An education specialist is an educator who is trained in a specialized topic. Early childhood education, learning disabilities, online learning, product knowledge and health education are just a few examples of expertise areas of an education specialist. Education specialists generally train, guide and monitor the progress of others in both one-on-one and group settings. They often develop training materials and make presentations as well. Education specialists work in a variety of environments, including private and public schools, large and small corporations and in health care environments, such as hospitals, clinics and mental health centers.
A health education specialist in a university setting is often responsible for designing programs to educate university staff and students on matters related to diet, nutrition, fitness and stress management. In this capacity, the education specialist leads classes, develops training materials and may also recruit and oversee health instructors. The duties of health education specialists often vary from setting to setting and are based on the needs of the unique environment.
Education specialists are often found in school settings and, depending on the position, can serve a variety of functions. Some education specialists in schools are focused on delivering professional development training to teachers. Other specialists are hired as educational counselors who address a variety of student challenges, ranging from behavioral issues to identifying and developing educational interests. Some education specialists focus on students with learning disabilities and show them how to advance their knowledge and cope with learning challenges.
Education specialists may also have expertise in technology and use Web-based tools to advance the learning process. These individuals are often hired by schools and colleges to teach students and teachers how to best integrate technology into classroom activities. This type of education specialist generally has a teaching background along with specialized knowledge of Web-based instructional content. He or she is able to lead a group of students or teachers through a step-by-step process of accessing Web-based tools that offer instruction and measure student progress.
Many companies employ product education specialists as well. The role of these individuals is to educate others about company products and services. Their work sometimes includes training internal staff as well as presenting product demonstrations to potential clients. In this capacity, the product education specialist will generally develop his or her own presentations and often deliver them in person to others, either one-on-one or in groups. The product presentations sometimes also require travel or the ability to use Web-based conferencing tools.