What Do Instructional Coaches Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for instructional coaches?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what instructional coaches do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Instructional Coaches Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about instructional coaches by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Instructional Coaches develop instructional material, coordinate educational content, and incorporate current technology into instruction in order to provide guidelines to educators and instructors for developing curricula and conducting courses. May train and coach teachers. Includes educational consultants and specialists, and instructional material directors.
Popular Job Titles For Instructional Coaches
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Instructional Designers
- Education Specialists
- Education Coordinators
- Learning Specialists
- Curriculum Specialists
- Instructional Systems Designers
- Learning Experience Designers
- Instructional Specialists
- Curriculum Coordinators
- Special Education Coordinators
- Clinical Education Specialists
- Curriculum Developers
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for instructional coaches can be found.
Best Industries for Instructional Coaches
Instructional Coaches Jobs By Industry
- Education and Hospitals (Local Government): 40.4%
- Education and Hospitals (State Government): 11.5%
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools: 8.4%
- Educational Support Services: 7.8%
- Elementary and Secondary Schools: 7.7%
- State Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals: 4%
- Other: 20.2%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of instructional coaches can be found working in the Education and Hospitals (Local Government) sector. In 2023, about 40.4% of all jobs for instructional coaches were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Education and Hospitals (State Government) (11.5%), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (8.4%), Educational Support Services (7.8%), Elementary and Secondary Schools (7.7%) and State Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals (4%).
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for Instructional Coaches
Develop the knowledge and skills you need to become an outstanding middle or high school teacher in Ohio with Franklin’s Adolescent to Young Adult (AYA) Education program.
- Class Type: Online coursework
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Master the learning theories and models used in PK-12 education settings as a foundation for a variety of education-related careers.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Gain the expertise to help students learn and think in classrooms across Ohio with Franklin’s Middle Childhood Education (MCE) program.
- Class Type: Online coursework
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Achieve your goal of becoming a life-changing elementary school teacher in Ohio with Franklin’s Primary Education program.
- Class Type: Online coursework
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Focus your online doctoral program at Franklin University and earn an Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction (Doctor of Education in Instructional Design Leadership).Focus your online doctoral program at Franklin University and earn an Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction (Doctor of Education in Instructional Design Leadership).
- Years To Complete: 3
Focus your online doctorate in educational technology at Franklin University and earn an Ed.D. Instructional Technology degree (Doctor of Education in Instructional Design Leadership).
- Years To Complete: 3
- Class Type: 100% online
- Years To Complete: 3
Learn proven strategies for designing effective training materials and apply them in real-world case studies and projects.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 8
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Do Instructional Coaches Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what instructional coaches do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work instructional coaches do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that instructional coaches tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for instructional coaches, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Instructional Coaches
Based on 57,346 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Instructional Coaches
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Instructional Design | 16,158 | 28% |
| Curriculum Development | 11,384 | 20% |
| Learning Management Systems | 10,120 | 18% |
| Project Management | 9,149 | 16% |
| Adult Education | 8,445 | 15% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Instructional Coaches
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 26,003 | 45% |
| Teaching | 18,776 | 33% |
| Leadership | 15,595 | 27% |
| Writing | 15,495 | 27% |
| Management | 14,135 | 25% |
Based on 57,346 job postings related to instructional coaches, instructional design was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 28% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for curriculum development, learning management systems, project management, adult education and educational technologies were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communication was the most desired skill found in job postings for instructional coaches, followed by teaching, leadership, writing, management and research.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Instructional Design | 16,158 | 28% |
| Curriculum Development | 11,384 | 20% |
| Learning Management Systems | 10,120 | 18% |
| Project Management | 9,149 | 16% |
| Adult Education | 8,445 | 15% |
| Educational Technologies | 7,504 | 13% |
| Special Education | 5,206 | 9% |
| Marketing | 4,034 | 7% |
| Pedagogy | 3,974 | 7% |
| Lesson Planning | 3,401 | 6% |
| Student Services | 3,225 | 6% |
| Data Analysis | 3,169 | 6% |
| Camtasia Studio | 3,033 | 5% |
| Blended Learning | 3,022 | 5% |
| Articulate Storyline | 2,909 | 5% |
| Instructional Strategies | 2,876 | 5% |
| Adult Learning Principles | 2,863 | 5% |
| Individualized Education Programs (IEP) | 2,772 | 5% |
| Storyboarding | 2,717 | 5% |
| Continuous Improvement Process | 2,680 | 5% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 26,003 | 45% |
| Teaching | 18,776 | 33% |
| Leadership | 15,595 | 27% |
| Writing | 15,495 | 27% |
| Management | 14,135 | 25% |
| Research | 13,062 | 23% |
| Planning | 12,768 | 22% |
| Coordinating | 9,286 | 16% |
| Microsoft Office | 8,970 | 16% |
| Problem Solving | 8,879 | 15% |
| Presentations | 8,817 | 15% |
| Innovation | 8,751 | 15% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 8,028 | 14% |
| Customer Service | 7,820 | 14% |
| Operations | 7,810 | 14% |
| Detail Oriented | 7,553 | 13% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 7,242 | 13% |
| Organizational Skills | 7,198 | 13% |
| Microsoft Excel | 7,137 | 12% |
| Coaching | 6,751 | 12% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Instructional Coaches
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Instructional Designers | 12,150 | 28.2% |
| Education Specialists | 4,152 | 9.7% |
| Education Coordinators | 2,603 | 6.1% |
| Learning Specialists | 2,279 | 5.3% |
| Curriculum Specialists | 1,847 | 4.3% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was instructional designers, with 5,220 unique job postings. Education specialists were second, with 1,119 postings, followed by education coordinators, learning specialists and curriculum specialists.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to instructional coaches.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Instructional Designers | 12,150 | 28.2% |
| Education Specialists | 4,152 | 9.7% |
| Education Coordinators | 2,603 | 6.1% |
| Learning Specialists | 2,279 | 5.3% |
| Curriculum Specialists | 1,847 | 4.3% |
| Instructional Systems Designers | 2,190 | 5.1% |
| Learning Experience Designers | 1,645 | 3.8% |
| Instructional Specialists | 2,194 | 5.1% |
| Curriculum Coordinators | 1,871 | 4.3% |
| Special Education Coordinators | 1,413 | 3.3% |
| Clinical Education Specialists | 1,438 | 3.3% |
| Curriculum Developers | 1,336 | 3.1% |
| Instructional Design Managers | 691 | 1.6% |
| Learning Designers | 695 | 1.6% |
| Instructional Support Specialists | 1,067 | 2.5% |
| Instructional Designers/Trainer | 1,274 | 3% |
| Instructional Facilitators | 1,869 | 4.3% |
| Directors of Curriculum and Instruction | 825 | 1.9% |
| Instructional Design Specialists | 699 | 1.6% |
| Curriculum Managers | 784 | 1.8% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for instructional coaches? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for instructional coaches.
How much do instructional coaches make?
Instructional Coaches: How do you become one?
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