resignation date should specify the teacher’s last day working within the school’s premises. This is typically between 14-30 days of the day the teacher writes the letter.

  6. Gratitude for Position: Showing gratitude for the opportunity to work at the school is a great way to ensure the professional relationship ends well. Gratitude refers to the brief expression of appreciation that mentions some positive aspects of the teacher’s experience in the school.

  7. Transition Assistance: Transition assistance refers to the teacher’s offer to help the school’s replacement teacher settle into their role. This includes helping the school find appropriate replacements and preparing teaching materials.

Why Is It Important to Write a Teacher Resignation Letter?

A teacher resignation letter isn’t just another document; it is necessary for teachers who want to leave an institution. There are several reasons why an individual is required to write a teacher letter of resignation.

Some of these include:

  • It is a professional way to tell an institution your intention to leave a teaching job.

  • It is a legal requirement in many educational institutions, and not writing a teacher resignation letter might cause legal complications.

  • It offers the institution clarity and closure as to why a teacher resigns from their job.

  • The institution will keep the resignation letter as record or documentation for future purposes.

  • A teacher letter of resignation shows professionalism and helps the teacher leave a positive relationship behind.

  • It notifies the school to begin hiring a new teacher.

  • It helps you get good future recommendations.

  • It helps you get closure.

What To Include in a Teacher Resignation Letter

Your teacher resignation letter must have several elements to be professional. This includes elements in a standard teacher resignation template such as:

  1. Your Contact Information: This contains your name, address, and phone number. It also includes your email address. All information is usually written at the top of your letter.

  2. Date: The date you write the letter.

  3. School’s Contact Information: This includes the school’s name, address, and name of the principal or administrator.

  4. Salutation: A formal salutation addressing the principal, such as “Dear (Principal’s Name).”

  5. Statement of Resignation: A clear statement that states your intention to leave the teaching position.

  6. Reason for Resignation: A professional reason for vacating the teaching role.

  7. Gratitude: A statement expressing appreciation for the opportunity to work at the school.

  8. Transition Assistance: Offer to assist with finding a new teacher.

  9. Closing: Write a polite closing sentence like “Sincerely” or “Yours truly.”

  10. Your Name: Add your name below the closing of the teacher resignation letter.

What To Avoid in Your Teacher Resignation Letter

When writing your teacher resignation letter, there are certain elements you should avoid including. These elements may negatively affect your professional relationship with the school.

  1. Complaints and criticisms: Complaints or criticisms against the institution, district, or other teachers in the school ruin the chances of a positive relationship with the institution.

  2. Too many details: A teacher resignation letter should be brief without too many details or explanations.

  3. Negative language: Negative language has no place in a resignation letter.

  4. Lack of professional tone: Maintain a professional tone throughout the teacher's letter of resignation.

  5. Future plans: Do not mention future career plans in your resignation letter.

  6. Warnings: Do not make demands or state unnecessary conditions in your letter.

  7. Not following up: Don’t just submit your resignation. Remember to follow the process with the necessary paperwork.

How To Follow Up After Sending Your Teacher Resignation Letter

After writing your teacher resignation letter, it is essential to follow up on the process. 
Following up on your resignation process involves:

  • Confirm the principal or administration manager receives your teacher letter of resignation

  • Schedule a meeting with your supervisor or the school principal to provide clarity on the teacher resignation letter

  • Start tying up loose ends, such as wrapping up your work and organizing materials for a smooth handover to the school or new staff

  • Offer assistance to find, train, and transition the replacement teacher

  • Return all property belonging to the school, such as textbooks and other equipment

  • Communicate resignation intentions to colleagues and students

  • Write a thank-you note

How To Write a Teacher Resignation Letter

Once you decide to leave a role as a teacher in an educational institution, it is important to submit your resignation letter. Although your letter’s details and length depend on your personal needs, there are essential elements that any standard teacher resignation letter template should contain.

1. Determine Who to Address Your Letter to

In many small schools, it is easier to simply address your teacher resignation letter to the principal. If you don’t know who to sign the letter to, you can check your training manual. You can also contact your Human Resources department to find out the best person to write to. A school will ask you to write to one person, but sometimes, you might write the teacher’s letter of resignation to several people. 

2. Check Your Contract for a Required Notice Period

The legal notice period may vary by country, school, contract, and how long you have worked with the school. Check your contract to see how far in advance the school asks for notification from you when you write a teacher resignation letter. If there is no stated notice period, you can give a standard two-week notice. 

3. Set Your Final Day

After submitting your teacher's letter of resignation, you must choose a day when you will leave. This is known as the final workday. 

If you resign during the school year, your employer will want to negotiate your final workday. Reach a compromise with them as they try to replace you quickly.

4. Use a Template

Although you can write your teacher resignation letter by yourself, you may also choose a template. This template acts as a guide to make sure you easily write a professional resignation letter.

A teacher resignation letter template contains the ideas for the structure and wording of a professional letter. You can start by downloading a printable template and simply filling in the blanks with your details.

5. Include Important Information

When writing your teacher resignation letter, don’t forget to include all of your information. This includes your contact information and other details like your last workday. If you are using a teacher resignation letter template, you should simply fill in the appropriate information. It gives the school a way to contact you for your paycheck.

6. Thank Them for the Opportunity

Include a positive statement in your teacher resignation letter. You can do this by saying "thank you." Write briefly what you loved about the job. This will help you maintain a positive relationship.  

7. Ask If You Can Help

Offering assistance in a teacher letter of resignation goes a long way. State your offer to help the school transition. This help can be hiring or training the replacement. You can also create lesson plans for the substitute. Regardless, offering to help in your teacher letter of resignation is a gesture that improves your relationship with the institution. Finish off the letter with a proper closing. 

When To Use a Teacher Resignation Letter

You should use a teacher resignation letter when you decide to stop working with a school. You may also choose to resign at the end of a teaching contract. Writing a resignation letter is necessary if you want to stop teaching at a school. 

Common Use Cases

There are various scenarios during which you can write a teacher resignation letter. In all these cases, you need to decide to leave your teaching position.

  • End of teaching contract;
  • Mid-contract resignation;
  • Change of career;
  • Relocation;
  • Retirement;
  • Health reasons such as long-term sickness;
  • Pregnancy;
  • Educational pursuits;
  • Unsatisfactory work environment;
  • Family responsibilities;
  • A better job opportunity; 
  • Other personal reasons that require a teacher resignation letter.

In all these cases, you might decide to leave your current teaching job. 

When Not To Use a Teacher Resignation Letter

There are certain situations where you should not use a teacher resignation letter. In these cases, writing a letter may not be the best option.

These situations include:

  • When the school accepts a verbal resignation;
  • When your contract does not require a letter;
  • When you have to resign immediately.

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By using Lawrina’s Site you agree with mentioned above and give your irrevocable consent to comply with and to be bound by the provisions of Lawrina Service terms. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should teachers provide a reason for resigning in the letter?

No, it isn’t necessary to list your reason for leaving in the teacher resignation letter. However, if you do, keep the reason brief and professional.

Is it necessary to provide notice in a teacher resignation letter?

Yes, it is a standard procedure to give your employer notice in your teacher resignation letter. This notice gives the school enough time to make the necessary arrangements for your exit.

Although the length of your notice might vary with the contract, the standard notice is usually two weeks. Regardless, a teacher resignation letter template often includes allowance for resignation notice. 

Can a teacher change their mind after submitting a resignation letter?

Changing your mind after submitting the teacher resignation letter is difficult. It depends on state and local laws. A teacher in Texas can change their decision to get a resignation without any problem. In many places, you will also need to meet your HR department or a lawyer for help.