What Does An Instructional Coordinator Do?
Instructional coordinators are very important members of the educational community. Without them, it would be difficult to assess whether the quality of education in a particular district has improved or declined. Their focus is to ascertain whether schools are meeting teaching standards set by the government and that the curriculums are being implemented.
They also go further than merely checking implementation. They also determine if the curriculum is effective and still relevant to a rapidly changing world especially with the introduction of new technologies. If new computer programs and gadgets are going to be utilized in the classroom, they train teachers on their proper use. They also have to be constantly up-to-date on the latest technological advances that can be used the classroom.
In order to help teachers attain their goals of educating students, instructional coordinators conduct conferences and workshops for educators to train them on new teaching methods. They show how these new methodologies should be implemented in order to improve student performance. They also train teachers to effectively utilize new technologies in the classroom. They may also coach teachers so they can improve their teaching skills and become more effective when introducing topics to their students.
Instructional coordinators endeavor to meet the needs of students both inside and outside the classroom. They often observe teachers in action while they are in the classroom to determine how they interact with their students. They also look at students’ scores to see areas where they are weak and make the appropriate recommendations in these subjects.
Textbooks and educational materials are an important component in the learning process so instructional coordinators have to ensure that schools are using only the best ones. They review existing textbooks and determine if these are still relevant in attaining the objectives of the curriculum. If not, they recommend new ones. They may also play a role in developing instructional materials if necessary.
Instructional coordinators play a direct role in the development of school curricula because they can make recommendations about changes that need to be made to it to the school boards. They have to support their suggestions with proof, of course. The research they do in the schools, the interviews held with the school principals, teachers’ observations and students’ test data will serve to back up their recommendations. Aside from recommending changes in the curriculum, they may also suggest that teachers employ other teaching methods to maximize students’ learning.
Instructional coordinators have to attend meetings with members of school boards, principals and other members of the educational community. They may also travel to the various schools in the districts where they are assigned in order to observe teachers and students in the classroom. They also do a lot of writing, especially when making recommendations about new teaching methods and materials and changes in the curricula.
An education professional cannot just be an instructional coordinator. Aside from having a master’s degree in curriculum design or related field, employers typically require years of work experience as a teacher or principal. For instructional coordinators who will specialize in a specific subject such as math or English as a second language, experience in that subject is often a requirement.
Yet no matter what their field of specialization is, the goal of instructional coordinators in their work is to ensure that the educational system is responsive and well-suited to the needs of the students. They see to it that the teachers, principals and school staff provide children with an environment that is not only conducive to academic learning but to social and emotional development as well. Through their observation and research, they see to it that government standards are not only met but even exceeded if possible.
Instructional coordinators are looked upon as leaders in the educational sphere. They need to be firm when it comes following standards, strictly implementing the curriculum and training teachers in the use of new technologies and employment of new techniques. While they insist that everyone adheres to the standards, they still need to develop positive and healthy working relationships with other members of the school community so that work flows smoothly. For this to be possible, instructional coordinators need to have excellent interpersonal and communication skills as well.
Career Spotlight: Instructional Coordinator
If you want to work in an educational setting by helping improve teaching standards through curriculum planning and development then you can consider a career as an instructional coordinator. In this [...]
