Instructor Onboarding Checklist

Instructor Onboarding Process

Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Instructor starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Education onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Instructor, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Instructor onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.

Instructor Onboarding Checklist

1. Orientation: The instructor attends an orientation session to familiarize themselves with the company’s mission, values, policies, and procedures. This task is typically performed by the human resources department or a designated onboarding specialist.

2. Introduction to the Team: The instructor is introduced to their colleagues, including other instructors, administrators, and support staff. This task is usually facilitated by the department head or a designated team member.

3. Classroom Setup: The instructor is provided with a designated classroom or teaching space and is responsible for setting it up according to their teaching style and needs. This task is performed by the instructor themselves.

4. Curriculum Review: The instructor reviews the curriculum for the courses they will be teaching, ensuring they have a thorough understanding of the content, objectives, and assessment methods. This task is typically performed independently by the instructor, with support from curriculum coordinators or subject matter experts if needed.

5. Technology Training: The instructor receives training on the various technology tools and platforms used for teaching, such as learning management systems, video conferencing software, and online resources. This task is usually conducted by the IT department or a designated technology specialist.

6. Policy and Procedure Training: The instructor undergoes training on the company’s policies and procedures related to teaching, grading, attendance, student conduct, and other relevant areas. This task is typically performed by the human resources department or a designated training coordinator.

7. Classroom Management Training: The instructor receives training on effective classroom management techniques, including strategies for engaging students, handling disruptions, and promoting a positive learning environment. This task is often conducted by experienced instructors or instructional coaches.

8. Mentorship Program: The instructor is paired with a mentor, an experienced instructor who provides guidance, support, and feedback during the initial period of employment. This task is usually coordinated by the department head or a designated mentorship coordinator.

9. Student Support Services Orientation: The instructor attends an orientation session or training on the various student support services available, such as tutoring, counseling, disability services, and academic advising. This task is typically organized by the student services department or a designated student support coordinator.

10. Professional Development Opportunities: The instructor is informed about the professional development opportunities available within the company, such as workshops, conferences, webinars, and continuing education programs. This task is usually communicated by the professional development department or a designated professional development coordinator.

11. Classroom Observation: The instructor is observed by a supervisor or experienced instructor to provide feedback and support in improving their teaching skills. This task is typically performed by the department head or a designated instructional coach.

12. Performance Evaluation: The instructor undergoes a performance evaluation to assess their teaching effectiveness, adherence to policies, and overall job performance. This task is usually conducted by the department head or a designated evaluation committee.

13. Faculty Meetings: The instructor attends regular faculty meetings to stay updated on departmental and company-wide initiatives, share best practices, and collaborate with colleagues. These meetings are typically organized by the department head or a designated meeting coordinator.

14. Course Materials Preparation: The instructor prepares course materials, including syllabi, lesson plans, handouts, and assessments, ensuring they align with the curriculum and meet the company’s standards. This task is performed by the instructor themselves.

15. Student Orientation: The instructor participates in student orientation sessions to introduce themselves, provide an overview of the course, and answer any questions or concerns. This task is usually coordinated by the student services department or a designated orientation coordinator.

16. Safety and Emergency Procedures Training: The instructor receives training on safety protocols, emergency procedures, and evacuation plans to ensure the well-being of students and staff in case of any unforeseen events. This task is typically conducted by the safety and security department or a designated safety coordinator.

17. Continuous Professional Development: The instructor engages in ongoing professional development activities, such as attending workshops, conferences, and webinars, reading educational literature, and participating in online forums, to enhance their teaching skills and stay updated with industry trends. This task is performed independently by the instructor, with support from the professional development department if needed.

18. Building Relationships with Students: The instructor focuses on building positive relationships with students, getting to know them individually, and creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment. This task is performed by the instructor themselves.

19. Collaboration with Colleagues: The instructor collaborates with colleagues, both within their department and across disciplines, to share ideas, resources, and best practices, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. This task is performed by the instructor themselves, with support from department heads or designated collaboration coordinators.

20. Familiarization with Company Policies and Procedures: The instructor familiarizes themselves with the company’s policies and procedures beyond teaching-related matters, such as HR policies, code of conduct, and administrative processes. This task is typically performed independently by the instructor, with support from the human resources department or a designated onboarding specialist if needed

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

From reading through the items in the example Instructor checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Instructor up to speed and working well in your Education team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.