An instructional coordinator is an education professional who focuses on improving the quality of education in the school or district he or she works for. Instructional coordinators are often hired in large schools where administrators want to make sure that students are not allowed to slip through the cracks. To become an instructional coordinator, it is usually necessary to have a master's degree and experience as a teacher or educational administrator.
The job description for an instructional coordinator can vary considerably, depending on where he or she works. As a general rule, these education professionals look after student welfare inside and outside the classroom, and identify areas in which students could be better served. The goal is to ensure that all children in a school or district have access to an education which will suit their needs, and that the district provides educational opportunities which meet or exceed government standards.
Instructional coordinators can develop or assist with the development of curricula, and they also typically play a role in the hiring and training process for new teachers. They review educational materials such as textbooks, educational software, and activities, making purchase recommendations or ordering materials for various classrooms. They may also work with teachers in the classroom to create a classroom environment which facilitates learning and exploration on the part of students so that students will be enthused about school.
Instructional coordinators are also very involved in the role of technology in the classroom. An instructional coordinator may work to get computers and other technology into the classroom, providing training for teachers, programs for students to use, and curricula which integrate technology. He or she can also evaluate a school's use of technology to determine whether or not technology is being utilized effectively and efficiently, and make recommendations for improvement.
Typically, an instructional coordinator is constantly evaluating the quality of education offered to students, from the private tutoring sessions held to help troubled students catch up on their work to large general education classes in which students of all abilities work together. The instructional coordinator routinely reviews instructional material to confirm that it is appropriate and accurate, and looks for areas of weak performance or concern which could be addressed by modifying the curriculum, providing teachers or students with more resources, or making policy changes which would promote student welfare. Instructional coordinators are also typically members of the committees which oversee educational policy and student welfare for the school.
