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What does a program instructor do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Helen Callus
What does a program instructor do

A program instructor is responsible for facilitating indoor and outdoor programs with various goals and objectives catering to different participants. Program instructors must have excellent communication skills, especially on gaining the participants' attention and engaging them to join the activities prepared for the day. They also maintain a safe and creative learning environment for everyone, observing each participant's behavior and interests, developing group cooperation, and fostering personal development. A program instructor reiterates safety procedures and regulations during the program for everyone's strict compliance and immediately addresses conflicts soon as they arise.

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Program instructor responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real program instructor resumes:

  • Facilitate, manage and implement each classroom student's IEP
  • Lead DCMA personnel consolidation plan to increase synergies and communication amongst the teams.
  • Manage groups of kids on a daily basis in the field to ensure safety while participating in activities.
  • Assist in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation where applicable.
  • Perform general maintenance work including HVAC, electrical, refrigeration and plumbing.
  • Assist high school students with math, computers science and computer programming (Java).
  • Perform general maintenance and repair of plumbing, electrical, carpentry masonry welding, HVAC, and associate systems.
  • Assist and train individuals to perform ADL's and self-care duties.
  • Revise ACLS course material and agenda updating to present year guidelines.
  • Instruct class in fundamentals of biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
  • Tutor 1st to 6th graders in mathematics, general science, and English.
  • Utilize computer programming languages CSS, HTML and HTML5 to build elementary websites.
  • Proctore exams and help with extrication days for all levels of EMT students.
  • Support special education teacher in executing math lessons to groups of students with various learning needs.
  • Develop an individual program of study for every student base upon their goals and ability levels.

Program instructor skills and personality traits

We calculated that 25% of Program Instructors are proficient in Patients, K-12, and Math. They’re also known for soft skills such as Patience, Organizational skills, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Program Instructors that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Patients, 25%

    Documented and implemented the behavior management programs and/or medical safeguards for various patients.

  • K-12, 15%

    Maximized teaching productivity and impact by mentoring K-12 teachers in areas of curriculum development and student needs.

  • Math, 11%

    Instructed students in basic computer operations and Microsoft Office software; Also taught Intro to Computers and Medical Math.

  • Mathematics, 9%

    Manage daily operations of inaugural program, exposing youth to the connections between Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

  • Excellent Interpersonal, 8%

    Utilized excellent interpersonal skills during daily parents meetings to discuss the on-ice progress of their children.

  • CPR, 4%

    Maintain current first aid and CPR certification and ensure equipment/kits/materials are maintained and available.

Most program instructors use their skills in "patients," "k-12," and "math" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential program instructor responsibilities here:

Patience. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a program instructor to have is patience. Their role and responsibilities require that "working with students of different abilities and backgrounds can be difficult." Program instructors often use patience in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "maintained patience in a fast-paced environment when assisting seniors with developmental disabilities by proper time and case management. "

Organizational skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling program instructor duties is organizational skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "career and technical education teachers must coordinate their time and teaching materials." According to a program instructor resume, here's how program instructors can utilize organizational skills in their job responsibilities: "facilitated graduate courses in management and marketing: leadership, organizational learning, logistics, and other courses. "

Communication skills. program instructors are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to program instructor responsibilities, because "career and technical education teachers must explain concepts in terms that students can understand." A program instructor resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "worked with students 4th grade through college, teaching communication and leadership skills. "

See the full list of program instructor skills

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Compare different program instructors

Program instructor vs. Adjunct faculty

Adjunct faculty is the collective term for adjunct professors or lecturers. The adjunct faculty teaches students based on the limited-term of their contract. Oftentimes, they teach preparatory or introductory courses by semester arrangement for the entire academic year. Most of them are employed in higher education. Unlike regular professors, adjunct faculty do not have benefits and are not required to be present in meetings. They can work as either a contract professor or a part-time professor.

