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Job outlook for learning specialists in the United States
Learning specialist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected learning specialist job growth rate is 8% from 2018-2028.
About 28,900 new jobs for learning specialists are projected over the next decade.
Learning specialist salaries have increased 6% for learning specialists in the last 5 years.
There are over 16,907 learning specialists currently employed in the United States.
There are 38,229 active learning specialist job openings in the US.
The average learning specialist salary is $57,035.
Are learning specialist jobs in demand?
Learning specialist job and salary trends over time
Learning specialist jobs over time
Learning specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 16,907 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 16,002 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 15,720 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 14,660 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 14,105 | 0.00% |
Average learning specialist salary over time
Learning specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $57,035 | $27.42 | +2.4% |
| 2025 | $55,680 | $26.77 | +0.6% |
| 2024 | $55,370 | $26.62 | +0.8% |
| 2023 | $54,906 | $26.40 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | $53,687 | $25.81 | +1.4% |
Learning specialist jobs by state
Most common states for learning specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 238 | 34% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 177 | 18% |
| 3 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 124 | 16% |
| 4 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 297 | 15% |
| 5 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,163 | 14% |
| 6 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 456 | 14% |
| 7 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 84 | 14% |
| 8 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 878 | 13% |
| 9 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 757 | 13% |
| 10 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 726 | 13% |
| 11 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 141 | 13% |
| 12 | Vermont | 623,657 | 78 | 13% |
| 13 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 667 | 12% |
| 14 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 210 | 12% |
| 15 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 162 | 12% |
| 16 | Alaska | 739,795 | 92 | 12% |
| 17 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 310 | 11% |
| 18 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 226 | 11% |
| 19 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 113 | 11% |
| 20 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 94 | 11% |
Most common cities for learning specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lansing | 113 | 97% | $62,338 |
| 2 | Annapolis | 29 | 74% | $68,537 |
| 3 | Frankfort | 12 | 43% | $55,876 |
| 4 | Dover | 8 | 21% | $63,125 |
| 5 | Juneau | 6 | 18% | $39,661 |
| 6 | Saint Paul | 38 | 13% | $59,729 |
| 7 | Hartford | 10 | 8% | $73,015 |
| 8 | Springfield | 8 | 7% | $64,270 |
| 9 | Topeka | 7 | 6% | $54,882 |
| 10 | Baton Rouge | 12 | 5% | $51,336 |
| 11 | Boston | 26 | 4% | $64,787 |
| 12 | Des Moines | 9 | 4% | $48,825 |
| 13 | Montgomery | 8 | 4% | $46,954 |
| 14 | Little Rock | 6 | 3% | $34,705 |
| 15 | Atlanta | 8 | 2% | $47,483 |
| 16 | Urban Honolulu | 8 | 2% | $55,980 |
| 17 | Indianapolis | 8 | 1% | $50,585 |
| 18 | Phoenix | 6 | 0% | $48,646 |
Learning Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of learning specialist experts
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Indiana University Bloomington
Robert Morris University
New Mexico State University
University of Delaware
Louisiana State University of Alexandria
University of Denver
Colorado State University
Rocky Mountain College
Alverno College
Edgewood College
Monmouth University
Nyack College
Montclair State University
University of Alaska Anchorage
University of Central Missouri
The Catholic University of America
University of Kentucky
What Learning Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Michael Menchaca: Possess a health balance of general design skills and specific tool knowledge. Understand which tools are prevalent by reviewing job descriptions (AI does a great job of this) and augment your skill set. Don't wait for your graduate program to cover every tool; sometimes you have to learn some on your own. Practice presentation and interview skills and look for practicums and internships in your program.
What will help Learning Specialists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Michael Menchaca: Funny you should ask. Artificial Intelligence is not over-hyped even though it may feel that way from the barrage of media and articles about it. If graduates don't at least have a working understanding of AI, especially as it relates to education, then they are behind. I especially advise that ed tech graduates practice prompt engineering and research AI as it relates to their specific areas of interest and expertise. In addition, complex problem-solving and understanding of cognition and neurosciences will be key.
Gamze Ozogul Ph.D.
Department Chair of Learning, Design, and Adult Education, LDAE, Associate Professor of Instructional Systems Technology, ISTIndiana University Bloomington
Educational/Instructional Media Design
What general advice would you give to a Learning Specialist?
