What is the Role of an Instructional Coordinator?

If you’re like most people, you’ve probably said, at some point, that you wish you could be in charge of how schools are run and what children are taught at school, which is exactly what an instructional coordinator does. If this type of challenging career appeals to you, read below to find information about the role of an instructional coordinator.

What is an Instructional Coordinator & What Do They Do?

Have you ever looked at your child’s school curriculum and wondered, “who thought of that?” The answer is probably an instructional coordinator because that’s exactly what instructional coordinators do. They also communicate with teachers and school administrators to find ways to improve lessons and instruction.

Instructional coordinators play a large part in the implementation of a school’s curriculum and educational programs. However, they do not work directly with students. They observe how teachers do their jobs and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses while showing them new instructional methods. Instructional coordinators also mentor teachers and assist them in developing curriculum and training them in implementation of it. They also review software and textbooks and ensure that teachers’ goals for students are being met.

Although most instructional coordinators work in elementary, middle and high schools, some also work in colleges and at government jobs. According to U.S. News & World Report, becoming an instructional coordinator is often an ideal career for an individual who wants to retire from the classroom but still work in education.

What Does it Take to Become an Instructional Coordinator?

To become an instructional coordinator, one must hold a Master’s Degree in Education or a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and have spent significant time working in education (see: What Are Some Career Opportunities for Someone with an Educational Leadership Degree?) Working as a classroom teacher or superintendent is often the ideal type of experience.

To work in a public school system, an instructional coordinator may be required to have an appropriate teaching or administrative license. Students who wish to pursue careers as instructional coordinators often choose a degree in curriculum and instruction.Some of the courses students may take in this program include literacy and diversity; educational tests and measurements; educational research and statistics; curriculum theory and curriculum development. Students in this program may also choose to specialize in specific subjects like science or math.

What Is The Career Outlook for Instructional Coordinators?

The career outlook is very promising for instructional coordinators. With the current emphasis on improving students’ learning, schools and states are making teachers more accountable for how well a student learns and are promoting additional training for teachers. This bodes well for instructional coordinators as it puts them in great demand. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) predicts that instructional coordinators will see a thirteen percent growth in employment from 2012-2022. California is the state with the highest level of employment for this occupation. As of May 2013, these professionals earned an average annual wage nationwide of $60,610, according to BLS.

The role of an instructional coordinator can prove to be very challenging and demanding. However, it is also rewarding since instructional coordinators play an important role in shaping the minds of school children and trying to provide them with the best possible education.