What does a head instructor do?
Head instructor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real head instructor resumes:
- Lead children's classes training kids in kicks and punch self-defense and how to avoid physical confrontations.
- Lead modified yoga and meditation sessions to enhance balance and flexibility ;
- Instruct the children involve in vocal coaching and memorization of lyrics.
- Work with students on costumes, props, and set ideas for show.
- Direct drama workshops for after school programs during the school year and the summer.
- Train students in the mechanics of wearing the costumes and performing according to the choreography.
- Perform in traveling versions of Shakespeare's Othello & Macbeth, portraying Iago and MacBeth respectively.
- Cover the fundamental concepts of chemistry and biology including cell biology, metabolism, microbiology, genetics, evolution and histology.
- Train personnel in Taekwondo, weapons, forms, and conflict de-escalation techniques using verbal judo, and tonal qualities.
- Teach a wide range of sport-specific skill sets in a clear, concise, friendly manner.
Head instructor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 42% of Head Instructors are proficient in Classroom Management, Curriculum Development, and CPR. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Motivational skills, and Physical fitness.
We break down the percentage of Head Instructors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Classroom Management, 42%
Mentored first-year teachers in classroom management and implementation of curriculum.
- Curriculum Development, 15%
Developed curriculum development, design, review and evaluation standards for all technical training.
- CPR, 10%
Trained and certified new CPR instructors throughout the county in coordination with the AHA.
- Water Safety, 7%
Focus ranged by individual level from water safety to competitive swimming.
- Resuscitation, 3%
Examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.
- Self Defense, 3%
Conducted several self defense workshops for women's groups, real estate agencies, and local martial arts schools.
Most head instructors use their skills in "classroom management," "curriculum development," and "cpr" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential head instructor responsibilities here:
Customer-service skills. The most essential soft skill for a head instructor to carry out their responsibilities is customer-service skills. This skill is important for the role because "many fitness trainers and instructors sell their services, motivating clients to hire them as personal trainers or to sign up for the classes they lead." Additionally, a head instructor resume shows how their duties depend on customer-service skills: "represented command to customers (pacarea, jiatf, local law enforcement) after work hours. "
Motivational skills. Another essential skill to perform head instructor duties is motivational skills. Head instructors responsibilities require that "to keep clients coming back for more classes or to continue personal training, fitness trainers and instructors must keep their clients motivated." Head instructors also use motivational skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "instruct adults in a variety of topics including; emotional psychology, biological psychology, anatomy and physiology, motivational psychology.."
Physical fitness. head instructors are also known for physical fitness, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to head instructor responsibilities, because "fitness trainers and instructors must be able to lead classes and to demonstrate exercises to participants or their clients." A head instructor resume example shows how physical fitness is used in the workplace: "instruct and train adult, teen, and youth students in martial arts, physical fitness, focus, and self-discipline. "
Problem-solving skills. For certain head instructor responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a head instructor rely on this skill, as "fitness trainers and instructors must evaluate members’ or client’s fitness levels and create appropriate fitness plans to meet their needs." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what head instructors do: "assessed student learning levels, resolved academic difficulties, and evaluated student performance. "
Listening skills. A commonly-found skill in head instructor job descriptions, "listening skills" is essential to what head instructors do. Head instructor responsibilities rely on this skill because "fitness trainers and instructors must listen carefully to what clients tell them in order to determine the clients’ fitness levels and desired fitness goals." You can also see how head instructor duties rely on listening skills in this resume example: "worked in a blended classroom environment, with content and assignments published online and communicated in person. "
Communication skills. Lastly, "communication skills" is an important element of what a head instructor does. Head instructor responsibilities require this skill because "fitness trainers and instructors must be able to clearly explain exercises that they demonstrate to clients." This resume example highlights how head instructor duties rely on this skill: "completed several workshops regarding mainly in leadership development, team building, communication skills"
The three companies that hire the most head instructors are:
- State of Georgia: Teachers Retirement System of Georgia15 head instructors jobs
- Ilitch Holdings2 head instructors jobs
- Fujitsu1 head instructors jobs
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Compare different head instructors
Head instructor vs. Correspondence school instructor
