How to Get the Right References

The strongest references for a master's in teaching application come from people who have seen you learn or work up close: professors who know your coursework, a cooperating or mentor teacher who watched you in a classroom, or a supervisor from a job or volunteer role that involved teaching or working with young people. Before you ask anyone, check how many recommenders each program wants, whether it asks for a particular kind of recommender and how letters are submitted.

Whether you're applying to an MAT or an M.Ed. program, the steps are the same: choose the right people, ask early, give them what they need, match your references to each program and follow up.

Cultivating references shouldn't be the last item on your list. Building good professional relationships is an ongoing part of a successful career, so if it isn't already part of your routine, start today.

1. Choose references who know your work: professors, mentor teachers and supervisors.

If you are going to enter the field of education, the first place to look for recommendations is former professors. Ideally, these should be people from within your particular discipline or from your undergraduate program's education department. Look first to professors with whom you have taken more than one class, as they will have the most to draw from in writing your letter.

You do not need to limit yourself to former professors, though. Other strong choices include your cooperating teacher from a practicum or student teaching placement, or a supervisor from an education-related job such as tutoring, coaching or an after-school program. If you're changing careers, a current supervisor who can speak to your reliability, communication and ability to explain things to others can round out an academic reference. Whoever you choose, aim for people who have seen different sides of you.

2. Ask each reference early and professionally.

Etiquette matters. The last thing you want to do is list someone as a reference and then not give them a heads-up. No one wants to get a call on a random Tuesday from an admissions office asking for an ad-hoc recommendation. Take the time to use a two-step approach. First, send your prospective reference an email asking for a short meeting or call to discuss whether they'll be able to recommend you. Then, meet with them and share some details about your academic and professional background and why you're applying.

Ask well before your earliest deadline. Several weeks of notice gives a busy professor or teacher time to write a thoughtful letter, and more notice is better near the end of a semester. Give them an easy way to say no, too: if someone hesitates, it's better to find another recommender than to receive a lukewarm letter.

A short request email can be as simple as this:

Dear Professor Lee, I'm applying to master's in teaching programs this fall, and I'd be grateful if you would consider writing a letter of recommendation for me. I took your adolescent development and classroom assessment courses, and my final project on formative assessment was a big part of why I decided to teach. Would you have 15 minutes in the next two weeks to talk about it? My first application deadline is in early December.

3. Give your references what they need to write a strong letter.

Without some specifics, your references will be left to work from memory, and after hundreds of students have passed through their classroom door, memory might not be the best option. The easier you make it for them, the more likely they are to write a strong, specific recommendation. Put together a short packet that includes:

An updated copy of your resume
A draft of your personal statement, or a few sentences on why you want to teach and what you plan to do after the program
A list of the programs you're applying to, with each deadline and how the letter is submitted, such as an online form or an email address
A reminder of the courses you took with them, your grades and any projects or moments you're proud of
Two or three qualities you'd like them to speak to, with a brief example of each

It is also a good idea to stay in touch after you ask. Connecting on LinkedIn is an easy way to keep the relationship current.

4. Use different references for different schools.

Everything about applying to graduate school revolves around targeting and personalization. Each school or program will expect you to focus your pitch on its priorities, and references are no different. Certain programs will regard some people as stronger references than others.

Match each recommender to what the program emphasizes. If you are applying to a program with a special education focus, a supervisor who has watched you work with students with disabilities can speak to exactly what that program cares about. If a program stresses classroom readiness, a cooperating or mentor teacher may be a stronger fit than a professor. If it is research-oriented, a professor who supervised your writing or research may be the better choice. It is all about anticipating what the admissions committee needs to know about you.

5. Follow up and say thank you.

If your application portal shows when a recommendation arrives, check it a few days before the deadline. If it doesn't, a polite reminder email is fine. Once a letter is in, thank the person by email, card or phone call. When you hear back from programs, let your recommenders know where you were accepted and which program you chose.

So remember, building your professional network is something you should start doing early. These contacts will not only help you get into the graduate program of your choice, but they may also be the people you turn to when you apply for teaching jobs and build your teaching career.

Frequently asked questions about references

Can a teacher or professor be a professional reference?

Yes, as long as they can speak to how you work and not just your grades: your reliability, writing, collaboration or growth over time. For a master's in teaching application, a professor or a cooperating teacher who watched you in a classroom is a natural choice. For a job application that asks for professional references, a professor or supervising teacher can fill that role when you have limited work history. The University of Iowa Pomerantz Career Center, for example, lists professors and academic instructors among the people to consider in its guidance on choosing references. Once you have a recent supervisor, though, that person is usually the stronger choice.

Who should you not ask to be a reference?

Skip family members and friends, even if they work in education, because they can't speak objectively about your academic or professional work. Also think twice about asking a well-known professor who barely knows you. A detailed letter from someone who knows your work well is more useful than a vague one from a big name.

What's the difference between a reference and a letter of recommendation?

A reference is someone a program or employer may contact about you, while a letter of recommendation is a written endorsement that person prepares. On a graduate application, the two often overlap, because your references are the people who write your letters or complete recommendation forms. Read each program's instructions to see what it asks your recommenders to submit.

What if you've been out of school for several years?

You can still ask a former professor. Reintroduce yourself, remind them which courses you took and what work you did, and send the same packet described above. If you no longer have a strong academic contact, a supervisor from your current job can speak to skills that matter in teaching, such as communication, organization and working with others. If you're unsure whether a program will accept a professional reference in place of an academic one, ask its admissions office.