Arriving at your office at about 9 a.m., you settle in to review the three textbook options the state will allow. At 3 p.m., you train a school's teachers on how to use the new online, multicultural curriculum, which is tied to the state's new standards. This is a typical day of instructional coordinators.

Instructional coordinators--also known as curriculum specialists, personnel development specialists, instructional coaches, or directors of instructional material--play a large role in improving the quality of education in the classroom. They develop curricula, select textbooks and other materials, train teachers, and assess educational programs for quality and adherence to regulations and standards. They also assist in implementing new technology in the classroom.

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics the median annual wages of instructional coordinators in May 2008 were $56,880. The middle 50 percent earned between $42,070 and $75,000.

Instructional coordinators should have training in curriculum development and instruction or in the specific field for which they are responsible, such as mathematics or history. Students majoring in elementary foundations who are interested in course design and research studies will find fulfillment and great career opportunities in this position.

This is a pleasant job because you avoid many of teaching's in-the-trenches frustrations yet feel you're helping people to grow. Also, in reviewing and evaluating curriculum and instruction, you're learning new things all the time.

Additional Resources
30 Best Careers 2009
Instructional Technology Coordinator License