Master Teacher

YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,361 - 69,139; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance

Generous PTO and paid holidays

403(b) plan with company contributions

Continuous learning opportunities

Discounts on programs

Job summary

A community-focused organization in Chicago is seeking a full-time Master Teacher for its early learning programs. This role involves creating a positive classroom environment for children ages 3-5, implementing curriculum, and ensuring developmental readiness for school. Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, with effective organizational and planning skills essential for managing the educational needs of diverse learners. Benefits include health insurance and a supportive workplace culture.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of experience in preschool/pre-kindergarten required.
• Knowledge of curriculum design principles and teaching methods.
• Ability to build rapport with diverse populations.

Responsibilities

• Plan curriculum and implement learning experiences for children aged 3-5.
• Maintain a safe and healthy classroom environment.
• Guide lesson plans incorporating cultural sensitivity and academic readiness.

Skills

Effective organizational skills

Planning skills

Group management

Proficient verbal communication

Cultural sensitivity

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education

PEL certification

Tools

Microsoft Office Word

Job description

The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago is hiring a full-time Master Teacher for our early learning programs. The Master Teacher provides effective instructional strategies, classroom management, assessment, evaluation, and related research for children ages 3-5, creating a positive, inclusive, and supportive classroom climate. Responsibilities include planning, curriculum implementation, and learning experiences that develop social/emotional skills, problem solving, academic skills, and advance children’s intellectual and physical development readiness for school, while maintaining a safe and healthy environment and ensuring individual needs of the children are met in accordance with performance and outcome standards.

Salary range

Salary range is $60,361.60-$69,139.20 per year depending on qualifications and certifications

Application Requirements

• Official transcripts from accredited institutions verifying educational qualifications relevant to early childhood education.
• Valid credentials or certifications, such as Early Childhood Education (ECE) certification, Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, or state‑specific teaching licenses.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries reflecting your skills and experience.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees, plus wellness programs, mental health resources, and a family gym membership.
• Generous PTO and paid holidays, with flexible work hours for work‑life balance.
• 403(b) plan with company contributions for eligible employees after 2 years of service.
• Continuous learning opportunities through workshops and training programs.
• Supportive work environment valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Discounts on programs, employee assistance programs, and company‑sponsored events.

Scope Of Responsibilities

• Demonstrate and promote high‑quality teaching and learning in the classroom that fosters academic readiness.
• Build a safe, orderly, and inclusive classroom environment where children are encouraged to participate as individuals and as members of the classroom community.
• Exhibit enthusiasm and interpersonal skills to relate well with children, parents, co‑workers, administrators, and the community.
• Introduce and follow a consistent daily schedule including a balance of teacher‑ and child‑directed activities, choice time, small and large group, content, physical, and outdoor activities, effective transitions, meals, and rest periods.
• Emphasize aspects of math, literacy, and cultural diversity in all aspects of the program.
• Demonstrate competency and respect for families’ social‑cultural background by incorporating cultural, linguistic, family values and beliefs into the classroom and lesson plans.
• Incorporate rigorous academic instruction for English Language Learners (ELLs) that supports children’s academic, intellectual, and linguistic development.
• Promote and reinforce family engagement in all aspects of the program and increase awareness through a variety of methods, ensuring parents receive adequate information about their child’s experiences through regular contacts, scheduled home visits, and parent/teacher conferences.
• Utilize fidelity measures to support the implementation of English Language Learner programs and to inform linguistic and culturally responsive practices.
• Develop a professional rapport and work cooperatively with adults assigned to the classroom, establishing clear expectations for roles and responsibilities, and to share and exchange information and ideas.
• Participate and support agency/center efforts toward recruitment, enrollment, attendance, and retention of eligible families.
• Provide functional training and guidance to staff, interns, substitutes, and volunteers assigned to the classroom.
• Maintain regular job attendance, professionalism in attire and demeanor, observe and respect issues of confidentiality, ethics, and best practices.
• Accept and perform other duties or responsibilities assigned.
• Participate in ongoing development and evaluation of the center’s goals and objectives.
• Discreetly handle sensitive information and maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Support the YMCA’s mission and center operations as needed.

Lesson Planning and Classroom Management

• Maintain awareness and supervision of the needs of the entire classroom, ensuring the health and physical safety of children at all times.
• Lead responsibility to plan and implement appropriate daily lesson plans based upon the approved curriculum that promotes cultural sensitivity and the cognitive, language, social/emotional, and physical development of children.
• Create daily opportunities that introduce math and literacy concepts using a variety of approaches.
• Prepare classroom environment and materials to support curriculum and learning experiences.
• Individualize and adjust activities, instructional methods, and environment to meet children’s varying strengths, needs, interests, and abilities.
• Guide and facilitate lesson plans that reflect mandated elements that integrate health, nutrition, mental health, and parents’ involvement.
• Implement studies/projects for an in-depth investigation of a topic over time, and arrange for special guests and field trips to enhance children’s learning experiences.
• Convene team planning and meetings to review children’s data and provide guidance and support to the classroom team in implementing the curriculum with fidelity.
• Provide opportunities for parent participation in classroom activities and parent/child activities at home.
• Complete quarterly inventory of classroom to identify and prioritize equipment and supplies needed, and coordinate with site director in making purchases.
• Organize and label materials, arrange and change furnishings to maintain and encourage new learning, and appropriately display children’s work and their families.

Assist in Evaluations, Assessments, and Reports

• Administer and accurately document ongoing development using identified screening and assessment tools at established intervals; provide guidance and assistance to parents with completion of parent questionnaires.
• Observe children daily to determine and support social/emotional, cognitive, perceptual, physical, language, mathematics, and scientific reasoning skills, interests, and needs; use this information to inform planning and facilitate learning.
• Complete observation and quarterly assessment of children according to the methods of Teaching Strategies GOLD.
• Enter data for children into the appropriate information systems according to set guidelines and timeframes.
• Attend internal staffing with FSW and participate in any additional staffing on children suspected or identified with special needs, and assist with the completion of referrals for further evaluation.
• Maintain an ongoing comprehensive portfolio for each child, including work samples and quarterly developmental assessment.
• Input classroom data weekly into appropriate information systems.
• Perform record‑keeping responsibilities for children and the classroom function.
• Generate and complete reports, using them to inform planning and information sharing with others.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field and PEL certification or signed contingency to obtain; bilingual or ESL endorsement may be desired based on program needs.
• 1–3 years of experience in preschool/pre‑kindergarten required and knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum design and teaching and instruction.
• Effective organizational, planning, and group management skills with children.
• Commitment to, and a passion for, the YMCA of Metro Chicago’s mission.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to tailor communication to different audiences.
• Ability to build rapport and respect the cultural and socioeconomic diversity of the population served.
• Continuous learner who leverages opportunities for learning and applies new knowledge and skills.
• Travel in Chicago area communities for family home visits and training.
• Maintain accurate and complete records and documentation as needed.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Word, email and the ability to learn and adapt to new technology.
• Must pass DCFS background check and maintain clearance throughout employment.
• Demonstrates evidence of YMCA leader competencies in previous experience or practice.
• Willing and able to work flexible hours to accommodate program needs.
• Meet required physical qualifications and annual requirements, as outlined in the job description.
• The YMCA will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities.
• This position is a union position.

Child Abuse Prevention

• Reporting any items that may provide a health or safety hazard to staff, members, or guests to your supervisor.
• Following all policies and procedures related to keeping children safe in our facilities and programs, including those related to monitoring and supervision of children.
• Reporting any suspicious behavior and violation of policy and procedures to your supervisor.
• Completing all child abuse prevention training as required.