An instructional coordinator designs and applies curricula for students in various settings. They are also known as curriculum specialists, personnel development specialists, instructional coaches, or directors of instructional material.
This article provides you with the basic information necessary to consider becoming an instructional coordinator: the job description, education and other requirements, 10-year employment outlook, and expected yearly earnings figures.
Job Description
Specifically, instructional coordinators develop curricula, select textbooks to accompany those curricula, train teachers, and assess educational programs for their effectiveness and adherence to the curricula. Instructional coordinators often have a specialty subject, such as secondary education or mathematics.
Instructional coordinators are often called into schools to evaluate how effective the current curriculum is and how well it is being taught to students. The instructional coordinator then presents his or her findings to the school administrators, faculty, and staff, along with recommendations for improvement.
Instructional coordinators also recommend materials such as textbooks and multimedia tools that work alongside the designed curriculum. Tools may include such things as books on tape for language classes or online databases for research courses.
Another aspect of being an instructional coordinator includes teacher training and mentoring. Instructional coordinators often take the lead in showing teachers how to use new programs, curriculum items, or learning tools. Instructional coordinators may also step in when the school is preparing to meet requirements for new state standardized testing.
Education and Other Requirements
Education
To become an instructional coordinator, an advanced degree in curriculum development and instruction is usually necessary, as well as a degree in the coordinator’s specialty, such as Spanish or chemistry.
Training and Licensure
Instructional coordinators must also often complete continuing education hours, usually in areas such as teacher instruction, new media, and teacher evaluation. The amount of hours and their subject are usually determined by the state in which the individual works.
Getting either a teacher or administrator license in the state in which you wish to work is almost always required if you choose to work in the public school system. Instructional coordinators in the public sector are also usually required to pass a background check. You should research the rules for the state in which you wish to work.
Instructional coordinators working in the private sector will not necessarily need a license, but a background as an educator is often a plus to potential employers.
10-Year Employment Outlook
The job market over the next 10 years will be favorable for qualified individuals seeking work as instructional coordinators. Job growth is expected to grow much faster than the average. Individuals with experience in math and reading curriculum development can look forward to the greatest number of job opportunities.
The demand for instructional coordinators is growing along with society’s increasing emphasis on providing quality education to students in the public school system. An increased interest in lifelong learning, as well as greater emphasis on providing good education to students with special needs, also create more job opportunities for instructional coordinators.
Earnings
The average yearly wage for instructional coordinators is about $57,000. The range is anywhere from $32,000 to $94,000 per year, and the middle ranges from $42,000 to $75,000. Instructional coordinators can advance to become higher-level administrators, or to enter managerial or executive positions in the private sector.