Dear Principal Martinez and Hiring Committee,
I'm applying for the 2nd-grade classroom position at Jefferson Elementary. I hold a Texas Standard Teaching Certificate, Grades EC-6, Core Subjects (expiration 2029), and I've spent the last four years in a Title I school teaching 2nd grade (22 students, 72% ELL, 38% with IEP accommodations) — a student population that closely matches Jefferson's demographics.
My 2024-25 class grew from 43% DIBELS Composite Benchmark at BOY to 78% at EOY, and I piloted the Illustrative Math rollout across our four-teacher grade team — NWEA Math RIT growth moved from +11 to +18, second-highest in the district for Grade 2. Beyond instruction, I co-wrote a $38k Title I parent-engagement grant that funded 14 family literacy nights reaching 180 families (renewed for 2025), and I served as 2nd-grade team lead coordinating Wit & Wisdom and Illustrative Math planning across four classrooms. I was school Teacher of the Year in 2024.
Jefferson's dual-language program and the district's public commitment to Wit & Wisdom implementation were the specific reasons I applied. I'd be especially excited to contribute to the grade-team curriculum planning and the family-engagement committee, where my current work transfers cleanly.
I'd welcome the chance to visit a 2nd-grade classroom at Jefferson and meet the grade team. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely, Ms. Carmen Gutierrez
