How to Write an Autobiography

Sometimes when applying for educational positions at certain levels or in specific districts, you may be required to submit an autobiography. This is a document that allows you to recount events in your life that have shaped who you are and impacted your desire to teach. An autobiography is basically a concise summary of a person’s life. To write a successful document, you do not need to start off with “I was born in 1965 in Los Angeles, California”. You do not need to start right from the beginning. If you have come from another country you can always mention that and specify when you moved to North America, as this provides a good background as to how you developed your beliefs and practices, and demonstrates your willingness to change and adapt. If you cultivated a passion for teaching and education early on, mention that. Perhaps there was an outstanding teacher who encouraged you to take up the profession. This is also a good place to begin. However, some educators did not develop that love for teaching until later on in life, after obtaining other degrees or working in unrelated professions. If this the situation you find yourself in, start there, and explain how certain events changed your outlook and encouraged you to become an educator. As you can see, there really is no set formula for writing an autobiography. Begin the document with either where you grew up and how it shaped you, something influential from your childhood, or your post-secondary education, whether it is a formal degree or alternative certification. Include where you went for your higher education, what you took, and when you completed it. If the degree is directly related to education, you can mention specific courses that piqued your interest or drove you to establish certain teaching techniques or pursue a specific path (i.e. a Master’s Degree or becoming a Special Education Teacher). You can also mention if you are married, how many kids you have, their ages, and how they influence your drive to help other children, if applicable. Furthermore, your autobiography can contain brief accounts of difficult times in your life that have either made you a stronger person, changed your outlook on life, or influenced you to switch careers or become a teacher. Explain what you learned from these difficult situations and how you have become a better, more well-rounded person because of them. Your document should also include an account of your employment history up to this point. If you have taught at numerous schools you do not need to list each one. That is what your resume is for. Instead, provide a summary of the various teaching (or non-teaching) positions you have held. If you worked with one type of student more than any other, you may wish to highlight this, and express why you have chosen that sector of education. You may wish to conclude your document by mentioning your hopes and dreams, future careers moves, or goals you would like to accomplish while serving as an educator. Keep your autobiography to approximately one page (one full page preferably, depending on employer specifications), and make sure that you are truthful, do not add fluff or filler, and remain concise and non-repetitive.