Instructional Coordinator

What an Instructional Coordinator Does

Instructional coordinators can also be called curriculum specialists, personnel development specialists, instructional coaches or directors of instructional material. They work for schools, both public and private, to assess and develop curricula, teaching aids and styles, textbooks, and other learning tools. They also work with school officials and teachers to implement new technologies and teaching strategies in the classroom. These professionals can also specialize in a particular subject, like reading, mathematics, science, or language arts. They should be excellent communicators, be able to think critically and analytically, and problem solve effectively. They should also demonstrate strong leadership and public speaking skills, as they might be called upon to train new teachers or even host learning seminars or workshops for school officials. Their ultimate goal is to train teachers and other school staff to provide the best possible education for students. Where they find discrepancies, it is their position to improve upon those areas that might be lacking.

How to Become an Instructional Coordinator

To become an instructional coordinator, one must obtain a bachelor's degree from an accredited university in a specific subject area, like mathematics, reading, or language arts, or in general education. Many school districts will also prefer candidates that possess a graduate degree or higher. These professionals are required to become licensed by their respective states in order to work in the public school system. Licensing requirements will vary by state, however, and can include earning a teaching license or an educational administrator license. As such, many instructional coordinators work for several years as teachers or vice principals before entering this profession. Whichever license is require, all instructional coordinators should have experience in curriculum development and instruction, or extensive experience in the subject area of their choosing. It is also very common for schools to require their instructional coordinators to participate in continued education courses to stay abreast of the latest educational technologies, trends, and materials.

Career Outlook for Instructional Coordinator

The future employment outlook for this profession is extremely positive. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that it will grow much faster than the average career at a rate of 23 percent by 2018. In total, the country will see around 31,000 instructional coordinator positions created during that time. The subjects that will see the greatest growth include reading, mathematics, and science, thanks in part to the No Child Left Behind Act, which targeted these subjects for national improvement. The annual salary for these professions will vary based on their employer, geographic location, and experience level. The median salary in 2008, however, was $56,000, with the highest 10 percent of coordinators earning around $90,000 per year. Roughly 70 percent of these professionals work in public and private educational facilities, while the remaining 30 percent work in state and local government, family services organizations, and child day care services.