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What does a master teacher do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Diana Jones

A master teacher has mastered the basics of teaching and goes the extra mile to ensure every student has a positive learning experience. Their duties include conducting regular monitoring, adjusting their teaching strategy where necessary, engaging in systematic problem solving, and teaching personal accountability. Qualifications for this position include a master teacher certification.

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Master teacher responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real master teacher resumes:

  • Execute and manage student IEP paperwork and requirements
  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Provide city-wide staff development to teachers during mathematics textbook implementation.
  • Develop summer science camp and focus field trip curriculum for pre-K through middle school levels.
  • Develop and implement weekly lesson plans that are consistent with the program curriculum and pre-K guidelines.
  • Implement multiple curricula for 5th and 6th grade students, including mathematics, science, literacy, and history.
  • Assist in the development of individual educational plans (IEP) design to promote educational, physical and social development.
  • Supervise implementation of math curriculum.
  • Employ hands-on instructional techniques design to contextualize math in real-world scenarios.
  • Teach multi-level ESL classes to university-bound, international students and/or non-native, English-speaking professionals.
  • Develop and implement age-appropriate curriculum for toddler program, ensuring that appropriate opportunities are provided in order to maximize learning potential.
  • Set up the physical environment to meet the changing needs of infants and toddlers in accordance with ECERS and ITERS-R assessments.

Master teacher skills and personality traits

We calculated that 17% of Master Teachers are proficient in Classroom Management, Math, and Instructional Strategies. They’re also known for soft skills such as Physical stamina, Communication skills, and Patience.

We break down the percentage of Master Teachers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Classroom Management, 17%

    Assisted early childhood educators with curriculum development, assessment of students and classroom management.

  • Math, 7%

    Aligned Secondary Math and Science Standards across the district to ensure accountability and accessibility of curriculum to all students.

  • Instructional Strategies, 7%

    Model effective instructional strategies and conducts classroom visits with follow-up opportunities for collaboration reflection.

  • Mathematics, 5%

    Increased students SAT scores in mathematics by an average of 37 points in 4 months.

  • Team Planning, 5%

    Administered these specialized evaluations and participated in collective team planning meetings.

  • Child Care, 5%

    Revised the Parent Handbook to better reflect policies and procedures throughout the agency by collaborating with the Child Care Core team.

"classroom management," "math," and "instructional strategies" are among the most common skills that master teachers use at work. You can find even more master teacher responsibilities below, including:

Physical stamina. One of the key soft skills for a master teacher to have is physical stamina. You can see how this relates to what master teachers do because "working with kindergarten- and elementary-age students can be tiring." Additionally, a master teacher resume shows how master teachers use physical stamina: "support classroom environment conducive to effectively learn and appropriate for the physical, social, and emotional development of all students. "

Communication skills. Many master teacher duties rely on communication skills. "teachers need to discuss students’ needs with parents and administrators," so a master teacher will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways master teacher responsibilities rely on communication skills: "supported children's emotional and social development by adapting communication tactics for differing clientneeds. "

Patience. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of master teachers is patience. This skill is critical to many everyday master teacher duties, as "kindergarten and elementary school teachers must respond with patience when students struggle with material." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "assisted the primary instructor in an early learning environment by demonstrating skills in communication, instruction, patience, and creativity. "

See the full list of master teacher skills

The three companies that hire the most master teachers are:

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Compare different master teachers

Master teacher vs. Teacher associate

A teacher associate is responsible for assisting the teacher in classroom operations and providing teaching support for the students. Teacher associates develop learning materials according to the instructions of the headteachers, helping them to track students' progress and observing class behaviors. They also take class responsibility if the teacher is away, ensuring to keep activity records and attendance for reference. A teacher associate must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in handling students' difficulties and working with the teacher to develop techniques to address those challenges.

