Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Instructor

🎯 Role Definition

An Instructor is responsible for designing and delivering high-quality instruction that promotes learning, mastery, and measurable outcomes for learners across K-12, higher education, vocational, or corporate training environments. This role includes curriculum development, lesson planning, assessment and feedback, learning management system (LMS) administration, individualized support, classroom management, compliance with institutional standards, and continuous professional development. The Instructor partners with peers and stakeholders to align instruction with organizational goals and learner needs while using data and educational technology to improve learning outcomes.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Teaching Assistant or Graduate Teaching Assistant
Adjunct Instructor or Part-time Lecturer
Corporate Trainer or Training Specialist

Advancement To:

Senior Instructor or Lead Instructor
Curriculum Manager or Instructional Coordinator
Program Director, Department Chair, or Director of Training & Development

Lateral Moves:

Instructional Designer
Academic Advisor or Student Success Coach
Learning & Development Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design and deliver engaging, standards-aligned lesson plans and learning activities that accommodate diverse learning styles, leverage evidence-based pedagogical strategies, and map to measurable learning objectives and outcomes.
Develop, revise, and maintain curriculum materials, syllabi, assessments, rubrics, and instructional resources that ensure alignment with accreditation requirements, state/national standards, and institutional learning goals.
Plan and facilitate synchronous and asynchronous instructional sessions using classroom, laboratory, workshop, or virtual platforms, integrating multimedia, simulations, and experiential learning when appropriate to increase student retention and mastery.
Assess student learning through formative and summative assessments, analyze results to identify gaps, provide timely, actionable feedback, and implement differentiated instructional interventions to improve learner performance.
Use learning management systems (e.g., Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle) to publish course content, manage assignments and grades, track participation, and communicate with learners and stakeholders in a secure and organized manner.
Create inclusive learning environments by applying culturally responsive teaching practices, accessibility standards (WCAG/ADA), and universal design for learning (UDL) principles to remove barriers and support diverse learners.
Implement classroom and behavior management strategies that maintain a professional, respectful, and safe learning environment and enforce institutional policies and academic integrity standards.
Mentor, advise, and support individual learners on academic progress, career pathways, or skills development; maintain regular office hours and document student interactions, accommodations, and progress notes as required.
Collaborate with faculty, instructional designers, subject-matter experts, and cross-functional stakeholders to design curricular pathways, align course sequences, and deliver cohesive programs that meet enrollment and retention targets.
Facilitate hands-on labs, practicums, fieldwork, or clinical experiences including supervising students, ensuring safety and compliance with health and safety protocols, and providing real-time coaching and evaluation.
Utilize classroom and student performance data to inform instruction, iterate on lesson design, implement targeted interventions, and report outcomes to department leadership and accreditation bodies.
Lead classroom technology integration by selecting and operating instructional technologies, authoring multimedia content, troubleshooting common technical issues, and training students on platform usage.
Grade assignments, projects, and examinations in a fair, consistent, and timely manner; maintain accurate grade records and submit required reports by institutional deadlines.
Develop and supervise capstone projects, internships, or industry partnerships that connect classroom learning to real-world applications and employer needs; coordinate evaluation rubrics and employer feedback.
Conduct periodic curriculum reviews and program assessments, collect feedback from learners and employers, and recommend improvements to course content, sequencing, or delivery modalities.
Participate in recruitment, admissions, or orientation activities by presenting course information, conducting information sessions, and advising prospective learners on program fit and expectations.
Maintain professional credentials and subject-matter expertise through continuing education, professional certifications, conferences, and membership in relevant associations; disseminate best practices to peers.
Lead or contribute to departmental committees, accreditation efforts, grant proposals, and program marketing initiatives to support program growth, quality assurance, and funding opportunities.
Ensure compliance with institutional policies, regulatory requirements, industry standards, credentialing bodies, and safety protocols while maintaining confidentiality of student records under FERPA or other applicable legislation.
Provide remedial instruction and learning support by designing intervention plans for at-risk learners, coordinating with tutors or support services, and monitoring progress toward benchmarks.
Prepare and present instructional performance reviews, course evaluations, and reflective teaching portfolios to supervisors for professional development and tenure/promotion processes.
Manage classroom resources, equipment, and supplies; coordinate maintenance of labs and instructional spaces; request and justify budget items needed to deliver high-quality instruction.
Facilitate peer observations, coach less experienced instructors, and participate in faculty development programs to raise instructional quality across the program.
Design and implement assessment instruments for program-level outcome measurement, collect and analyze data for continuous improvement cycles, and produce evidence-based reports for stakeholders.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc program requests such as short workshops, certificate courses, or community education sessions that expand access and revenue streams.
Contribute to the organization’s instructional strategy by piloting new teaching models (blended, flipped classroom, competency-based education) and documenting impact on learner outcomes.
Collaborate with industry partners to update curricula, secure internship placements, and align learning outcomes with current labor market needs.
Participate in faculty meetings, accreditation reviews, enrollment management planning, and student retention initiatives.
Maintain and update online course pages, multimedia resources, and repositories for departmental use and continual improvement.
Help coordinate special events, guest lectures, program showcases, and student assessment days to promote engagement and external visibility.
Assist with the administration of exams and standardized testing, ensuring security, accessibility accommodations, and integrity of testing procedures.
Provide data and narrative summaries for departmental reporting, grant deliverables, and annual program review processes.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Lesson planning and curriculum design aligned to standards and measurable learning outcomes.
Proficiency with Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, D2L, or Google Classroom.
Assessment design: creating rubrics, formative/summative assessments, and competency-based evaluations.
Classroom technology and multimedia tools: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, educational video production, interactive whiteboards, polling tools (e.g., Kahoot, PollEverywhere).
Data literacy for education: analyzing student performance metrics, retention data, and assessment statistics to guide instruction.
Familiarity with accessibility standards (ADA/WCAG), accommodations, and universal design for learning (UDL).
Subject-matter expertise in assigned discipline, including up-to-date industry certifications where applicable.
Grading systems, academic record-keeping, and knowledge of FERPA or equivalent student privacy regulations.
Practical experience supervising labs, clinicals, or hands-on training environments and enforcing safety protocols.
Curriculum mapping and accreditation documentation for program quality assurance.

