An instructional coordinator is a teacher who works to improve the educational quality of the school or district where he or she works. Instructional coordinators are frequently hired by administrators in large schools who want to ensure that students do not fall through the cracks. A master’s degree and experience as a teacher or educational administrator are usually required to become an instructional coordinator.
An instructional coordinator’s job description varies greatly depending on where he or she works. In general, these education professionals are responsible for the welfare of students both inside and outside the classroom, as well as identifying areas where students could be better served. The goal is to ensure that every child in a school or district receives an education that meets or exceeds government standards, and that the district provides educational opportunities that meet or exceed government standards.
Curricula can be developed or assisted in the development, and instructional coordinators are often involved in the hiring and training of new teachers. They evaluate educational materials such as textbooks, educational software, and activities, and then make purchase recommendations or place orders for various classrooms. They may also collaborate with teachers in the classroom to create an environment that encourages students to learn and explore so that they are enthusiastic about school.
Instructional coordinators are also heavily involved in the classroom’s use of technology. An instructional coordinator may work to bring computers and other technology into the classroom by providing teacher training, student programs, and technology-integrated curricula. He or she can also assess a school’s use of technology to see if it is being used effectively and efficiently, as well as make recommendations for improvement.
An instructional coordinator is usually constantly assessing the quality of education provided to students, from private tutoring sessions to help troubled students catch up on their work to large general education classes where students of all abilities work together. The instructional coordinator reviews instructional material on a regular basis to ensure that it is appropriate and accurate, as well as looking for areas of poor performance or concern that could be addressed by changing the curriculum, providing more resources to teachers or students, or making policy changes that would benefit students. Instructional coordinators are often members of committees that oversee the school’s educational policy and student welfare.