An Old-fashioned Approach
Private schools are small corporate entities. It's not like you're applying to a Fortune 1000 company. So, remember that each school is unique and has its own specific job application requirements and instructions.
Finding a private high school teaching position is similar to finding any other job with specific requirements for experience and education. The difference is that most private schools will expect you to be an active member of their school community. Put another way, it is not enough to teach your subject and go home. You will be expected to be a leader in the school community. Your willingness to be involved in extracurricular and athletic activities is a job requirement for private school teachers.
It sounds simple enough, but one of the most important things you must do when looking for a teaching job is to ensure your qualifications match the requirements of the position. If you don't clarify that in your resume and cover letter, you might not even make the first cut when your application is opened and reviewed.
Let's look at a typical job posting and review how it should be handled. This is an actual job posting. The name of the school has been changed to protect its identity.
| Upper School Mathematics Teacher beginning Fall 2025 Job Responsibilities St Swithins seeks an energetic and committed Mathematics teacher for grades 9 - 12 to teach a range of courses in a comprehensive curriculum offering Algebra I through Calculus. This is a full-time, benefited faculty position. Qualities of a successful candidate will include: * Ability to inspire students' love of learning * Enthusiasm for professional growth and academic excellence * Passion for Mathematics * Commitment to students with all learning styles * A commitment to participate broadly in school life * Experience applying technology in an educational setting A Master's degree or Virginia teaching certification is preferred. |
Academic Qualifications
OK, so let's review the job advertisement above. We will begin with your degree. Do you have a master's degree? If you do, it should be in the subject the school is advertising for, i.e., mathematics, not classics. However, as long as your first degree is in honors mathematics, the master's degree proves you have completed graduate work. Private schools like to see that. Now, if you have additional subject qualifications, for example, in the aforementioned classics, include that as a secondary qualification. Competence in more than one subject will help your application stand out from other applications.
Do you have a teacher's certificate from any U.S. state? If you do, and it's from Virginia, that's a plus. Not having a teaching certificate probably won't keep you from getting the job, all things being equal, but understand that you will have to get the certificate as soon as possible. The school will most likely make that a condition of hire. The important thing to understand if you do not have teaching certification is that you must find the school's preferred route to earning that certification.
In this video, Professor Michelle Richards-Babb of West Virginia University offers some valuable tips on strengthening the presentation of your academic qualifications.
Math Teaching Experience
Let's get granular with the position's subject requirements. Have you taught all the required math courses at the AP level? This position needs an experienced teacher who knows how to achieve success in the different math disciplines. The school's reputation will be riding on your success or lack of it. Demonstrate your solid achievements in teaching a comprehensive high school math curriculum. Some private schools follow the International Baccalaureate curriculum. Unless that is advertised as such, assume that you will be teaching AP courses.
High School Teaching Experience
Now, let's look at your teaching experience. Have you taught in a high school? If you come from a college teaching background or a business, you must understand that you must inspire your students. High school students are not generally as mature as college students. They may think that they are, but in most cases, they are not. They need the inspiration, encouragement, and professional guidance you can give.
On the other hand, private school students go to private schools because they and their parents have committed to learning. You will find that your partnership with the school and the student will make teaching very satisfying, as it always is when everybody is on the same page.
Attitude
Next, let's discuss attitude. Are you set in your ways and unwilling to change how you teach your subject? Or do you constantly seek out new ways of doing things? Moving with the times and learning new tricks are characteristics that you must take care of, and you must list and point out in your resume. Private schools have integrated technology in the classroom for many years now. It is a prerequisite for most teaching positions. Be in the vanguard of using new technologies to present and enrich your lessons. The possibilities are endless.
The following short video is one of many helpful videos that Carney Sandoe offers on its YouTube channel.
Passion for Your Subject
Do you live, breathe and constantly think about math? Not just in your intellectual way, but in ways that will help young people be inspired and as passionate about math as you are? The fact that you can show young people that math is fun and exciting needs to be front and center in your resume.
Different Learning Styles
Children learn in many different ways. Being flexible and patient enough to circle back and help a student who doesn't understand quadratic equations is critical. This school will ask about that characteristic during your interview. However, it will look for evidence of embracing this vital qualification when it reviews your application materials.
Social Habits
If you can't wait to leave the classroom and repair your apartment and books, you probably won't fit in at this or most private schools. But suppose you can blend your time with time well spent in the school community coaching a team or supervising an extracurricular activity. In that case, you will be looked upon favorably as a leader and contributor to the well-being and life of the school community. The person who reads your application will be excited to learn that you are writing a book on lambda calculus at the same time as you are describing how much you love producing Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. These attributes can set you apart from the other candidates for the position.
Facility with Technology
Are you adept at using a whiteboard and a tablet and all the software that goes with those tools? Do you have Moodle? Blog? Use AI? If you aren't and don't, you better get with the program fast. That's where teaching is these days. It's virtually electronic. (Pun intended.)
Matching your qualifications to the job offered is one of the most essential parts of finding a new job. Make sure that the match is as ideal as you can make it.
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