Educational consultants are professionals who provide advice and guidance to educators, parents, and schools on teaching styles and educational strategies that can improve student learning. They review how teachers and districts carry out their educational processes, and then make suggestions for better ways to accomplish those tasks. They can also do a broader review, looking for problems across the spectrum to find issues that current administrators hadn't even detected yet. Educational consultants can create long-term strategic plans to modify the course of a district or modify curriculum standards. To become an educational consultant, you need to have good organizational skills and excellent attention to detail to better facilitate communication between different parties.
You should also be passionate about K-12 or higher education and want to positively influence student performance. After you graduate and earn your licenses or certifications, look for opportunities to gain relevant educational experience. Education consultants are hired by a school or university to help address specific problems, suggest improvements, make innovative changes, or provide specific training for staff. Most educational consultants have had experience working as classroom teachers, teachers, or school administrators for some time before becoming consultants. Any type of task required in the modern school system or in the classroom could be the subject of consultation for the right person. To a large extent, you'll need a few years of experience working with students or teachers, and you'll need knowledge of state and federal education regulations.
Most educational consultants work for school districts or universities, but some can be hired directly by families. To become a Certified Educational Planner (CEP), educational consultants must submit an application that highlights their experience, education and professional commitment and demonstrates their high ethical standards. Consultants are the conduit through which much of that knowledge is transferred from the technology sector to school systems. Education consultants are seen as experts in their field and are hired for the advice and guidance they can provide in struggling or underperforming school systems.Understanding how educational consultants develop their knowledge and gain relevant experience can help you determine if this is a good career option for you. Complete the form below to view recordings of past American University School of Education webinars.
