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Secondary Teacher CV example

Secondary schools read a teaching CV for your subjects, the year levels and NCEA levels you've taught, your certification and what you add beyond the classroom. This secondary teacher example makes each of those clear on the first page.

Written for New Zealand, with notes for Australia · Checked

Free. Then compare it with a real Secondary Teacher job ad.

The example

A Secondary Teacher CV, start to finish.

Hannah Lindqvist is made up, and so are the employers. The layout and the wording are what New Zealand employers expect: no photo or date of birth, the most recent job first, and every bullet showing what was done and what came of it.

Hannah Lindqvist

Secondary Teacher, Science and Chemistry, Years 9 to 13

Christchurch · 027 555 0268 · hannah.lindqvist@email.com

Profile

Fully certificated secondary teacher with eight years teaching junior science and senior chemistry to NCEA Level 3, including the last five years in charge of chemistry. Plans practical, well-paced lessons, uses assessment data to lift results, and builds good relationships with students and whānau.

Skills

Junior science, Years 9 and 10 · NCEA chemistry, Levels 1 to 3 · Assessment and moderation · Practical work and lab safety · Differentiated teaching · Te reo Māori and tikanga in the classroom · Form class and pastoral care · Leading a subject area

Experience

Science Teacher and Teacher in Charge of Chemistry, Kōtuku College

Christchurch · 2021 to now

  • Teach Year 10 science and Year 11 to 13 chemistry across five classes, about 120 students
  • Lead chemistry across the department, setting the teaching programme and running internal moderation
  • Lifted the Level 2 chemistry pass rate from 71% to 84% over three years through targeted revision and practice assessments
  • Rewrote the Year 10 practical programme so every unit has a hands-on investigation
  • Form teacher for a Year 12 class, meeting with whānau each term

Science Teacher, Kea Valley College

Ashburton · 2018 to 2021

  • Taught Year 9 and 10 science and Level 1 chemistry
  • Completed induction and mentoring, moving from a provisional to a full (Tūturu) practising certificate
  • Ran the school's science fair entries, with two students placing at the regional fair

Education

Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Secondary), University of Canterbury

2017

Bachelor of Science, Chemistry, University of Canterbury

2016

Other details

Certification
Full (Tūturu) practising certificate, Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand
Safety checked
Yes, under the Children's Act

Referees

Two referees available, including my current principal

Hannah wrote a cover letter to go with it. Read the secondary teacher cover letter

Skills and keywords

What secondary teacher job ads look for.

Use the ad's own words where they're true of you. An ATS, and a recruiter skimming, both look for them.

  • Practising certificateSay whether it's full or provisional. Schools check it first.
  • SubjectsName your teaching subjects exactly, and the ones you could also teach at junior level.
  • NCEASay which levels you've taught and assessed. Senior classes are often the gap a school is filling.
  • ModerationShows you know how internal assessment is checked and kept fair.
  • Pastoral careForm class and wellbeing roles matter to schools as much as subject teaching.
  • Te reo MāoriAds often ask how you bring te reo and tikanga into your classes.
  • Co-curricularSport, cultural groups and competitions show what you'd add to the school.

Bullet points

9 strong lines to borrow from.

Each says what was done, how, and what came of it. Swap in your own facts: a line is only strong if it's true.

  1. 1Taught Year 10 science and Year 11 to 13 chemistry to about 120 students
  2. 2Led chemistry across the department, setting the teaching programme and running internal moderation
  3. 3Lifted the Level 2 chemistry pass rate from 71% to 84% over three years
  4. 4Rewrote the Year 10 practical programme so every unit has a hands-on investigation
  5. 5Met with whānau each term as form teacher for a Year 12 class
  6. 6Coached two students to placings at the regional science fair
  7. 7Mentored a provisionally certificated teacher through their first two years
  8. 8Ran lunchtime NCEA catch-up sessions before each assessment
  9. 9Wrote the department's lab safety induction for new staff and students

Common mistakes

What costs secondary teacher CVs interviews.

  • Leaving out your subjects and levels.

    Put your subjects and the year and NCEA levels you've taught in your headline or profile.

  • No results.

    Show one or two changes in achievement, such as pass rates, merit and excellence rates, or engagement in a class.

  • Ignoring life outside the classroom.

    Add your form class, sports teams, cultural groups or trips. Schools hire for the whole school, not just a subject.

  • Leaving out your certification status.

    Say whether your practising certificate is full or provisional, and that you're safety checked.

New Zealand and Australia

What changes across the Tasman.

New Zealand

Teachers in New Zealand must be registered with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand and hold a current practising certificate, which is renewed every three years.

New Zealand CV format

Australia

In Australia, teacher registration is granted by the regulatory authority in each state and territory, usually starting as provisional and moving to full registration. Australian employers usually say resume rather than CV, and expect about two pages.

Australian CV format

Sources: Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand: types of practising certificates, AITSL: teacher registration in Australia.

FAQ

Questions, answered.

Something else on your mind? Email support@smartcvs.ai and a person will reply.

Should I list every class I've taught?

No. Summarise by subject and level, such as "Year 9 and 10 science, NCEA Level 1 to 3 chemistry", and keep the detail for your strongest classes.

How do I show NCEA results without overclaiming?

Give a clear figure you can explain, such as a pass rate over several years, and say what you did to help. Keep it to your own classes.

Can I teach a subject I didn't major in?

Often at junior level. Say which subjects you're able to teach and what study or experience backs them.

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