Gamze Ozogul Ph.D.: Experience may help with maximizing salary potential as one enters the career in my field. Generally, degree programs offer various options for that, e.g., Indiana University has a studio-based option for a residential MS program, or course projects with clients (both in online and residential programs), internships, service learning, being involved in research projects. If a starting job candidate can show evidence from various experiences in their graduation portfolio (website), it may help them maximize the salary potential as they start their career.
What Learning Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Gamze Ozogul Ph.D.: Adaptability, flexibility, and being open to continuously learning (after the degree completion). Technology, learning environments, learning needs, and content to be mastered by the learners are constantly changing. The educational technologist has to be open to learn continuously and change and adapt to the changes happening in these areas. Additionally, soft skills such as being a team member and clear communication are very important, as educational technologists work in a team or lead a team.
What will help Learning Specialists increase their earning potential?
Gamze Ozogul Ph.D.: Everyone needs to start somewhere. Learn most from each experience in the field and build your resume, experiences, and skills.
What Learning Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Richard Fuller: Be open to opportunities that will present themselves in Prek-12, higher education or corporate training and development. Many places will see the value in hiring employees with the knowledge and skills that come with a Curriculum and Instruction (C&I;) degree and will create positions accordingly. Most organizations see the value of a training and development department with specific uses. Hospitals, k-12 schools, for profit organizations and nonprofit organization incorporate instructional designers with a curriculum and instruction degree. Even higher education (HE) hire instructional designers to work with faculty. HE faculty are subject matter experts but don’t know about instruction or curriculum or how to teach online or in person f2f. They also don’t understand the value or how to design and develop curriculum and transfer that to the classroom. PreK-12 utilize C&I; grads as both trainers and as coordinators of curriculum. This may require an advanced degree (graduate or doctoral), but nonetheless, it is an opportunity and something to think about as you progress through your career. Training and Development is an obvious opportunity in many corporations and organizations as C&I; prepared graduates have a body of knowledge and skills that align with training needs in designing and delivering training for corporate and organizational initiatives in all areas. There are those with a C&I; degree who also hold teaching certificates in some area of Prek-12. This may open other doors for them in teaching in the classroom but with the degree may present additional opportunities in an organization’s administrative capacity or training.
What will help Learning Specialists increase their earning potential?
Carol Flinchbaugh Ph.D.: At this point, current graduates need to understand the transformative change that we are experiencing with generative AI. New employees need to understand the role of AI’s potential across every industry, and they must be open to continuous learning about AI. Ideally, they will have an opportunity for on-the-job training; however, things are changing so fast that employees often need to take initiative to keep themselves up-skilled with the recent technology changes.
Rahmat Beheshti PhD
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Delaware
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, And Computational Biology
What general advice would you give to a Learning Specialist?
Rahmat Beheshti PhD: While working on improving your hard skills (see my comment about mastering your core theoretical background for ML methods), make sure you improve your soft skills, too. In most cases, these latter skills are as important as (if not more important) in determining the chance of being hired and setting the slope of your growth trajectory after hiring.
What general advice would you give to a Learning Specialist?
Dr. Mahyar Amirgholy Ph.D.: To really boost your salary potential, think beyond just what you learned in school. Ask yourself, 'What sets me apart from others? What can I offer that's unique and valuable?' It's not just about your qualifications; it's about showing how you can bring more to the table, especially with new tech like AI. Show potential employers how you can use AI to drive profits, solve problems, or improve efficiency. If you can demonstrate that you're not just another hire but a real asset who can help them stay ahead of the curve, you're in a much better position to negotiate a higher salary. So, dive into the tech, get creative with it, and show how it translates to real-world benefits for your employer.
What will help Learning Specialists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Mahyar Amirgholy Ph.D.: In the next few years, the game changer is going to be all about AI and how we adapt to it. It's like, the tech keeps evolving, right? So, we've got to keep up, keep learning. It's not just about understanding AI as it is now, but staying on your toes for what's coming next. Think of it as an ongoing adventure where each new update or tool can help us do our jobs better or solve problems in cooler ways. Also, it's not just about the techy stuff; communication and teamwork are huge because the best ideas come when different minds collide. So, stay curious, stay flexible, and keep those collaboration skills sharp.
Tina Hathorn
Assistant Professor of EducationLouisiana State University of Alexandria
Education Department
What skills stand out on Learning Specialist resumes?
