Letter of Recommendation for Teacher — Free Template
School districts hiring teachers want to know how a candidate manages a classroom, supports students and works with colleagues and families. This version is written by a principal, department head or mentor teacher recommending a teacher for a new position.
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[Your email and phone number]
October 15, 2026
Re: Letter of recommendation for [Name of the person you're recommending]
Dear Hiring Committee,
It is my pleasure to recommend [Name of the person you're recommending] for a teaching position. [How you know them, and for how long]
[Their key strengths]
One example shows the kind of person [Name of the person you're recommending] is. [A specific example or story]
Based on everything I have seen, I recommend [Name of the person you're recommending] [How strongly you recommend them]. I am confident [Name of the person you're recommending] will bring the same ability, care and commitment to this next step.
Please feel free to contact me at [Your email and phone number] if you would like any more information.
Sincerely,
[Your full name]
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What hiring committees want to see
School hiring teams look for evidence of classroom management, instruction, student growth and professionalism. If you've observed the teacher's classroom, say so and describe what you saw. Mention specific practices, programs or improvements rather than general words like "dedicated."
Collaboration matters too. Committees want to know whether the teacher works well with colleagues, special education staff, administrators and parents.
Who should write it
A principal or assistant principal who has evaluated the teacher carries the most weight, followed by a department chair, instructional coach or mentor teacher. For new teachers, a cooperating teacher or university supervisor from student teaching is a common choice.
Many districts collect recommendations through an online application system, so ask the teacher how and when to submit.
Mistakes to avoid
Avoid naming individual students or sharing anything from student records, even to illustrate a success. Don't rely on words like "passionate" or "caring" without an example behind them, and don't overstate results you can't support. If you've only seen the teacher briefly, be clear about that and focus on what you did observe, such as a lesson, a meeting or a school event.
What to do, step by step
Agree to write it only if you can be positive
A lukewarm recommendation can hurt more than no letter at all. If you don't know the person well enough to be specific and enthusiastic, say so and suggest someone who does.
Ask for the details you need
Get the deadline, where the letter goes, who it should be addressed to and what the opportunity is. A résumé, job posting or program description helps you choose the right strengths to highlight.
Fill in your letter
Answer the questions above. Lead with how you know the person, pick two or three strengths that fit the opportunity, and back them up with one concrete example.
Keep it to one page and proofread it
Most readers skim. Three or four short paragraphs, the person's name spelled correctly and no generic filler will do more than a long letter.
Send it the way the recipient asks
Upload it to the application portal, email it as a PDF or hand a signed copy to the candidate. Keep a copy in case you're asked to write another one later.
What if you don't know the person well enough to write a strong letter?
It's fine to say no. A short, honest reply such as "I don't think I know your work well enough to write the strong letter you deserve" is kinder than a vague recommendation that admissions officers or hiring managers will read as a warning sign.
If you're willing but unsure what to say, ask the person for a quick list of things you worked on together, the qualities they'd like you to speak to and any accomplishments you may not know about. Many strong letters start from a conversation like this.
If you can only speak to part of their experience, write about that part honestly and specifically. A narrow letter with a real example is usually more useful than a broad one full of general praise.
Example letter of recommendation for teacher
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Dr. Lorraine Matthews
Principal, Oakridge Elementary School
lmatthews@oakridgeschools.org, (555) 648-2275
October 5, 2026
Re: Letter of recommendation for Ms. Carla Jimenez
Dear Hiring Committee,
It is my pleasure to recommend Ms. Carla Jimenez for a teaching position. I have been Ms. Jimenez's principal for five years, observing her fourth-grade classroom several times each year and working with her on our school leadership team.
Ms. Jimenez runs a calm, well-organized classroom where students know what is expected and feel safe taking risks. She uses assessment data thoughtfully to group students, communicates often and warmly with families, and is the colleague newer teachers seek out for advice.
One example shows the kind of person Ms. Carla Jimenez is. Two years ago, Ms. Jimenez noticed that many of her students were reading below grade level. She designed a small-group reading routine, trained our classroom aides to support it and shared it with her grade-level team. By the end of the year, most of her students had met their reading growth goals, and the routine is now used in every fourth-grade classroom in our building.
Based on everything I have seen, I recommend Ms. Carla Jimenez without reservation. I am confident Ms. Carla Jimenez will bring the same ability, care and commitment to this next step.
Please feel free to contact me at lmatthews@oakridgeschools.org, (555) 648-2275 if you would like any more information.
Sincerely,
Dr. Lorraine Matthews
Principal, Oakridge Elementary School
Frequently asked questions
Can a parent write a letter of recommendation for a teacher?
A parent can write a supportive letter, but hiring committees give more weight to colleagues and supervisors who have seen the teacher's professional work. A parent letter works best as an extra, not a main reference.
Should I mention test scores?
You can mention student growth in general terms if you're confident it's accurate, but avoid naming individual students or sharing private records. Describing a practice and its results is usually more meaningful than quoting a single score.
Is this letter also useful for a teaching award or leadership role?
Yes. Change the purpose and emphasize the qualities the award or role recognizes, such as leadership, innovation or mentoring. The same structure of relationship, strengths and one concrete example works well.
How formal should it be?
Professional but warm. Use the teacher's name and title as they use it at school, write in full sentences and keep it to one page.
What should a letter of recommendation include?
Explain who you are and how you know the candidate, including how long. Then describe two or three specific strengths relevant to the opportunity, support them with a concrete example, and close with a clear statement of your recommendation and your contact details so the reader can follow up.
How long should a letter of recommendation be?
Usually one page, or roughly 300 to 500 words. Admissions committees and hiring managers read many letters, so a focused letter with one strong example is more effective than a long one. Some graduate programs expect a little more detail, so check any instructions you've been given.
FairLetter is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Letters are templates you customize and send yourself.