How To Write a Biology Teacher Resume (With Example)

Updated 26 December 2022

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As part of their job search application, biology teachers often submit a resume that emphasises their professional history, skills and credentials. An effective resume can show a hiring manager that you have the right level of experience and set of skills to succeed in the position. Learning about how to prepare an effective resume for a biology teacher position can increase your chances of getting a job. In this article, we outline the steps for how to write a biology teacher resume, provide a resume template and offer an example resume to help you prepare your application.

How To Write A Biology Teacher Resume

Follow these steps to write an effective biology teacher resume:

1. Read all job listings carefully

Make sure to read the job listings thoroughly for all positions for which you want to apply. By reading the job listing, you can learn about what qualities the hiring manager expects in their ideal candidate. For example, if the hiring manager expresses a need for an experienced biology teacher who emphasises classroom projects and experiments, you can write a resume that shows your level of experience and preference for using hands-on learning strategies. Using your application materials to match your strongest and most relevant skills and experiences can show the hiring manager that you are well-suited for the job.

2. Format an outline

Before you start writing your resume, create an outline or use a resume template. Having an outline is helpful because it allows you to organise the sections of your resume. It also helps ensure you do not forget to include any important sections. During this step of the writing process, make decisions about how to format your resume. For example, use consistent formatting strategies, like using the same font style and size throughout the document. Having an outline can make the writing process more efficient because it means you only fill in each section as you write.

3. Include your contact details

In the header of the resume, include your contact information. Add details like your name, email address, city and state of residence and phone number. Providing this information at the top of the resume makes it easy to find. When the hiring manager can quickly identify and access your contact details, it may make them more likely to contact you with questions or to schedule an interview.

4. Write a professional summary

Add a professional summary near the top of your resume. A professional summary is a short statement, typically one to two sentences long, that describes your level of experience in the field and addresses your key skills. If you have many years of experience working as a teacher, use your summary to state how many years of experience you have. Also, describe some of your strongest or most relevant skills. Putting these details in your professional summary makes them easy for the hiring manager to review, particularly if you have many years of experience and an extensive work history.

Having a professional summary is also important for freshers or those with little direct field experience. A professional summary is a great opportunity to express enthusiasm, show your willingness to learn and address any transferrable skills you have. For example, if you are a fresher but worked as a tutor while completing your education, you can use your summary to explain the teaching skills you gained through tutoring.

5. Outline your work history

Include a section to detail your work history. This is one of the most important sections on a resume because it tells the hiring manager about your professional experience. In this section, add two to three of your most recent or relevant job positions. For each entry, provide information like your official job title, the name of the place in which you worked, its location and your dates of employment. Also, add a list of three to five bullet points explaining your key responsibilities in each role.

When discussing your responsibilities, try to start each point with an active verb. An active verb makes your writing more concise while conveying what skills you applied to succeed in each position. When possible, try to quantify your achievements. For example, talk about your average class sizes in your previous positions. Another option is to talk about how much you improved the test scores of your students.

6. Add a list of skills

Provide a list of skills on your resume. Biology teachers often use both hard and soft skills in their roles, so it is important to include a combination of both. For example, biology teachers use soft skills like communication and time management to deliver successful lectures and manage their classrooms. They may also have technical skills, like knowledge of specific teaching strategies, and extensive knowledge of biology. Here are some skills to consider including on a resume for a biology teacher:

Critical thinking
Leadership
Teamwork
Organisation
Classroom management
Curriculum design
Laboratory safety
Science curriculum

7. Document your education

Add a section to show that you have the right educational credentials for the job. Most teachers have a bachelor's degree in teaching or a related subject. For example, you may have a degree in biology and additional teacher training, or you may have a degree in education. Having a section to show your educational credentials is important for showing you have the right educational background to qualify for a teaching position.

In this section, list your highest or most recent degree. State the name of the institution along with its city and state. If you graduated within the last three years, also provide a date of completion.

8. List your professional certifications

If you have any professional certificates, add a section to list them on your resume. Professional certifications can show that you have specific skills that add value to your candidacy. For example, having a certificate in curriculum design, educational leadership or classroom management may show that you have additional training that makes you qualified to work as a teacher. When including professional certifications, list the name of the certificate and the institution through which you earned it. Also, provide the year you earned it or its expiry date.

Related: Top Biology Interview Questions With Example Answers

Resume Template

Use this resume template to help you organise your own:

[First name] [Last name], [Degree or certification if applicable]
[Phone number] | [Email address] | [City], [State]

Professional Summary

[Two to three sentences that highlight years of experience, relevant skills, education or certifications and achievements as a professional.]

Experience

[Job title] | [Employment dates]
[Company name] | [City], [State]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

[Job title] | [Employment dates]
[Company name] | [City], [State]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

Skills

Education

[Degree and major], [Name of school or university]
[City], [State]

Optional

[Certification name], [Host organisation] - [Year completed or expiration date]

Resume Example

Here is a sample resume to guide you through preparing your job application:

Mahi Singh
+91 385 381 5733 | mahi.singh@email.com | Mumbai, Maharashtra

Professional Summary

Qualified Biology Teacher with over 10 years of professional experience seeking high school teaching position. Looking to apply skills in education leadership, classroom management and curriculum design to educate students in biology and the scientific method.

Experience

Biology Teacher | September 2017–Current
Blue Skies Science High School | Mumbai, Maharashtra

Educate students in biology and managed classrooms with up to 35 high school students
Prepare original lectures and presented them to classes to teach students about core competencies in biology
Create assignments, projects and exams to test student understanding and facilitate learning
Oversee laboratory work to ensure student safety and assist students in performing simple experiments
Facilitate the school biology club by working with student club leaders to plan activities, gain funding and attend relevant events

Biology Teacher | September 2012–June 2017
Green Hills Academy of Science | Mumbai, Maharashtra

Delivered educational lectures to classrooms with up to 25 students to educate them in biology and science
Worked with students before and after school as needed to support their learning, answer their questions and ensure they met all standards in science
Collaborated with other science teachers to develop lessons, assignments and activities to promote student learning