Tina Hathorn: When reviewing resumes for a special needs position, evidence of the ability to communicate is key. To effectively interact with children with special needs, their parents, and other support personnel, one needs to be able to communicate. The resume should highlight any evidence the candidate has of this skill, both verbal and written. This would include presenting information and collaborating with others.
A higher degree in special education will be advantageous, along with any experience with children with special needs. Experience working with special needs and evidence that the candidate focused on meeting the individual needs of students will stand out.
Ongoing professional development shows the candidate invests in learning and improving themselves. Their ability to present learned information and collaborate with others is a skill to highlight.
What soft skills should all Learning Specialists possess?
Tina Hathorn: Communication skills and high emotional intelligence (EQ) are important soft skills when working with special needs students. The ability to communicate with children with special needs and their parents encourages the building of relationships. Positive relationships build trust, and parents need to trust that teachers working with their children have their best interests at heart.
In our current situation, due to the pandemic, instruction for special needs students has been a challenge. Online learning, though various platforms, is not ideal for special needs. Students with special needs have different instructional and emotional needs and are difficult to achieve through a computer screen. The special education teacher must have the ability to communicate and make emotional connections with students under these circumstances.
Having a high EQ provides the ability to recognize how one's emotions affect children with special needs and how their emotions will determine outcomes. Having the skill to understand and sense the emotions of others is a high-level skill and one that is effective. Having the competence to sense the emotions of the students and parents to react in a supportive manner requires good listening skills, open-mindedness, and the ability to handle criticism. Parents are often frustrated but need both compassion and truth.
Special needs children have such a vast span of needs. The special education teacher having the ability to be adaptable, remain calm, and have a high emotional intelligence will lead towards success for both the teacher and student.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Learning Specialists?
Tina Hathorn: Computer skills, management skills, analytical skills, and content knowledge skills are important as special needs teachers. Special needs teachers are the liaison for the student and parents with other support personnel. The special education teacher should be organized and be able to manage multiple supports. Documenting support is a requirement and often requires computer skills. Being able to manage schedules, meetings, observations, and feedback in a timely manner is imperative.
Since there are so many types of disorders, a special education teacher should be well versed in each of these. Ongoing learning in the field of special education to maintain efficient knowledge of requirements is a necessity.
Having the analytical skills to collect and analyze information to solve problems for students is another important skill. Teachers often look for support strategies, whether instructional or behavioral, from the special education teachers.
One of the major technical skills is to know content knowledge such as laws that pertain to students with special needs. Make an error in this, and one has now created potential negative situations for not only themselves but the school district.
What skills will help Learning Specialists earn the most?
Tina Hathorn: I think if you are in it for the money, then you need to find another profession. Teachers do not teach because of money; they teach because they care about the students and the impact they will have on the community. This is especially true for special needs teachers. If I had to say which skill would help you earn the most, I would say it is like with any job, you must be a great networker. Having an upper-level degree would help you earn the most.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Learning Specialists?
Maria Salazar Ph.D.: The coronavirus will have an enduring impact on higher education graduates. In the field of education, graduates have experienced first hand the deep and lasting inequalities that the coronavirus has had on youth and families from Communities of Color. The have seen educational gaps widen into education chasms. They have witnessed the struggles, successes, and resiliency of families as they navigate the impact of the virus. Graduates leave education programs with their eyes wide open to the systemic racism and other isms that impact youth and their families, from education, to healthcare, and beyond.
In teacher education programs, our graduates have had a front row seat to inequality. They have witnessed children and adolescents disengage from schooling and life. They have struggled to support their students' mental and physical health. They ache to be with their students in classrooms, yet fear the repercussions of close contact due to the virus. Yet, they persist, and they keep believing they can make a difference.
What's a day at work look like for a Learning Specialist?
Maria Salazar Ph.D.: A day at work for a recent graduate in the field of education is unknown, yet it is known. Schools will certainly change. We will definitely see greater use of technology. Innovation may impact the school day and approach to schooling. Yet, traditional schools may eventually revert to what is known. The factory model of schooling is engrained in U.S. Society. The school enterprise may eventually go back to the "normal" disengaging and alienating model that existed before the virus. And yet, a work day may look radically different. Innovative options for schooling may arise that push beyond the boundaries of what is known. The potential for change is everywhere, in all sectors of the economy. Why not education?
