How to Showcase Your Instructional Skills on Your Resume

Are you looking for an instructional job in a k-12 school or related employer? If so, you need to make sure that your resume stands out from the crowd and highlights your relevant skills and achievements. A resume is not just a list of your work history and education, but a marketing tool that showcases your value as an instructor.

In this article, we will provide you with samples of highlights or achievements that you can incorporate in your resume to demonstrate your instructional skills and impress potential employers.

Curriculum Development

One of the most important skills for an instructor/teacher is the ability to design and develop effective and engaging curricula that align with the standards and objectives of the school and the subject. If you have experience in creating or revising curricula, you should highlight that on your resume. For example, you can write:

• • Developed and implemented a new curriculum for the 9th grade English Language Arts course, which increased student achievement by 15% on standardized tests and improved student engagement by 25%.
  • Revised and updated the existing curriculum for the 6th grade Science course, incorporating project-based learning, inquiry-based learning, and STEM activities, which enhanced student learning outcomes and fostered collaboration and creativity.

Instructional Strategies

Another key skill for an instructor/teacher is the ability to use various instructional strategies to deliver the content and meet the diverse needs and preferences of the students. If you have used different methods and techniques to teach your students, you should highlight that on your resume. For example, you can write:

• • Utilized a variety of instructional strategies, such as direct instruction, cooperative learning, flipped classroom, and differentiated instruction, to cater to the different learning styles and levels of the students.
  • Implemented a blended learning approach, combining online and face-to-face instruction, to provide flexibility and convenience for the students and enhance their learning experience.

Assessment and Evaluation

An instructor/teacher also needs to be able to assess and evaluate the students’ progress and performance, as well as provide constructive feedback and guidance. If you have experience in designing and administering assessments, as well as analyzing and reporting the results, you should highlight that on your resume. For example, you can write:

• • Designed and administered various formative and summative assessments, such as quizzes, tests, projects, portfolios, and presentations, to measure the students’ mastery of the content and skills.
  • Analyzed and reported the assessment data, using tools such as Google Forms, Excel, and Power BI, to identify the students’ strengths and weaknesses, and adjust the instruction accordingly.

Classroom Management

An instructor/teacher also needs to be able to manage the classroom effectively and create a positive and conducive learning environment for the students. If you have experience in establishing and enforcing classroom rules and procedures, as well as handling classroom issues and challenges, you should highlight that on your resume. For example, you can write:

• • Established and enforced clear and consistent classroom rules and procedures, which reduced the number of disciplinary referrals by 50% and increased the time on task by 30%.
  • Handled various classroom issues and challenges, such as disruptive behavior, absenteeism, and bullying, using strategies such as positive reinforcement, restorative justice, and peer mediation, which improved the classroom climate and culture.

Technology Integration

An instructor/teacher also needs to be able to integrate technology into the instruction and enhance the learning process and outcomes. If you have experience in using various technology tools and platforms to support your instruction, you should highlight that on your resume. For example, you can write:

• • Integrated technology into the instruction, using tools and platforms such as Google Classroom, Kahoot, Padlet, and Flipgrid, to facilitate communication, collaboration, and feedback among the students and the instructor/teacher.
  • Leveraged technology to enhance the instruction, using tools and platforms such as Nearpod, Edpuzzle, and Quizizz, to create interactive and engaging lessons and activities for the students.

Professional Development

An instructor/teacher also needs to be able to engage in continuous professional development and keep up with the latest trends and best practices in the field. If you have participated in or facilitated any professional development activities, such as workshops, webinars, courses, or conferences, you should highlight that on your resume. For example, you can write:

• • Participated in various professional development activities, such as workshops on curriculum development, webinars on instructional strategies, and courses on assessment and evaluation, to enhance my knowledge and skills as an instructor/teacher.
  • Facilitated professional development activities, such as workshops on technology integration, webinars on classroom management, and courses on blended learning, to share my expertise and experience with other instructors/teachers.

Collaboration and Communication

An instructor/teacher also needs to be able to collaborate and communicate effectively with various stakeholders, such as students, parents, colleagues, and administrators. If you have experience in working with or leading teams, as well as communicating with different audiences, you should highlight that on your resume. For example, you can write:

• • Collaborated and communicated effectively with the students, using various channels such as email, phone, and video conferencing, to provide support, feedback, and guidance.
  • Collaborated and communicated effectively with the parents, using various channels such as newsletters, blogs, and social media, to keep them informed and involved in their children’s learning.
  • Collaborated and communicated effectively with the colleagues, working in teams such as grade-level teams, subject-area teams, and cross-curricular teams, to plan, implement, and evaluate the instruction.
  • Collaborated and communicated effectively with the administrators, providing reports and presentations on the instruction, assessment, and evaluation, as well as seeking feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Leadership and Initiative

An instructor/teacher also needs to be able to demonstrate leadership and initiative in the school and the community. If you have experience in taking on or initiating any leadership roles or projects, such as mentoring, coaching, or volunteering, you should highlight that on your resume. For example, you can write:

• • Took on a leadership role as the head of the English department, overseeing the curriculum development, instructional delivery, and assessment and evaluation of the English courses in the school.
  • Took on a leadership role as the mentor of the new instructors, providing them with orientation, training, and support, as well as facilitating their integration into the school culture and community.
  • Initiated a leadership project as the coach of the debate team, recruiting, training, and mentoring the students, as well as organizing and participating in various debate competitions and events.
  • Initiated a leadership project as the volunteer of the literacy program, tutoring and mentoring the students who need extra help in reading and writing, as well as promoting the importance of literacy in the school and the community.

Diversity and Inclusion

An instructor/teacher also needs to be able to respect and appreciate the diversity and inclusion of the students and the school community. If you have experience in working with or supporting students from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and abilities, you should highlight that on your resume. For example, you can write:

• • Worked with and supported students from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and abilities, using strategies such as culturally responsive teaching, universal design for learning, and multi-tiered system of support, to ensure that all students have equal access and opportunity to learn and succeed.
  • Worked with and supported students from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and abilities, using strategies such as multicultural education, global education, and social justice education, to foster awareness, appreciation, and respect for diversity and inclusion in the school and the society.

Creativity and Innovation

An instructor/teacher also needs to be able to demonstrate creativity and innovation in the instruction and the learning process. If you have experience in creating or implementing any creative or innovative ideas, projects, or solutions, you should highlight that on your resume. For example, you can write:

• • Created and implemented a creative idea for the instruction, such as a gamified learning system, a flipped classroom model, or a student-led conference, which increased student motivation, engagement, and ownership of their learning.
  • Created and implemented an innovative project for the learning process, such as a maker space, a genius hour, or a passion project, which encouraged student creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills.
  • Created and implemented a creative or innovative solution for a challenge or an issue in the instruction or the learning process, such as a digital portfolio, a peer feedback system, or a learning contract, which improved student performance, progress, and satisfaction.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many ways to showcase your instructional skills on your resume. By using these 10 original samples of highlights or achievements, you can make your resume more attractive and convincing for potential employers. Remember to tailor your resume to the specific job and school that you are applying for, and highlight the skills and achievements that are most relevant and impressive. With a well-written resume, you can increase your chances of landing your dream instructional job in a k-12 school.

Good luck with your job search and we wish you all the best as you continue through your career journey.