Tamara L. Masters
Woodbury,MN
Summary
Professional with strong background in educational supervision. Skilled in mentoring and guiding educators, fostering collaborative environment, and adapting to changing needs. Proven ability to lead teams, communicate effectively, and achieve results. Highly reliable and focused on enhancing educational outcomes through active engagement and support.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Trainer and Relationship-Based Specialist Support Project Manager
Center for Center of Education and Development (UMN)
06.2024 - Current
- Lead and manage a state-funded professional development project supporting early childhood trainers and coaches across Minnesota, overseeing the development and implementation of comprehensive training programs
- Supervise a diverse team of professionals, delegating tasks to ensure project milestones and deliverables are met
- Lead the analysis of statewide data to drive continuous improvement in professional development efforts
- Build and sustain strong working relationships with local and regional stakeholders, including educational organizations and community leaders, to foster collaboration and system-wide improvements
Professional Development Specialist
Council for Professional Recognition, CDA
09.2022 - Current
- Lead CDA verification visits for infant-toddler, preschool, and home visitor candidates, using the Review, Observe, Reflect model to maintain fidelity and ensure quality
- Act as a primary point of contact for all verification and development activities, guiding candidates and mentoring early childhood professionals in their career development
Professional Development Network Consultant
Teaching Strategies, LLC.
06.2022 - Current
- Spearhead training programs for early childhood educators, tailoring professional development to individual needs and fostering continuous improvement in teaching practices
- Travel extensively to engage with linguistically and culturally diverse teaching teams, enhancing their ability to implement effective curricula and assessment strategies
- Lead the design and facilitation of an8-week Teacher Acceleration Program for the New York City Department of Education, significantly enhancing the quality of early childhood education
Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education
Central College
08.2020 - 05.2024
- Led the creation and implementation of a new Early Childhood/Special Education endorsement program, training future educators in inclusive educational settings
- Mentored and supervised preservice teachers, providing leadership in both classroom and field placement settings, resulting in high-quality experiential learning
- Collaborated with local child care centers and Head Start programs to establish partnerships and offer real-world learning opportunities
Early Childhood Instructional Coach
Drake University Head Start
01.2016 - 01.2020
- Designed and implemented professional development for three Office of Head Start Grants: Head Start, Early Head Start, and Early Head Start Child Care Partnerships
- Facilitated Teacher Learning Communities (TLC) for EHS and HS home visitors, including the Zero to Three Safe Babies Court Team
- Aligned indicators of multiple early childhood data collection tools to streamline teacher development
- These data tools include: ELOF, CLASS, ITERS, ECERS, TPITOS, TPOT, GOLD, and the Iowa Early Learning Standards
- Monitored IDEA Part C for infants and toddlers across multiple programs to guide teachers in making accommodations within their classroom setting
- Trained teachers on social emotional curriculums and frameworks including Second Step, Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, and Conscious Discipline within the MTSS framework
- Analyzed data from the data tools listed above to drive decision making and identify catalysts for systemic quality improvement across multiple programs
Student Teacher Supervisor
Drake University
01.2018
- Facilitated a weekly seminar for student teachers to reflect and connect
- Assessed teacher candidates base on InTASC standards
- Observed teacher candidates in various settings including early childhood, primary grades, ELL classrooms, and special education settings
- Supervised student teachers in a diverse urban setting
Adjunct Instructor of Education
Drake University
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Taught in a hybrid setting utilizing online and in-person instructional strategies over Blackboard and Zoom
- Differentiated between undergraduate and graduate learners simultaneously in cross-listed classes
- Modified and adjusted course syllabus to fit a social constructivist learning style
Infant-Toddler Home Visitor/Parent Educator
Drake University Head Start
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Collaborated with interpreters to provide educational services for families speaking multiple languages: Spanish, Chin Mizo, Chin Hakha, Burmese, Swahili, Yucatec, and Arabic
- Utilized the Parents as Teachers curriculum to provide research-based instruction for families