What technical skills for a Learning Specialist stand out to employers?
Maria Salazar Ph.D.: Technical skills that stand out to employers in the education sector during and after the time of COVID include interpersonal skills, ability to navigate change and challenges, and commitment to educational equity. Interacting with colleagues, students, and families online is challenging. This requires a set of interpersonal skills that involve a tolerance for uncertainty, risk-taking, creativity, and innovation. The ability to navigate change and challenges is essential during uncertain times. In schools, the landscape is alway changing, and more so in a global pandemic.
It is important to foster a growth-mindset in oneself, and also in one's school community. Employers are also looking for a commitment to educational equity. With emerging consciousness of racial inequality and the need for systems that promote racial justice, employers want to hire people who are culturally competent and can move beyond statements of the value of diversity, to the enactment of educational environments that promote equity for those who are marginalized. This skill set includes: cross-cultural communication, culturally responsive teaching, and strength-based practices.
Dr. Ann Sebald
Assistant Professor, Co-DirectorColorado State University
Center for Educator Preparation
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Learning Specialists?
Dr. Ann Sebald: Not sure what is meant by 'enduring'. However, if you are asking if there will be a long/longer term impact of the pandemic on recent graduates entering the teaching profession, I would say yes. As the state continues to work through the fiscal impact of the pandemic, schools will need to identify their priorities. As it relates to in-person learning, educators have done an amazing job at continuous adjustments during the past year. Teacher candidates have learned along-side veteran educators how best to adapt the learning environment for all students and their needs. What we've learned over this past year is being applied in schools around the globe moving forward.
What will help Learning Specialists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Ann Sebald: Within the field of P-12 education, the question that should be asked is what will help people in our field improve student learning. Professional development opportunities, supported by what we have learned from recent and on-going research, is what will support teachers and leaders within the field of P-12 education. The goal remains the same, how can we best prepare future children and youth to be well prepared to address the challenges and opportunities they will face as they graduate and move out into the workforce and world.
Dr. Stevie Schmitz
Director of EducationRocky Mountain College
Leadership and Distance Education Program
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Learning Specialists?
Dr. Stevie Schmitz: I believe that there will be an enduring impact on the entire education system due to the pandemic. Students may experience gaps in their education due to remote learning which will have to be addressed by educational leaders and their faculty members as well as parents. Social emotional stress is bound to be a factor as students return to school. Leaders need to support students and staff with this transition. Educational technology will occupy a new role in public education and we need to embrace and support it. Financial impact will also be a reality for newly graduated educational leaders. Money spent or needing to be spent on safety measures will continue as more students return to school. All of these situations (and others not yet imagined) will impact new leaders.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Learning Specialists?
Randa Suleiman Ph.D.: The pandemic had an impact on all of us including our students. In education, the shift from face to face teaching to online pushed our teacher candidates to show their skills. As an Alverno graduate, our teachers tend to be ore versed in technology integration and comfortable teaching in multi-media classrooms.
Dr. Tom Holub Ph.D.
Director of Curriculum & InstructionEdgewood College
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Learning Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Tom Holub Ph.D.: From my vantage point, and the research we are engaging in, it is clear that emotional wellness has been, and will continue to become, a major issue in society. The wide-ranging concerns for emotional and mental health cross lines of all demographics. Specialist, interventionists and therapists will be needed for children and adults post-pandemic. The specialization of needs, for example in adolescent interaction with the pandemic, will further complicate our nation's critical needs in this area. To this end, the opportunities for employment will grow in our field and the benfits of high quality training programs will become a priority.
What technical skills for a Learning Specialist stand out to employers?
Dr. Tom Holub Ph.D.: This field is very qualitative in nature, but there are significant issues relative to our technologies as well. As Rehabilitation Psychologists and Special Education (RPSE) personnnel, reliance upon systems of data support and communication are critical. Having the ability to navigate qualitative research technologies will help an RPSE candidate show a competetive edge over other candidates.
How have salaries changed over time for Learning Specialists?
