Master Teacher

Priority Dispatch Corp.; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Generous PTO and paid holidays

403(b) plan

Training programs

Diversity & inclusion support

Program discounts

Job summary

The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago seeks a Master Teacher for its early learning program. The role leads instructional delivery, manages classrooms, and guides assessment to support 3- to 5-year-olds in a positive, inclusive setting.

You will plan curriculum, ensure safety, and promote social-emotional, cognitive, and physical development in readiness for school, while engaging families and adhering to standards.

Qualifications

• Official transcripts verifying educational qualifications relevant to early childhood education.
• Valid credentials or certifications such as ECE certification, CDA credential, or state licenses.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate and promote high-quality teaching and learning in the classroom.
• Build a safe, orderly, and inclusive classroom environment.
• Plan and implement daily lesson plans aligned to approved curriculum.
• Support family engagement and regular parent/teacher communication.
• Administer and document ongoing development using screening tools.

Skills

Curriculum planning

Classroom management

Assessment

Inclusion & equity

Education

Official transcripts

ECE certification

CDA credential

State teaching licenses

Job description

## DescriptionThe 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, in a positive, inclusive, and supportive classroom climate.The **Master Teacher** provides effective instructional strategies, classroom management, assessment, evaluation, and related research for children ages 3-5, in a positive, inclusive, and supportive classroom climate. Responsibilities include planning, curriculum implementation, and learning experiences that provide essential opportunities to develop social/emotional abilities and interactions, practice problem solving and academic skills, and advance the intellectual and physical development readiness of children for school. The Master Teacher maintains a safe and healthy environment and ensures that the individual needs of the children are met, in with accordance performance and outcome standards, as prescribed by agency funding partners, federal, state, and local standards, and organizational goals and values.***Salary range is $60,361.60-$69,139.20 per year depending on qualifications and certifications*****Application Requirements:**To be considered for a position in our early learning program, applicants must submit the following with their application:* **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.**Our staff is the Y's greatest asset. Our teams provide valuable skills, knowledge, and passion that is essential to the contribution and positive impact in our communities, which is why we offer Y employees numerous perks and benefits, including:*** **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 in which children are encouraged to participate as individuals as well 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 which includes a balance of teacher and child-directed activities, choice time, small and large group, content physical and outdoor activities, effective transitions, meals, and rest period.* 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 the cultural, linguistic family values and beliefs into the classroom and lesson plans.* Incorporate rigorous academic instruction for English Language Learners (ELLs) that will support children's academic, intellectual, and linguistic development.* Promote and reinforce family engagement in all aspects of the program and awareness through a variety of methods and ensure parents receive adequate information about their child's experiences through regular contacts, and 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/ideas.* Participate and support agency/center efforts toward recruitment, enrollment, attendance, and retention of eligible families.* Provides 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 and ensures 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 the children's varying strengths, needs, interests, and abilities* Guide and facilitate lesson plans which 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/meeting to plan, discuss strategies, review children's data, meetings and provide guidance and support to 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 the identified screening and assessment tools, at established intervals; and provide guidance and assistance to parents with completion of parents questionnaires* Observe children daily to determine and support social/emotional, cognitive, perceptual, physical, language, mathematics, and scientific reasoning skills, interests, and needs; and 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 works samples and quarterly developmental assessment* Input classroom data weekly into appropriate information systems* Perform recordkeeping responsibilities for children and