If you have a strong passion for education and learning, but do not necessarily want to teach in a classroom five days each week, then may want to consider becoming a curriculum developer. Also referred to as instructional coordinators, curriculum developers work behind the scenes to use their specialized skills in creating effective and developmentally appropriate curriculum that aligns with state standards. Since school districts are focused on improving teacher effectiveness and facilitating enhanced learning to raise students’ test scores, employment of curriculum developers is expected to grow by 13%, thus creating 18,500 new jobs over the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In order to determine whether this lesser-known education career is actually the ideal fit for your professional talents and abilities, the following is a glimpse at the job description for curriculum developers.
What Do Curriculum Developers Do
Curriculum developers are highly trained educational professionals who devote their career to creating the instructional materials that teachers use in the classroom to facilitate student learning. On the typical day in the life of a curriculum developer, they can be found coordinating the implementation of curriculum, evaluate teachers’ instruction, analyzing student test data, assessing education standards with school staff, recommending textbooks, and mentoring teachers on pedagogical strategies. Most curriculum developers will specialize in a certain area of education, such as elementary education, secondary education, literacy, mathematics, special education, and teaching English language learners. Some curriculum developers will also be involved in conducting teacher training conferences to introduce new learning standards and demonstrate effective teaching methods.
Where Do Curriculum Developers Work
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the majority (38%) of the 133,000 curriculum developers employed across the United States are working in public and private K-12 school environments. Curriculum developers may also find employment opportunities at universities, professional schools, government agencies, educational support services, and staff development programs. In most cases, curriculum developers will work with several public or private schools to ensure that all teaching material meets established standards. Curriculum developers spend a considerable amount of time meeting with school administrators, teachers, and other school support staff. Unlike teachers, curriculum developers typically work year-round without a summer break to prepare for the upcoming school year.
How to Become a Curriculum Developer
To begin a career in curriculum development, you will likely need to attend an accredited graduate school to receive a master’s degree related to education, according to Teachnology. Curriculum developers often decide to earn a Master of Education (M.Ed.) with a specialization in Curriculum and Instruction, Curriculum Design, Educational Leadership, or Instructional Technology. Some curriculum developers decide to receive a master’s degree in the subject they plan to specialize in, such as mathematics, STEM education, or history. For certain positions, it will be required that you have teaching experience and state licensure in the specific subject or grade level you are specializing in too. As a curriculum developer, you will also need to demonstrate strong computer, collaboration, communication, and analytical skills with a strong attention to detail.
Related Resource: Instructional Coach
Overall, curriculum developers are given the responsibility of designing new instructional programs with the goal of helping students learn more effectively in K-12 classrooms. If you make the decision to become a curriculum developer, you will be able to create a rewarding career in the education field to create new courses, design textbooks, determine district curriculum standards, train teachers, and integrate new technologies in classrooms.
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