Dr. Tom Holub Ph.D.: There has been great stability in the field, with salaries increasing over time. The new and improved alliances with insurance companies have eased some pressure that families have felt. Previously, in many cases, families did not seek out the assistance of a certified RPSE because of the hourly fees. More contemporarily insurance coverage has made this access much better. The efficacy of our interventions is increased when families do not have deep-seated worries about paying for these necessary services.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Learning Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Antonio Estudillo Ph.D.: A range of considerations come to mind, all of which are interconnected and speak to sustainability in the field of education. Generally speaking, there is a teacher shortage where specific endorsements are concerned (e.g., STEM, Special Education, ESL/working with Multi-Lingual Leaners as well as historically underrepresented students). Of immediate interest is the recruitment and retention of our teaching force that cannot simply pivot how they approach teaching pedagogy, but actually how prospective teacher-educators can change their practices to be more learner-centered, equity-minded, and intentional moving forward (i.e., namely, concentration in quality of technology applications and usage; online learning/blended learning/hybrid intruction).
Specific to the pandemic, this is perhaps most pressing when considering how to better differentiate within and across learning environments/spaces to offer a personalized student experience-facilitating and cultivating meaningful engagement, especially having incoming teachers bring with them an increased/enhanced sense of self and awareness-knowledge of the backgrounds and representation of children of color (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and in particular Latinx and Black/African-American students. In addition too, per job market and the current pandemic, there is still a tremendous need to increase and diversify the ethnic-racial representation of the teaching force.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Learning Specialist job market given the pandemic?
David Emanuel Ph.D.: Given the pandemic, I think the biggest trend that we see in the job market is the switch to functioning in a remote environment. The demand to be present in a traditional "office" is fading as more and more employers are forced to find new ways for their staff members to work at home. This opens up new opportunities for applicants because now they are less restricted to applying for work within a commutable distance. More opportunities are opening for a graduate living in New York, for example, to apply for a job with offices in Orlando. Because the need to be physically present in the office has become less crucial, employees do not need to live locally.
What technical skills for a Learning Specialist stand out to employers?
David Emanuel Ph.D.: I think employers are especially looking out for students that have acquired strong technical skills along with their major. Graduates with knowledge of Zoom, GoogleMeets, social media, etc., are more likely to impress employers. Here, it is not just the ability to use existing technological platforms, but also the willingness to learn and adapt to new technological changes in the workplace. Along with the newer applications, a sound knowledge of basic programs such as MS Word and Excel also helps to distinguish students.
What's a good job out of college for Learning Specialists?
David Emanuel Ph.D.: With a degree in biblical studies, especially at Nyack College, graduate students have at least two options. Either the academic route, furthering their education at a seminary or secular institution. Many of our students have taken this route, and have continued to doctoral studies at a variety of institutions, both in the US and abroad. Alternatively, students have entered the job market serving in a variety of different roles. Most commonly students work for local churches, specifically in the area of teaching. Outside of the church, however, a good option is teaching at private Christian schools. A third great option, if the student possesses strong writing skills, is to enter the world of editing, specifically for books centered around Bible and Theology.
Anonymous Professor
What general advice would you give to a Learning Specialist?
Anonymous Professor : Getting a degree in Africana Studies or any other similar major (e.g., Ethnic Studies, Latin American and Latino Studies, etc.), is no different from getting a degree in any other Arts & Sciences department, in the sense that it provides a strong liberal arts education, but in an interdisciplinary field, that provides an additional lens for studying the same things students study in "traditional" academic disciplines.
Students with these degrees graduate college with the same career options available to them as those graduating from any other Arts and Science degree. Some go to graduate or professional school, others enter the labor market across a variety of fields, including finance.
What's a good job out of college for Learning Specialists?
Anonymous Professor : A good first job out of college is one that pays enough to cover expenses and save, but also makes you happy. It might also further your educational experience by providing real-world experience and helping young adults refine their goals and aspirations. What that looks like "on the ground" is different for everyone.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Learning Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Nicole Barnes: Although the abrupt changes that occurred to K-12 schooling in the Spring of 2020 have given way to more detailed reopening plans and a vaccine is now available, the use of hybrid and remote learning remains with the ongoing influence of COVID-19. Therefore, it seems essential that teacher educators, researchers, and K-12 school districts rethink what good teaching looks like for K-12 education's changed landscape. Teachers more then ever will need to be prepared to teach in virtual environments and garner the same academic, social, and emotional student outcomes that they would face to face.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Learning Specialists?
Dr. Nicole Barnes: The two areas where current teachers appear to be struggling are how to motivate and assess students in a virtual environment. In our Certificate Program in Educational Assessment at MSU, for example, we provide teachers will the knowledge and skills to do this well, and administrators with the tools to scaffold their teachers' development in these areas.
