Educational Specialist: Career, Job Duties, and Salary Information
It is a huge responsibility to educate the next generation. These are not tasks schools can afford to ignore. Many schools have educational specialists.
Schools can benefit from the expertise of educational specialists who work closely with students to maximize their progress. They might focus on students with learning disabilities or technology implementation in the classroom. They play an integral part in schools’ success in the 21st Century.
This guide will give you an overview of what it takes to be an educator specialist. It includes information about the education required, how to estimate the salary you can earn, and tips for maximizing your chances of success. You can read the entire guide or click these links to jump directly to a particular destination.
Education specialists at a glance
| Education | MA, EdD or EducationS |
| Median salary | $49,553 (PayScale.com) $48,289 (Salary.com) $56,395 (Indeed.com) $58,000 (Glassdoor.com) $73,223 (SalaryExpert.com) |
Education specialist job description
Teachers and administrators work together with educational specialists to adapt and redesign classroom organization, testing, and evaluation strategies. They are usually employed by public school districts, private schools, charter, and individual schools.
Educational specialists assess and make recommendations for improving curriculum planning, individual lessons, and teaching methods at one or several grade levels. They coordinate expectations and share progress with students’ parents/guardians and guidance counselors.
Senior-level education specialists are heavily involved in the creation of school-wide and course-wide curricula. Sometimes, they might work alongside school administrators to acquire textbooks and school supplies.
Most educational specialists work in schools, which includes classrooms and administrative meetings. Some school districts have a team of specialists that works in all their schools. This allows for students to travel between schools and meet with administrators and board members at night.
While this career is rewarding and satisfying, it will almost always require you to work 40 hours a week.
Particular responsibilities and duties vary from school to school. Educational specialists might also specialize in a particular area of education. Some educational specialists may focus only on students with special needs and others will work with gifted and talented students to create lesson plans and develop curriculum. Classroom technologies are also a focus of educational specialists.
The salary outlook for educational specialist
The annual salary for an education specialist is $48,289 (Salary.com), to $58,000 (Glassdoor.com). The school district and geographic location are important factors in determining the compensation rates.
Many school systems have begun to pay more attention to curriculum efficiency, teaching methods, and accountability measures due to high-stakes testing. This will lead to more schools having the funds to hire education specialists.
Remember that budgets for school districts vary greatly by region, state, and county. Districts with a good budget can employ more educators than their less well-off counterparts and share their work across fewer schools. This can make a big difference in the working conditions of educational specialists.
Who is a great educational specialist?
Someone who is:
- Attentive to details
- Service orientation
- Excellent at organizing and planning
- Sociable and empathic
- Expert in problem identification and brainstorming possible solutions
- Excellent in writing and oral communication, as well as presentations
- Comfortable working both independently and in collaboration
- Be careful about taking notes and preserving documentation
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Are you interested in working and traveling in diverse environments?
- Qualifications: A degree in curriculum and instructional or educational leadership
There are many types of educational specialists
If you are interested in becoming an educator specialist, it is important to choose an educational niche. These are the three most popular options for educational specialists.
Specialists in gifted-education
Schools can use gifted-education specialists to create programs that are more beneficial for their most talented and skilled students.
Continue reading for more information about gifted-education specialists
Special education specialists
Special education specialists create lesson plans and develop curriculum specifically for students with disabilities, such as intellectual or physical disabilities.
Continue reading for more information about special education specialists
Specialists in educational technology
To incorporate technology into the classroom, instructional technology specialists or educational technology specialists work with teachers and school administrators.
Continue reading for more information about education technology specialists
For specialists, professional development
You might consider joining an organization that is related to what you are interested in as a specialist in education technology.
Benefits of continuing education
An advanced degree, such as a master’s or doctorate in education or an educational specialist degree, is required to work in a school district.
Additional jobs available for education specialists
As educators, educational specialists can also be teachers, librarians, or instructional coordinators.
Teacher: Teachers can be made if they have a teaching credential, and a strong education background in the subject area they are teaching. Minimum requirements are a bachelor’s degree, as well as a teaching credential.
Librarian: Generally, a master’s degree is required in library science (MLS). A standardized test is required by some states for librarians.
Instructional Coordinator: Educational specialists can become instructional coordinators. A master’s degree in curriculum and instruction is required for instructional coordinators. They may also need a teaching license or administrator license.
You can become an academic advisor at the college/university or K-12 levels by obtaining a master’s degree.
Education consultant Educational specialists can be made education consultants help solve problems in schools and educational systems. An advanced degree in education is a must.
School principal You’ll need a master’s in education to become a school administrator. Many states require school administrators to also be licensed as public school principals.
Education administrator: You will need years’ experience and a master’s in education-related fields to become an educator administrator.
The best of the internet: Our favorite blogs, websites, and Twitter accounts for educational specialists
It is easy to find prominent educators through the internet. Below is a list with links to our top Twitter accounts and websites, in no particular order.