The annual salary of adjunct faculties is $40,689 higher than the average salary of program instructors.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between program instructors and adjunct faculties are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like math, mathematics, and social work.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a program instructor are more likely to require skills like "patients," "k-12," "excellent interpersonal," and "cpr." On the other hand, a job as an adjunct faculty requires skills like "student learning," "philosophy," "course syllabus," and "course objectives." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Adjunct faculties tend to make the most money working in the government industry, where they earn an average salary of $115,189. In contrast, program instructors make the biggest average salary, $44,765, in the education industry.The education levels that adjunct faculties earn slightly differ from program instructors. In particular, adjunct faculties are 19.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a program instructor. Additionally, they're 7.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Program instructor vs. Lecturer

A lecturer, also known as a university lecturer, is a teaching professional who teaches students in colleges and educational establishments. Lecturers provide support to students in their research activities by assessing their work and through a pastoral and advisory role. Aside from teaching students, lecturers may carry out administrative tasks such as student enrolment, induction programmers, and involvement in committees and boards. They may also contribute to professional seminars and seminars about their expertise and participate in the training activities of staff members.

Lecturer positions earn higher pay than program instructor roles. They earn a $19,608 higher salary than program instructors per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Program instructors and lecturers both require similar skills like "mathematics," "course content," and "course curriculum" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, program instructor responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "patients," "k-12," "math," and "excellent interpersonal." Meanwhile, a lecturer has duties that require skills in areas such as "semester," "philosophy," "course materials," and "literature." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Lecturers may earn a higher salary than program instructors, but lecturers earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $60,593. On the other hand, program instructors receive higher pay in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $44,765.lecturers earn higher levels of education than program instructors in general. They're 18.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 7.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for program instructors in the next 3-5 years?

Helen Callus

Professor of Viola, Northwestern University

For many of us instrumental professors (but not all, due to the limitations of the instrument's nature like percussion or piano), we had already been teaching remotely for some years, and been able to adjust to the current restrictions without impacting our student's experiences in lessons. Teaching remotely will be a part of the future - saving students the cost of travel, hotels, time. We are trying to find creative ways to do things we couldn't otherwise do in person, like having a busy guest from Europe, unable to fly in person but teaching a class via Zoom.

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.

Program instructor vs. Instructor, adjunct faculty

An adjunct faculty member works in a state university or college. They typically work on a part-time or contractual basis. Although they work in a university, they have limited responsibilities compared to those who work as a regular instructor, but they still need appropriate work etiquette and a love of teaching and working with students. Like any other instructor, they develop learning material, conduct lectures, prepare exams, and assess students' grades.

On average, instructors, adjunct faculty earn higher salaries than program instructors, with a $9,845 difference per year.program instructors and instructors, adjunct faculty both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "mathematics," "course content," and "course curriculum," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a program instructor is likely to be skilled in "patients," "k-12," "math," and "excellent interpersonal," while a typical instructor, adjunct faculty is skilled in "student learning," "course syllabus," "learning outcomes," and "instructional strategies."

Instructors, adjunct faculty earn the best pay in the education industry, where they command an average salary of $54,888. Program instructors earn the highest pay from the education industry, with an average salary of $44,765.When it comes to education, instructors, adjunct faculty tend to earn higher degree levels compared to program instructors. In fact, they're 16.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 4.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Program 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.

Correspondence school instructors typically earn higher pay than program instructors. On average, correspondence school instructors earn a $221 higher salary per year.According to resumes from program instructors and correspondence school instructors, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "math," "mathematics," and "cpr. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "patients," "k-12," "excellent interpersonal," and "autism" are skills that commonly show up on program instructor resumes. On the other hand, correspondence school instructors use skills like classroom management, kids, k-5, and child care on their resumes.correspondence school instructors enjoy the best pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $40,495. For comparison, program instructors earn the highest salary in the education industry.correspondence school instructors reach similar levels of education compared to program instructors, in general. The difference is that they're 2.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of program instructor

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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