A correspondence school instructor confers with learners and their parents on the assigned students' progress or issues. Besides participating in teacher and learner or teacher and parent conferences, correspondence school instructors also instruct learners in the face-to-face settings on their IEP's objectives/goals. These professionals create classroom curriculums that promote intellectual curiosity, incorporate all child development areas, and build self-confidence. Also, correspondence school instructors plan a wide range of events and various activities for students.A correspondence school instructor confers with learners and their parents on the assigned students' progress or issues. Besides participating in teacher and learner or teacher and parent conferences, correspondence school instructors also instruct learners in the face-to-face settings on their IEP's objectives/goals. These professionals create classroom curriculums that promote intellectual curiosity, incorporate all child development areas, and build self-confidence. Also, correspondence school instructors plan a wide range of events and various activities for students.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between head instructors and correspondence school instructor. For instance, head instructor responsibilities require skills such as "water safety," "resuscitation," "self defense," and "karate." Whereas a correspondence school instructor is skilled in "kids," "math," "k-5," and "role model." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Correspondence school instructors tend to reach similar levels of education than head instructors. In fact, correspondence school instructors are 2.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Head instructor vs. Martial arts instructor
A martial arts instructor helps people understand the philosophy and history of their chosen martial art and teaches them the skills needed to take part safely. They train students in combat techniques, mostly for recreation or for self-defense. They develop individual training programs for their students, coach the students, develop and practice their own skills, ensure a safe and healthy training environment for their students, observe and assess students, and offer feedback on their progress.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that head instructor responsibilities requires skills like "classroom management," "curriculum development," "water safety," and "resuscitation." But a martial arts instructor might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "kids," "seminar," "dojo," and "self-defense techniques."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Martial arts instructors tend to reach similar levels of education than head instructors. In fact, they're 2.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for head instructors in the next 3-5 years?
Helen Callus
Professor of Viola, Northwestern University
I imagine this might become part of the framework that we offer in the future. Students should understand how to present themselves in these situations, understanding sound and picture quality devices (what microphones and cameras are best), internet speeds, ethernet cables, router devices, lighting, etc. But it is an excellent opportunity to understand the media of film/video and how to create best a sound video recording for competitions, summer festivals, or college applications. We were already using that medium for prescreens, so this is a chance to refine that skill as, without doubt, that will be a part of our future.
Head instructor vs. Learning center instructor
Learning center instructors' primary goal is to give direct mediation instruction for recognized students. They cooperate with staff members on suitable student placement for constructive learning. Their duties include directing all activities concerning planning, organization, development, communication, and delivery of training programs as well as initiatives. They work on leadership strategies for assisting children's emotional and social development and handling their behavior. Additionally, they coordinate with community organizations, facilities, and other professionals to design balanced recreational routines for participants.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from head instructor resumes include skills like "classroom management," "curriculum development," "cpr," and "water safety," whereas a learning center instructor is more likely to list skills in "math," "basic mathematics," "course curriculum," and "child care. "
Learning center instructors typically earn higher educational levels compared to head instructors. Specifically, they're 5.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Head instructor vs. Life skills instructor
A life skills instructor advises people that are seeking support and coaching. They are responsible for helping them learn and develop skills like doing day-to-day tasks, interacting with other people, caring for themselves, as well as doing basic duties. Also, they can offer to coach for playing sports, learning new things, doing different exercises, and tips for employment.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between head instructors and life skills instructors, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a head instructor might have more use for skills like "classroom management," "curriculum development," "water safety," and "self defense." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of life skills instructors require skills like "developmental disabilities," "kids," "adaptive," and "independent living. "
In general, life skills instructors hold similar degree levels compared to head instructors. Life skills instructors are 1.5% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of head instructor
Updated January 8, 2025