Ginger Blackmon
Assistant Professor of Educational LeadershipUniversity of Alaska Anchorage
College of Arts and Science; School of Education; Educational Leadership Program
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Learning Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Ginger Blackmon: I believe the biggest trends we will see in the education job market given the pandemic include an increase in the teacher shortage as a number of retirement-age professionals will choose to leave the classroom rather than risk returning the face-to-face instruction that increases their chance of exposure to the coronavirus. This trend will lead to a shift in how state departments, school districts, and university preparation programs think about the preparation of teachers and school leaders to fill these positions.
What Learning Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ginger Blackmon: If a graduate needs to take a gap year, gaining skills and experience in working among diverse groups of school-age children in non-school settings will enhance their work as teachers. Volunteering in after-school programs, sports programs, boys and girls clubs, and academic/arts programs will give graduates opportunities to build meaningful relationships with children. Gaining experience in building meaningful relationships with children and families outside of the stress and pressure of the modern classroom will enhance their success as they begin their teaching careers.
What general advice would you give to a Learning Specialist?
Ginger Blackmon: The general advice I would give to a graduate beginning their career as an educational professional is to first and foremost understand that students, colleagues, and parents need to know that you care. Authentic, caring, and positive relationships build the foundation for the success and well-being of students and adults within the school setting. Second, I would suggest that they continue to learn. Understanding that educators leave their preparation programs simply knowing enough to get started. Not only is there so much more to learn, but engaging in and modeling lifelong learning is critical in order to address the learning needs of an ever-changing student population, and to educate the next general to address the problems confronting an ever-changing world only enhances the ability to build strong relationships with students, colleagues, and parents.
Lea Porta
InstructorUniversity of Central Missouri
Early Childhood Education Department
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Learning Specialists?
Lea Porta: Endure, yes, we must endure. The students I've encountered are facing these challenges head on and then overcoming these new obstacles. These students are thinking on their feet! Learning and even adapting to real time change. Although, I wish none of us were in this position, it has moved the bar and standards up. I think our students are achieving lifelong skills.
What type of skills will young Learning Specialists need?
Lea Porta: Technology is obvious... But I feel UCM's block classes give students a real opportunity to work in classes and be more prepared for student teaching and graduation.
What experience really stands out on Learning Specialist resumes?
Lea Porta: I think if they have Google certification, that might be a bonus. Any work or volunteering in their field of study, as well as substituting.
Agnes Cave Ph.D.
Chair, Director of Teacher Education, Coordinator, Master's in Learning and Instruction, Coordinator, Elementary Education, Associate Professor of EducationThe Catholic University of America
Department of Education
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Learning Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Agnes Cave Ph.D.: a. If schools have the funds (and many do not), they will need to hire more student-teachers to deliver instruction online. The student teaching ratio will have to be lower to deliver instruction online effectively, so those schools that can afford it will try to hire two teachers in each classroom where teachers will collaborate or teach smaller groups of students.
b. As I mentioned in my previous point, teachers will need to collaborate with one another more because of the higher demands of online instruction; i.e., challenges to engage students (especially the younger ones) meaningfully (e.g., the logistics of hands-on activities in the online environment) and also because of the difficulties in managing classroom behavior virtually.
c. Teachers also have to become proficient end-users of various platforms, programs, and apps to deliver content online; e.g., Zoom, Google Meet, Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, etc.
What Learning Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Agnes Cave Ph.D.: a. Students in general need more support in a virtual classroom. Those students who have exceptionalities or other needs, such as English Language Learners, need even more scaffolding and assistance. Differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all students including those with special needs or ELL learners is one of the most important and also most difficult skills to learn to implement with real students in a real classroom. Differentiating instruction for all learners in a virtual environment is probably the most challenging task that the majority of teachers have not been prepared for intentionally.
b. Teachers must use assessment data to inform their instruction. Today, we have access to more and more data, so the new skill that teachers have to learn is working with, managing, and analyzing big data in order to understand trends in their students' learning.
c. As I mentioned before, becoming a proficient end user of technology platforms is now a basic skill, the foundation upon which differentiation and all other aspects of teaching rest. Thus, learning more technology including apps, programs, and platforms has become an essential skill that teachers can learn about in their formal and informal professional development. For example, it's not enough to be able to use Zoom and allow all parties to be able to share their screens, the teacher will have to be very good at using the Zoom breakout room feature without a glitch. It's also important to learn to troubleshoot technical glitches.
