What is a teacher's character reference letter?

A teacher's character reference letter is a letter written by a teacher on behalf of someone applying for a job. It discusses the positive qualities of the job applicant and speaks from the point of view of the teacher, as opposed to a professional reference coming from a former employer.

Character reference letters discuss such qualities as loyalty, honesty, responsibility, flexibility and trust. They are typically written by someone who knows the job applicant well in a nonprofessional setting. These letters can be written by coaches, pastors, neighbors or teachers. The goal of a character reference letter is to provide a potential employer with a well-rounded perspective on the job applicant.