Teacher Resignation Letter Examples

Illustration of computer on a desk with plant

Alison Czinkota / The Balance

If you're a teacher who is ready to resign, you may be wondering about your next steps. Who do you notify when you leave a teaching position? And what's the best way to share that you'll be departing your role? 

Along with informing school administrators and the principal, you'll want to send a resignation letter to the school administration. In addition, you may want to inform parents, especially if you have tenure with the school or are leaving during the school year. 

Use different resignation letters for these situations and recipients. Your message to the principal may be different from your letter to parents. 

Be sure to inform school administrators before you contact parents about your resignation—they may have specific guidelines for contacting parents. The administration may want to provide an explanation as to why you're leaving the job. They may opt not to notify parents if you're finishing up the school year prior to ending employment.

Here's what to keep in mind as you resign from your role as a teacher. 

What to Include in Your Resignation Letter

Regardless of the reasons for your resignation, keep the tone of your letter positive, upbeat, and encouraging. That's particularly important in your correspondence with parents. Make sure to emphasize the positive nature of the change for their children and the school while expressing your enthusiasm for a new chapter in your career.

Your letter to the administration should be more direct, but equally professional and positive.

Remember that how you resign can influence the quality of any references or endorsements you may need down the line in your career if you need to find a new teaching job.

Do not use your resignation letter to vent or complain. Your goal is to maintain a professional relationship, not burn your bridges. Indeed, you don’t really need to list any reasons for your departure.

Resignation Letter Examples for Teachers

You can use this sample as a model to write a resignation letter. Download the template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online), or take a look at the text version here: 

teacher resignation letter sample

Resignation Letter Sample for a Teacher

You may wish to use this example of a teacher resignation letter for inspiration for writing your own letter. This example is suitable for sending to the superintendent of a school district, with a copy of the letter going to the school principal.

Brittney Pettes
123 Main Street
Business City, NY 54321

February 15, 2022

Eleanor Acorn
Superintendent
Kakuro Central Schools
123 Business Rd.
Business City, NY 54321

Dear Ms. Acorn,

Please accept my resignation from my position as a fourth-grade teacher at Kakuro Elementary School. My last day will be March 15, 2022.

My students have given me great pleasure over the years, and the administration has been very supportive during my tenure with the school district.

I wish you all the best. If I can be of any assistance to you during the remainder of the term, please let me know.

Sincerely yours,

Signature (hard copy letter)

Brittney Pettes

cc: David Sterns, Principal, Kakuro Elementary School

Letter of Resignation Sample From Teacher to Parents

Use this resignation letter sample to let the parents of your students know that you are resigning. This letter includes information on the transition and your plans for informing the class when you’ll be leaving.

Laurie Jones
123 Main Street
Anytown, CA 12345
555-555-5555
laurie.jones@email.com

April 6, 2022

Dear Parents:

Please accept this letter as my regretful resignation from my position as a fourth-grade teacher at Lake Harkin Elementary. In just over a month, I will be taking a few years off to work with the Peace Corps. I have always been very passionate about volunteering, and through the program, my next opportunity will be taking me to Sri Lanka. I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching your children, and I look forward to the good I’ll be able to do overseas.

Ms. Michelle Warren will be replacing me as your children’s new teacher. She is a qualified, tenured teacher with an immense amount of elementary education experience, so I have no doubt that she is a perfect fit for the job.

In the coming weeks, the school will send out more information regarding the change and sign-ups for parent-teacher meeting dates so that you will all be able to meet her. I will be introducing her to your children on Wednesday of this week. During this transition, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. My phone number is still my mobile phone, at (555) 555-5555.

I cannot thank you enough for the joy your children have given me this year. Working at LHE has been an incredible experience, and I will always look back on my years here with fond memories. Thank you for the opportunity to teach your children, and I do hope you will stay in touch. I am excited to learn about all the amazing things they will do in the future.

Sincerely,

Signature (hard copy letter)

Laurie Jones

Sending a Resignation Email

When you are sending your letter by email, include the reason you are writing in the subject line of your message:

Subject: Jane Doe – Resignation

List your contact information in your signature, rather than in the body of the letter:

Sincerely,

Jane Doe
jane.doe@email.com
555-555-5555

Key Takeaways

· You may need to send a resignation letter to the principal, as well as other key administrators at the school or school district. 

· Make sure to follow guidelines from the school or school district when communicating with parents. There may be set protocols for what to tell them, and when. 

· Resignation letters should be professional, conveying key facts (such as your last day teaching). There is no need to get personal with the reasons for your departure.