Sample letter of recommendation for principal applicant

Updated June 29, 2022

A teacher recommendation letter provides a written character reference of a teacher by another individual. This is common for a teacher is seeking employment and uses the letter to their advantage. It is highly advised to have the letter be written by the principal at the teacher’s previous school or, for those with no experience, to have the letter completed by a former professor. The letter was written should be no more than 1-page, easy to read, and provide positive character traits of the person as an educator.

Student Recommendation Letter – Use if you are a teacher looking to write a letter of recommendation for a student.

Who to Select?

A teacher recommendation letter is ideally written by a principal. However, it may also be written by a vice-principal or, in the case of student-teacher, it may be written by a sponsor teacher. The person writing the letter will need to be able to describe the candidate’s abilities as an employee, a co-worker, and a teacher.

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How to Write (Format)

The general form for a teacher recommendation letter includes a letterhead, an introduction, at least two (2) body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The length of the letter will depend on how familiar the author is with the person that they are writing on behalf of. That being said, it should only fill one page.

Letterhead

The top-left corner of the letter should contain a letterhead with the following information:

1. Date of Writing
2. Full Name
3. Title
4. School Name
5. Street Address
6. City, State, Zip Code
7. Preferred Contact (optional)

Introduction

The introduction presents the author, addresses the reader, and introduces the applicant. The letter may be addressed to a specific person or school, or it may be written as a general letter of recommendation. The introduction can also include a brief description of the length of time and nature of the author’s professional acquaintance with the candidate.

Example #1

Dear Principal Stetson,

I am taking this opportunity to give my personal recommendation of Mrs. Petra Forde for the position of 5th Grade Teacher at Gulch River Elementary. During her three year tenure at Wolfhampton Middle School, Mrs. Forde has managed to make herself an integral member of the school community. Although I am sad to see her leave our school, it is my pleasure to write this letter on her behalf.

Example #2

To Whom It May Concern:

Mr. Francis Jordan has recently completed his final practicum in my fourth grade class at Forest Elementary School. As Francis’ teaching strengths and positive qualities are numerous, and his dedication is sincere, I write this letter of recommendation with conviction.

Paragraph #1

The first body paragraph of a recommendation letter for a teacher should clearly state the candidate’s role at a particular school, their training and skills, and their contributions to the school community.

Example #1

Mrs. Becket began her teaching career with us three years ago. She brought with her an extensive background in art history and english literature, along with a positive attitude and engaging personality. This past year, she and a group of the senior students helped initiate and organize a student talent show, which was a great success. Since her first year teaching here, Mrs. Becket has contributed towards getting the work of exceptional students published in a nationwide poetry anthology. She has the ability to inspire students to explore their gifts, and I am confident that she will continue her positive influence on many students to come.

This author quickly provides the length of time that the candidate has worked at their school and gives a positive assessment of the applicant’s training. They then give two examples of how the teacher has contributed to the school community which demonstrates a level of care that goes beyond the requirements of their position.

Example #2

With Mr. Smith, thorough preparation and willingness to work diligently was evident from the outset. Mr. Smith and I met in July in order to define his responsibilities and to access resources. Before school began, a great deal of planning had already taken place, allowing time for discussion and approval. A variety of media were used within lessons, and tasks took many forms which accommodated students of varying abilities. High-level questioning techniques were employed to broaden the students’ thinking. In addition to encouraging students to reflect upon their learning, Mr. Smith himself regularly used his teaching experiences as opportunities for growth and skill refinement.

This is another example from a letter written on behalf of a student-teacher. The author uses multiple examples to first demonstrate the candidate’s careful preparation for the job and their diligent work ethic. They go on to emphasize how the student-teacher’s preparation paid off, as well as how they were able to adapt themselves to the many different students, media, and tasks that they were presented with during their internship.

Paragraph #2

The second body paragraph sums up the applicant’s skills and suitability for employment. Having provided a description of the prospective teacher’s skills, community participation, and their position at their previous educational institution, the author should now expand upon these points with more descriptions and examples.

Example #1

Ms. Preston has a unique and wonderful rapport with the faculty and students of Foxglove Elementary. She’s extraordinarily talented at connecting with her students and educating in a creative and engaging fashion. Showing confidence in the use of varied media, Ms. Preston incorporated the use of technology to best effect. She has excellent communication skills, which is evident when examining her success in creating strong teacher-parent relations or connecting with students who require extra care.

In the above paragraph, an applicant’s teaching and communication skills are highlighted. By emphasizing these qualities, the teacher is presented as being capable of working well with students, faculty, and parents. The author also reveals that the candidate is proficient in current technologies, which is very important in today’s classrooms.

Example #2

Ms. Morrisson played a vital role in student assessment and reporting this term, maintaining extremely detailed and well-organized record books. She participated in informal parent-teacher interviews in the Fall, worked on report cards, and most recently, met with parents who had requested interviews following the December report cards. Throughout these interactions, she was both professional and approachable, which allowed for open and constructive discussion about the student at hand.

Here, a sponsor teacher details the student-teacher’s tasks and responsibilities throughout the term. They affirm that the candidate excelled in fulfilling all of their obligations.

Conclusion

In the conclusion of the letter, the author should restate their recommendation on behalf of the applicant and end with an invitation for further contact. Contact information can be included in the conclusion or in the letterhead at the top of the page. Below this, the author must include their name and signature.

