Everything You Need to Know About Being an Instructional Coordinator
Instructional coordinators play a crucial role in the education sector. Sometimes called curriculum specialists or curriculum developers, instructional coordinators are responsible for developing and implementing educational programs, ensuring that they meet state and federal standards, and that the curriculum is up-to-date with the latest educational research.
Examples of Job Duties
Instructional coordinators may work in elementary, middle, or high schools, or even at the district level – overseeing multiple schools and developing programs that align with the district’s goals. Depending on the specific position, an instructional coordinator’s job duties may include:
- Designing and developing curriculum objectives, course materials, methods of instruction, and assessments
- Conducting needs assessments to determine what programs are necessary and what areas need improvement
- Assisting teachers in developing and implementing lesson plans and teaching strategies
- Collaborating with principals, district-level administrators, and other educators to develop policies and programs that support students’ academic success
- Providing professional development to teachers, administrators, and other educational staff
- Evaluating the effectiveness of educational programs, using student performance data to identify areas that need improvement
Education and Training Requirements
To become an instructional coordinator, you typically need a master’s degree in education or a related field, such as curriculum and instruction. Some positions may also require a teaching certificate or licensure in your state. Additionally, instructional coordinators need to have experience as a teacher or in some other educational role, as well as strong leadership skills, communication skills, and analytical abilities.
Progression and Advancement
Instructional coordinators may progress through their careers by taking on more responsibilities within their current role or by pursuing higher-level positions in education administration. Some coordinators become assistant principals or principals, while others may move into district-level roles such as director of curriculum and instruction or assistant superintendent for instruction.
Getting Started as an Instructional Coordinator
If you’re interested in becoming an instructional coordinator, there are several steps you can take to get started:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in education or a related field
- Gain experience as a teacher or in another educational role
- Earn a master’s degree in education or curriculum and instruction
- Obtain any required teaching certifications or licensure
- Seek out opportunities for additional professional development and leadership training
Conclusion
Instructional coordinators are an integral part of the education system, helping to ensure that students receive a high-quality education that prepares them for success in college and beyond. If you’re passionate about education and have strong leadership skills, this could be a highly rewarding career path to pursue.
Instructional coordinators are responsible for evaluating the curriculum, developing and implementing educational plans, and providing professional development to teachers. They work with teachers, principals, and other administrators to improve the education system and raise student achievement. The salary and job level data for this occupation is listed in the table below:
|Job Level|Salary (National Average) |
|——–|————————–|
|Entry |$50,606.40 |
|Intermediate|$79,060.80 |
|Experienced|$97,884.80 |
|Level 07 |$68,452.80 |
|Level 09|$78,499.20 |
|Level 10|$93,870.40 |
|Level 11|$96,324.80 |
|Level 12|$118,331.20 |
|Not able to be leveled|$67,433.60 |
|Union (All levels)|$89,419.20 |
|Non-union (All levels)|$67,974.40 |
|Full-time (All levels)|$73,632.00 |
|Time-based pay (All levels)|$72,696.00|
The above salary data is for instructional coordinators across the United States. On average, instructional coordinators earn $68,452.80 per year at level 07 and $118,331.20 per year at level 12. The entry-level salary is $50,606.40, and the experienced-level salary is $97,884.80. Instructional coordinators who are part of a union earn an average salary of $89,419.20, while those who are not unionized earn an average salary of $67,974.40.
Full-time instructional coordinators earn an average salary of $73,632.00 per year, and those who are paid on a time-based system earn an average salary of $72,696.00 per year.
The location also affects the salary of instructional coordinators. The geographic areas with the highest and lowest average salaries for instructional coordinators are listed below:
|Geographic Area|Salary (National Average)|
|———————-|—————————|
|Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA|$101,088.00|
|Southeast Coastal North Carolina nonmetropolitan area|$48,651.20|
The effects of unionization on the job of instructional coordinators vary depending on the school or district they work for. In some cases, unions can negotiate better salaries and benefits for their members, such as health insurance or retirement plans. However, in other cases, unions can make it difficult for administrators to make changes to the curriculum or staffing. Overall, whether unions have a positive or negative effect on the job of instructional coordinators depends on the specific circumstances of their workplace.
