Education Administrator

What an Education Administrator Does

Education administrators are important to the everyday and long-term success of educational institutions. Education administrators must be able to interact with people and communicate well as many of their duties require that they work closely with others in order to effectively achieve their goals. Education administrators are leaders within an educational community. They often manage daily operations in schools, universities, community centers, and other related organizations, such as museums or correctional facilities. Education administrators help these institutions set goals, and they establish policies that help these institutions meet those goals. In addition to their long-term planning responsibilities, education administrators also supervise personnel, such as teachers, coaches, counselors, librarians, and staff. They help faculty develop and implement curricula, they monitor students' performance, and they communicate with parents when appropriate. In short, education administrators work both behind the scenes and in the public eye so that teachers and students can have the best opportunities available to them.

How to Become an Education Administrator

Although a variety of different education administrator positions exist, the majority of these positions are gained through the applicant's having previously taught in the classroom. Typically, teachers move up through the ranks, assuming the role of administrator after years of experience in the classroom and receiving an advanced degree in education. Eligibility for these sorts of positions also depends upon the nature of the institution. In the public school system, applicants must also have been certified as school administrators, while private schools might have different requirements. To be an administrator in higher education, most often one must have an advanced degree in a related field and have experience as a professor before taking the position. In addition to various degree and licensing requirements, those who wish to work as education administrators should ideally show themselves to be strong leaders, good communicators, patient listeners, and confident decision-makers. Having a professional background in administration could improve one's chances at receiving a promotion to a well-paying administrative position.

Career Outlook for Education Administrators

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job growth for education administrators is expected to be 8 percent between 2008 and 2018. While this is in line with the average of all other industries, within the field of education it represents an excellent opportunity due to the growth of student populations in higher education and the retirement numbers of those who previously held such positions. While lower, middle, and high schools might see less growth among student populations, an increase in responsibilities that administrators will have to shoulder might lead to more job openings in those schools. In pre-K programs, growth is expected to increase dramatically as many states implement public school programs for very young children, thus creating a need for administrators in the area. In general, education administrators do well for their efforts. BLS reported that in May of 2008 the average median salary of preschool administrators was $39,940. Elementary and secondary administrators earned $83,880. Postsecondary administrators earned $80,670. These salaries will vary based on the locations, enrollments, sizes, and function of the institutions at which these administrators work, so keep in mind the various difference between each position despite the generally favorable outlook for this career.