If you’ve ever worked in the field in education, you know there are many career options available. There is a full team behind educators making the classroom run — and an instructional coordinator is an integral part of that team. What is an instructional coordinator, and what does the day-to-day look like? Get ready to take note: instructional coordinators make education possible at all levels. Use this guide to dive deeper into the role.
What Is an Instructional Coordinator?
An instructional coordinator is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs and materials. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), instructional coordinators also work with teachers to ensure instructional methods and materials are developmentally appropriate for each student. Instructional coordinators typically hold a master’s degree in education or a related field, per the BLS.
What Does an Instructional Coordinator Do?
With the foundation of what an instructional coordinator is, we can look at what the role involves and what a typical day in the life looks like — which will vary based on a number of factors. Career development site careerherd explains an instructional coordinator essentially paves the way for educators to do what educators do best: teach. Instructional coordinators assume several responsibilities that help make educating students run smoothly. Typical duties include:
- Developing curriculum
- Selecting instructional materials
- Conducting teacher training
- Observing classrooms
- Analyzing student data
- Developing and implementing assessment tools
Instructional coordinators play an important role in ensuring students receive a high-quality education by working to improve instructional methods and materials and providing support and guidance to teachers.
How To Become an Instructional Coordinator: Education Requirements
If you’re interested in becoming an instructional coordinator, you need a strong background in education and a passion for helping others learn. Some instructional coordinators may also be required to have a specialized bachelor’s degree in the area in which they hope to work. Next, the BLS explains a master’s degree in education or a related specialty such as curriculum and instruction is required to work in public schools.
Beyond the bachelor’s- and master’s-level education requirements, instructional coordinators in some states may be required to hold a teaching license to work in public schools. To ensure you meet the educational requirements to become an instructional coordinator, check with your state’s teaching and instructional coordinator guidelines.
Some instructional coordinator roles may also require teaching experience or school administration experience. Although requirements vary, instructional coordinators are typically expected to have related work experience in the discipline for which they will develop curriculum. For instance, an instructional coordinator creating curriculum in math is expected to have education and work-related experience within mathematics. With the right education, experience, and skills, instructional coordinators will succeed in their field.
What Skills Should an Instructional Coordinator Have?
Instructional coordinators need to have strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills. They must be able to effectively communicate with teachers, administrators, and other staff. Because instructional coordinators organize resources and develop plans for instruction, these skills are necessary for fulfilling responsibilities within the role. Furthermore, instructional coordinators must be able to provide leadership in developing and implementing curriculum. According to the BLS, it’s a good idea for instructional coordinators to work on developing the following:
- Communication skills
- Analytical skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Organizational skills
- Leadership skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Decision-making skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Time management skills
- Conflict resolution skills
- Creativity
- Flexibility
While soft skills often set the foundation – and may even help you land an interview as an instructional coordinator – there are some technical skills to consider brushing up on before you apply for jobs. These hard skills, largely in the realm of software and standard business systems, will set you apart from other candidates. O*NET Connector recommends an extensive list of skills for instructional coordinators. While the list is exhaustive, the more of these technical skills you can acquire, the more prepared you’ll be.
What Jobs Are Available for Instructional Coordinators?
Instructional coordinator jobs are available in a variety of settings — including public and private schools, colleges and universities, businesses, and even government agencies. Job board site Indeed shows just how broad a reach instructional coordinators have in education settings. Based on data from the BLS, 43% work in elementary and secondary schools (state, local, or private); 19% work in colleges, universities, and professional schools (state, local, or private); 7% work in education support systems (state, local, or private); and 7% work in government settings.
Instructional coordinators typically work full-time, although some may have part-time or flexible schedules. Many instructional coordinators work in offices, but some may travel to schools or other workplaces to observe instructors or meet with administrators, teachers, and other staff.
What Is the Salary of an Instructional Coordinator?
Because instructional coordinators can work in a variety of roles and settings, the salary varies greatly, too. Based on compensation findings from the BLS, the 2021 annual median salary for instructional coordinators was $63,740, or $30.64 hourly. In 2021, 205,700 instructional coordinator jobs were reported in the U.S. With a 7% growth rate for the role, the BLS anticipates approximately 15,000 more instructional coordinator jobs to become available by 2031.
What Are the Benefits of Being an Instructional Coordinator?
Having explored what an instructional coordinator is, does, earns, and more, let’s look into the career benefits they might expect to enjoy. Instructional coordinators clearly play an important role in the education process. They develop curricula, choose appropriate textbooks and other teaching materials, train teachers, and assess student learning. At a glance, following are key benefits of being an instructional coordinator:
1. You can make a difference in the lives of students
Instructional coordinators have the opportunity to help make a difference in students’ lives by impacting the curriculum and lesson plans upon which their learning is built. They help design educational programs that can have a positive impact on students’ academic performance and future success.
2. You get to work with other dedicated professionals
Instructional coordinators typically work with dedicated professionals in the field of education who are committed to helping students achieve their potential. Education can be a very gratifying and inspiring work environment.
3. There are a variety of job duties
Instructional coordinators often have a great deal of variety in their jobs. They may develop and implement curriculum, select textbooks, train teachers, monitor student progress, and more. The variety can make the job both challenging and interesting.
4. The job prospects are good
Since the demand for instructional coordinators is expected to grow at about an average rate (7%) in the coming years, plenty of job opportunities will be available for qualified educators and administrators.
5. The salary is competitive
The median annual salary for this occupation is currently more than $60,000, allowing instructional coordinators to earn a good living while doing work they find personally rewarding.
If you’re looking for a career that is both personally satisfying and professionally rewarding, you may want to consider becoming an instructional coordinator. With a growing demand for qualified instructional coordinators, good job prospects, and competitive salaries, this could be an excellent and beneficial career choice.
Overview of Instructional Coordinators
Instructional coordinators oversee school curriculums and teaching standards. They develop instructional materials, coordinate implementation with teachers and principals, and assess effectiveness. Many instructional coordinators work in elementary and secondary schools, while some work in postsecondary institutions.
Instructional coordinators typically have a master’s degree in education or a related field, and some states may require instructional coordinators in public schools to have a teaching license. For those interested in furthering the field of education and creating curriculum for developing minds, an instructional coordinator is a great career path with strong growth potential.
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