d. In our ever-evolving, exponentially growing technological society, new technology appears daily. It's important to explore, identify, evaluate, and adopt new digital resources and tools for learning and instruction. I recommend reading useful sources of educational technology and its use in the classroom. It's not enough though to learn about learning apps. Teachers must also learn how to use these learning apps (e.g., Duolingo), programs (e.g., Literably for reading levels), and platforms (e.g. Kahn Academy) to their advantage in the classroom; for instance, for flipping the classroom to create more time for meaningful learning in person and on the screen.
e. Ethical and legal questions have always abound in the field of education, but recently more and more topics require ethical decision making and legal knowledge. Teachers and educator preparation candidates should make sure that they familiarize themselves with topics, such as privacy in online instruction; safe, ethical and legal practice of digital media and tools; protection of intellectual rights and property; management of personal data and digital identity; and protection of student data privacy.
f. Teachers and educator preparation candidates looking for employment will also have to learn how to present themselves virtually to employers, so I recommend practicing interviewing skills by themselves on HandShake, an interviewing platform offered by universities or practice with a career expert at their University Career Center.
g. Good teachers are life-long learners. They continue upskilling and learning more about their content by reading textbooks, primary sources, and literature - but it's not sufficient to read only research literature, it's essential to read high-quality literature! Teachers should also stay current with research that supports improved student learning outcomes, including findings from the learning sciences. In order to keep up with the latest research findings, I recommend that teachers read research articles of effective teaching strategies in their content area.
h. How and where can future teachers practice if they are not in the classroom? They can always find students who need help. Students can be family members, friends' children, neighbors, or school children whose parents look for paid or unpaid additional support. Thus I recommend tutoring students in the age group educator preparation candidates are learning to teach. Even after multiple field experiences in practica and student teaching, more practice is always useful, especially in a virtual environment. Practice teaching online (especially alternative ways of delivering hands-on activities for students of all ages) and implementing behavior management techniques for young online learners.
What general advice would you give to a Learning Specialist?
Agnes Cave Ph.D.: a. Start professional networking now (e.g., on LinkedIn).
b. Reach out to principals to introduce yourself and inquire about job opportunities. If you are able to, offer to tutor a few students to be able to learn more about the school and give them the opportunity to learn about you.
c. Think strategically about your teaching career
-Do you first want to go to grad school? If yes, in what area?
-Do you want to start teaching? In what type of school? Reach out to alumni of your program to establish relationships and ask professional questions. Introduce yourself and see if they can also put in a good word for you or help you get an interview.
-Until you are hired, are you interested in teaching students in pods during the pandemic or in the summer? Teaching in pods provides great practice and a decent income until you can get a full-time job.
d. Important skills for teachers in the classroom (besides all aspects of teaching)
-Flexibility, adaptability to change
-Time management and prioritization
-Collaboration with others
-Effective oral and written communication
-Interest in innovation and creativity
-Ethics and legal matters, moral code in teaching
Dr. Kun Huang Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Instructional Systems DesignUniversity of Kentucky
Department of Curriculum & Instruction
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Learning Specialists?
Dr. Kun Huang Ph.D.: While the pandemic will affect graduates of all disciplines in varying degrees, the impact on graduates in educational technology may be a little different due to the fact that many organizations rely more on technology to support their training and communication operations. Educational institutions also need more expertise in this area. According to insidehighered, while many universities instituted a hiring freeze in 2020, many have been hiring graduates in fields related to educational technology.
What type of skills will young Learning Specialists need?
Dr. Kun Huang Ph.D.: They will need a good balance of theories and practice. On the theories side, they will need to develop a solid understanding of how people learn, factors facilitating or hindering the learning process, models, principles, and best practices of learning experience design, just to name a few. On the practice side, it would be helpful for students to develop hands-on expertise designing instructional solutions using technology. Familiarity with technology packages used by the industry would be beneficial.
What experience really stands out on Learning Specialist resumes?
Dr. Kun Huang Ph.D.: As I alluded to above, hands-on experience in actual projects is likely to stand out on resumes. Such experience can be demonstrated by real-world projects from prior coursework, internships, or other practice opportunities.