Soft Skills

Clear, persuasive verbal and written communication tailored to diverse audiences (students, parents, employers, administrators).
Strong classroom and behavior management with demonstrated ability to de-escalate conflict and maintain professional learning environments.
Empathy and cultural competence with proven ability to support learners from diverse backgrounds and learning needs.
Collaborative teamwork across departments, with instructional designers, and with external partners.
Time management and organizational skills to balance course preparation, grading, mentoring, and administrative responsibilities.
Problem-solving and adaptability for modifying instruction based on learner feedback and changing requirements.
Coaching and mentorship skills to develop less experienced instructors and support student growth.
Critical thinking and reflective practice to iterate on instructional methods using evidence and learner outcomes.
Initiative and self-directed professional development to stay current in pedagogy and subject matter.
Customer-service orientation focused on learner satisfaction, retention, and positive educational experiences.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline or education; or equivalent professional experience combined with demonstrated instructional ability.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree or higher in Education, Instructional Design, subject-area discipline, or relevant professional certification (e.g., teaching credential, TESOL, industry certification).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Education, Curriculum & Instruction
Subject-matter degrees (e.g., Mathematics, English, Biology, Computer Science, Business)
Adult Education, Workforce Development
Instructional Design, Educational Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–7+ years teaching, training, or delivering instruction (varies by level: entry-level instructors often 1–3 years; college-level or specialized instructors 3–7+ years).

Preferred:

Demonstrated experience designing curriculum and assessments.
Experience with LMS administration and online or blended course delivery.
Prior work in the specific subject area or industry when applicable (e.g., healthcare clinical experience for healthcare instructors; software engineering experience for coding instructors).
Experience with accreditation processes, program assessment, or continuous improvement initiatives.