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High School Teacher Resume Example

Professional High School Teacher resume example with ATS-optimized template. Learn how to showcase subject expertise, AP course experience, and student achievement data to secure competitive teaching positions.

Last Updated: 2026-02-08 | Reading Time: 8-10 minutes

Quick Stats

Average Salary
$48,000 - $82,000
Job Growth
1% projected through 2032
Top Hiring Companies
KIPP, Teach For America, BASIS Charter Schools

High School Teacher Resume Example

James Okafor

james.okafor@email.com

(555) 629-3310

Atlanta, GA

linkedin.com/in/jamesokafor

Skills

AP Curriculum Design
Document-Based Instruction
Turnitin
Google Workspace
Canvas LMS
Pear Deck
EdPuzzle
NWEA MAP Testing

Certifications

Georgia Professional Teaching Certificate (6-12 Social Studies)
AP U.S. History Certified Instructor
National Board Certification - Adolescence & Young Adulthood

Education

Master of Arts in Teaching - Social Studies Education
Emory University
2017

Profile

Results-oriented High School History Teacher with 7+ years of experience teaching AP and Honors courses. Achieved 85% AP exam pass rate, consistently exceeding national averages. Experienced in developing rigorous, inquiry-based curricula that prepare students for college-level critical thinking and analytical writing.

Professional Experience

AP U.S. History & Government Teacher
Peachtree Ridge High School Atlanta, GA
August 2020 - Present
  • Taught AP U.S. History and AP Government to 150+ students annually, achieving 85% AP exam pass rate compared to 53% national average
  • Developed inquiry-based curriculum integrating primary source analysis and Socratic seminars, resulting in 25% increase in student essay scores
  • Served as Social Studies Department Chair, leading 8 teachers in curriculum alignment and instructional strategy development
  • Sponsored Model United Nations club with 45 active members, guiding 12 students to conference awards
World History Teacher
Decatur High School Decatur, GA
August 2017 - July 2020
  • Delivered world history instruction to 130+ students across regular and honors sections, maintaining 93% course completion rate
  • Created document-based question (DBQ) writing program that improved student analytical writing scores by 30%
  • Coordinated annual History Day competition, with 8 students advancing to state finals over 3 years

Why This Resume Works:

  • Quantified achievements with specific metrics
  • Keywords match common job descriptions
  • Clean, ATS-compatible formatting
  • Strong action verbs throughout

How to Write a High School Teacher Resume

Professional Summary

Highlight your subject area specialization, AP or Honors course experience, and student achievement data such as AP pass rates or test score improvements. Mention leadership roles like department chair if applicable.

Work Experience

Lead with student outcomes: AP pass rates, test score gains, college acceptance contributions. Show how you developed curriculum, used data to adjust instruction, and contributed to the broader school community through clubs or committees.

Skills Section

Organize by instructional skills, assessment tools, and technology platforms. High school resumes should emphasize subject matter expertise and college readiness preparation.

Action Verbs for High School Teachers

InstructedDevelopedFacilitatedAssessedMentoredLedDesignedEvaluatedCollaboratedSponsoredCoachedAnalyzedPresentedAdvocatedSupervised

High School Teacher Resume Keywords

These keywords appear most frequently in High School Teacher job descriptions. Include relevant ones in your resume:

Technical Keywords

AP CurriculumCollege ReadinessStandards-Based GradingInquiry-Based LearningSocratic SeminarDocument-Based QuestionsFormative AssessmentData AnalysisBackward DesignUDL

Industry Keywords

Secondary EducationCollege PreparatoryAdvanced PlacementHonors CoursesStudent EngagementExtracurricular AdvisingDepartment Leadership

Tools & Technologies

CanvasGoogle WorkspaceTurnitinPear DeckEdPuzzleNWEA MAPAP ClassroomInfinite CampusQuizizzAlbert.io

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not including AP exam pass rates or other student performance data

Always quantify: "Achieved 85% AP pass rate vs. 53% national average" is far more compelling than "Taught AP History"

Leaving out extracurricular and leadership contributions

Include club sponsorships, coaching, committee work, and department leadership. High schools value teachers who contribute beyond the classroom

Writing a resume that looks identical for every teaching position

Tailor your resume to each school by aligning with their mission, programs, and student demographics. Reference specific programs the school offers

High School Teacher Resume FAQs

How do I highlight AP teaching experience on my resume?

Create a clear connection between your instruction and student outcomes. Include AP pass rates, score distributions, and how your rates compare to national averages. Mention AP training workshops and your College Board certification.

Should I include coaching or club sponsorship on a teaching resume?

Absolutely. High schools value teachers who engage students outside the classroom. List coaching roles, club sponsorships, and committee memberships. Quantify participation and any awards or achievements your groups earned.

What makes a high school teacher resume different from an elementary one?

High school resumes should emphasize subject matter expertise, AP or Honors course experience, college readiness preparation, and departmental leadership. Elementary resumes focus more on developmental milestones and multi-subject instruction.

How important is National Board Certification on a resume?

National Board Certification is a significant differentiator. It demonstrates advanced teaching proficiency and commitment to the profession. Place it prominently in your certifications section. Many districts also offer salary supplements for board-certified teachers.

Do high school teachers need a master's degree?

While not always required for initial licensure, a master's degree is increasingly expected and often required for salary advancement. Many states require a master's within the first 5 years of teaching. List your degree prominently and note any subject-specific coursework.

Ready to Optimize Your High School Teacher Resume?

Our AI-powered resume analyzer will score your resume against ATS systems, find missing keywords for High School Teacher roles, and give you specific improvement suggestions.

Last updated: 2026-02-08 | Written by JobJourney Career Experts