We looked at the average master teacher salary and compared it with the wages of a teacher associate. Generally speaking, teacher associates are paid $4,692 lower than master teachers per year.Even though master teachers and teacher associates are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require classroom management, math, and mathematics in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, master teacher responsibilities require skills like "instructional strategies," "team planning," "student achievement," and "student learning." Meanwhile a typical teacher associate has skills in areas such as "cleanliness," "behavior management," "physical health," and "bulletin boards." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Teacher associates tend to make the most money working in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $32,745. In contrast, master teachers make the biggest average salary, $43,635, in the education industry.teacher associates tend to reach lower levels of education than master teachers. In fact, teacher associates are 15.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.0% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Master teacher vs. Elementary school teacher

Elementary school teachers are trained to provide education to children from kindergarten through fifth grade. The teachers are responsible for children's emotional and educational growth in the classroom. They manage the resources and materials to be used for their education. It is part of their duties to evaluate the students' performance, social development, physical health, and behavior. Also, they adapt to teaching methods and instructions to meet the interests and needs of the children.

On average, elementary school teachers earn a $13,462 higher salary than master teachers a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Master teachers and elementary school teachers both require similar skills like "classroom management," "math," and "instructional strategies" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that master teacher responsibilities requires skills like "child care," "child development," "cpr," and "staff development." But an elementary school teacher might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "professional development," "instructional materials," "public schools," and "state standards."

Elementary school teachers earn a higher average salary than master teachers. But elementary school teachers earn the highest pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $56,048. Additionally, master teachers earn the highest salaries in the education with average pay of $43,635 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Elementary school teachers tend to reach lower levels of education than master teachers. In fact, they're 6.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for master teachers in the next 3-5 years?

Dr. Diana JonesDr. Diana Jones LinkedIn profile

Chair, Department of Kinesiology, Anderson University

Technology in the next 3-5 years -- That is a tough question because technology is continually changing. However, I would say whatever learning system their school provides (e.g., Canvas, Blackboard, etc.), they should get to know. Also, the technology that involves making/editing videos of teaching would be necessary. The technique that includes exercise, fitness, sports such as heart rate monitors, Fitbits, etc. Finally, a technology that allows interactions between teachers and students and students and students.

Master teacher vs. Long term substitute teacher

A long term substitute teacher is responsible for covering the duties of a teacher who is away for a long time. Long term substitute teachers proceed with the lesson plan outlines and the regular teacher's curriculum depending on their expertise. They monitor and assess the students' behavior, create an engaging learning environment, evaluate the students' learning progress by conducting a series of tests, create reports of the students' performance, and help students struggling with the subject.

On average, long term substitute teachers earn higher salaries than master teachers, with a $4,109 difference per year.By looking over several master teachers and long term substitute teachers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "classroom management," "math," and "classroom environment." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, master teachers are more likely to have skills like "instructional strategies," "mathematics," "team planning," and "child care." But a long term substitute teacher is more likely to have skills like "long-term substitute," "public schools," "professional development," and "kindergarten."

Long term substitute teachers make a very good living in the education industry with an average annual salary of $44,729. On the other hand, master teachers are paid the highest salary in the education industry, with average annual pay of $43,635.Most long term substitute teachers achieve a lower degree level compared to master teachers. For example, they're 5.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Master teacher vs. Learning support teacher

Learning support teachers focus on offering out-of-school education to pupils who need additional help. Their duties include planning and implementing constructive teaching policies as well as collaborating with parents, other relevant professionals, and personnel. They assist pupils in adapting and overcoming problems that emerge due to learning difficulties. Also, the design and foster suitable skills and social abilities as well as motivate students to develop independence, self-confidence, and to achieve their full potential. Additionally, they develop and deliver lessons as well as record and assess children's progress.

Learning support teachers typically earn lower pay than master teachers. On average, learning support teachers earn a $4,785 lower salary per year.While their salaries may vary, master teachers and learning support teachers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "classroom management," "math," and "instructional strategies. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "team planning," "child care," "child development," and "cpr" are skills that commonly show up on master teacher resumes. On the other hand, learning support teachers use skills like general education curriculum, academic support, study, and instructional support on their resumes.In general, learning support teachers earn the most working in the education industry, with an average salary of $35,976. The highest-paying industry for a master teacher is the education industry.The average resume of learning support teachers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to master teachers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 3.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 1.1%.

Types of master teacher

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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