Example #1

I can highly recommend Ms. Adams as a Physics teacher, as well as basketball coach. This committed educator will make a huge contribution to whichever school she teaches at next. If you have any more questions regarding Ms. Adams, I would be happy to comply. My email address is:

Thank you very much for your time.

Sincerely,

 ________________

Tina McDiamond

School Principal

Ernest Elementary School

In the above example, a teacher has been let go from a school out of necessity, as is described in the text. The person writing this recommendation letter has made their recommendation clear and left an invitation for further contact.

Example #2

As a large number of teachers are nearing retirement, it is heartening to know that confident, intelligent, and insightful young educators will be able to enter classrooms, ready to contribute to our learning communities. Samuel Pence will be an educator of whom many future students will remember as “one of my best teachers”.

Should you need to reach me for additional information, feel free to contact me at the above address, at Hill Point Elementary, or via e-mail ().

Sincerely,

______________

Mrs. Gladys Munroe

Written on behalf of a young aspiring teacher, this conclusion illustrates the benefits of hiring new teachers and gives a strong recommendation of the applicant’s potential.

Sample 1

April 24, 2017

Drew D. Millar
Principal
123 Fallow Lane
Bridgetown, CA 90210
555-555-5555

To Whom It May Concern:

It is my pleasure to introduce to you, Ms. Emily Semple, a highly valued teaching member of our staff for three years. Her assignment has been with fifth-year students of varying abilities. Ms. Semple is, in my opinion, a truly gifted educator. She quickly develops a good rapport with her students, establishes solid routines, and employs consistent and fair practices in her classroom.

Ms. Semple took an active interest in the well-being of each of her pupils. Close contact with the parents was undertaken in a very thorough and meaningful way. Her pupils responded well to her engaging approach to education and genuine interest in them. Under Ms. Semple’s guidance and encouragement, her pupils consistently realized measurable gains.

As a staff member, Ms. Semple was pleasant and cooperative. She has a delightful sense of humor and contributed much to the staff, both professionally and socially.

It has been my pleasure to have worked with Ms. Semple. She is a hardworking, well-organized, committed teacher who has given much to our pupils. She enjoys the respect of her pupils, their parents, her fellow teachers, and the school administration.

I am pleased to recommend her without reservation, for any position requiring hard work, initiative, loyalty, and dedication. Please contact me if you need any further information.

Yours truly,

______________

Drew D. Millar

Sample 2

August 10, 2017

Glenn C. Reid
Principal
Treeline Elementary School
123 Tree Avenue
Felcherville, Alabama 12345

Dear Mrs. Johnson,

Ms. Megan Paulson is probably one of the finest, creative, and most approachable teachers with whom I have worked. It has been my very great pleasure to know her for several years. I am disappointed that she is not able to obtain a full-time teaching position at our school, because she has so much to offer.

Megan brings to her job a high degree of vitality and a refreshing pedagogy. She is a great asset, not only in the class but in the school as a whole. Her artistic talents provide numerous opportunities for creative class projects. Ms. Paulson also incorporated the use of technology to best effect in her daily lessons. Her presence in the school is respected by all and her many contributions, beyond the regular curriculum, are exemplary.

It is without hesitation that I commend Megan Paulson for her contributions to students and education. She is a great asset to any school and will surely have a positive effect on any developing mind under her influence.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you require additional information.

Yours truly,

______________

Glenn C. Reid,

Sample 3

April 24, 2017

Linda Dunsmuir
Principal
Dawson Elementary
616 Harbor Road
Redwood, CA 90213

To Whom It May Concern,

I am pleased to write a letter of reference for Mrs. Lynn Hudson, a teacher at Dawson Elementary. Ms. Hudson currently teaches a Grade 4/5 class at Dawson, where I am principal. Prior to that, I worked with her at Tribeca Elementary, where she taught Kindergarten and Grade 7. She has a long and varied teaching career and I feel so fortunate to have acquired her on my staff again this year. In the fourteen years that I have known Mrs. Hudson, I have been most impressed by her dedication to students and the high-quality teaching skills she brings to her position.

In all of my observations of Mrs. Hudson, she has always demonstrated exceptional teaching skills regardless of her class’s age group or diversity of learning levels. Mrs. Hudson always ensures that her students experience success by challenging their abilities in order to encourage as much growth and development as possible. Her students are always treated with great dignity and respect and, as a result, she has an excellent rapport with them. Mrs. Hudson also has a very good working relationship with the parents of her students.

Mrs. Hudson brings a number of special talents to her role as a teacher; she is a gifted artist and she provides art lessons to her class, producing lovely work for the hallways and classroom. While she has only been at Dawson Elementary for a short time, she has already contributed to the school in significant ways, including doing artwork for special events and functions. She is well-liked and appreciated by staff, students and parents. Lynn models life-long learning; she actively seeks professional development opportunities and is willing to try new strategies and methodologies. She has always made herself available to staff members as a mentor and a guide in areas in which she has the expertise, such as visual arts, novel studies, and children’s literature.

I was delighted to hear that Mrs. Hudson is applying for the position of art teacher at your school. As well as being a dedicated, caring, skilled teacher, I believe she possesses many of the qualities that will make her a very successful addition to your school community. Though it is with a heavy heart that I see her go, I highly recommend her for the position. If you require further information, please feel free to contact me.

Yours truly,

____________________

Mrs. Linda Dunsmuir,
Principal

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