- Assessed student development using Teaching Strategies GOLD
- Supported families through the referral and identification of IDEA Part C
First Grade Teacher
Ankeny Community Schools
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Built and executed lesson plans in all subject areas
- Served as a district liaison for a new social studies pilot program
- Actively participated in the local professional community through bi-weekly and monthly meetings
- Collected and analyzed data to support beginning and advanced readers in the first grade setting
Reading Recovery Teacher
Lincoln Public Schools
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Devised daily lessons for struggling first grade readers using the Reading Recovery curriculum
- Participated in weekly night classes to learn and strengthen instruction
- Conducted regular lessons in behind-the-glass teaching demonstrations to receive feedback from supervisors and peers
Third Grade Teacher
Lincoln Public Schools
01.2007 - 01.2011
- Differentiated instruction for a fully inclusive classroom with up to40% of the children on Individual Education Plans
- Co-taught with special education teachers to maximize inclusivity for students
- Improved student scores on the district wide writing scores
- Served as district Liaison to the Lincoln Public Schools Foundation
Lead Infant Teacher
Academic Advantage Child Development Center
01.2004 - 01.2009
- Develop and implemented group and individualized lesson plans for infant students
- Fostered a safe learning environment for groups of12 infants
- Trained new staff on best practices and state regulations
Education
Ph.D. - Education and Leadership
Drake University
Des Moines, IA01.2020
ED.S. - Educational Leadership: Literacy
Drake University
Des Moines, IA01.2017
M.Ed. - Early Childhood Education
Concordia College
Seward, NE01.2012
B.S. - Elementary Education
University of Nebraska
Lincoln, NE01.2007
Skills
- Strategic Planning and Project Management
- Team Leadership and Staff Development
- Coaching and Mentoring Educators
- Data-Driven Decision Making
- Collaborative Problem-Solving
- Stakeholder Relationship Management
- Curriculum Design and Implementation
- Public Speaking and Presentation
Certification
- State of Iowa Master Educator, K-6 Teacher Elementary Classroom Endorsement: PreK-Kindergarten (expires 2029)
- Minnesota Tier4 Teaching License, K-6 Teacher Elementary; PreK-Kindergarten Licensure (expires 2029)
- State of Nebraska Teaching License, K-6 General Education (2007)
- Develop-Approved Course Writer pending (Minnesota Center for Professional Development)
- New York Early Childhood Certified Trainer (New York Aspire)
- Michigan Early Childhood Certified Trainer(MiRegistry)
- Pennsylvania Early Childhood Certified Trainer (PAKeys)
- South Carolina Certified Trainer (SC Endeavors)
- Ohio Early Childhood Certified Trainer (OCCRRA)
- Certified Infant CLASS Observer (current, Teachstone, LLC)
- Program for Infants and Toddler Care- Home Visitors (PITC)
- Infant/Toddler PBIS Trainer (2017)
- Parents Interacting with Infants Trainer (2016)
- Certified Toddler CLASS Observer (2016)
- Certified Preschool CLASS Observer (2016)
- Reading Recovery Certificate (2012)
Affiliations
- Iowa Association for Career and Technical Education (IACTE)
- Minnesota Association for the Education of Young Children (MnAEYC)
- National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators (NAECTE)
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Presentations
- Gender Socialization in Infant Classrooms. Central College Endowed Chairs’ Conference. Pella, IA2021.
- High Tech and High Engagement in the Classroom. Co-presented with Dr. Melissa McAninch. The Way Up Conference, Iowa Falls, IA. October2022
- Implementing Rituals and Connections into Daily Routine of ECE Education Classes: An Authentic Pedagogical Approach. National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators Spring Conference, online, June,2022
- Collaboration between PK-12 & TEP: Supporting Area Students. IACTE Fall Institute, online. October2021.
- Meeting Capacity of Teaching Needs Through Coaching. Region VII Head Start Leadership Conference, Kansas City, MO. May2019.
- Using Self-Reflection in Coaching to Improve Student Outcomes. Iowa Association for Early Childhood Fall Institute, Altoona, IA. October2017
- Using Self-Reflection in Coaching to Improve Student Outcomes, Region VII Head Start Leadership Conference, Kansas City, MO. May2017.
- Beyond Lessons to Experiences, Iowa Association for Early Childhood Fall Institute. October2016.
- Improving Early Literacy through Parental Dialogic Reading, Zero to Three Annual Conference. New Orleans, LA. December2016.
Leadership and Service to the Early Childhood Profession
- Chair, Statewide Literacy Leadership Team (Iowa Department of Education), leading initiatives to improve early childhood literacy outcomes across Iowa.
- Co-Chair, Education Department Advisory Council at Central College, leading strategic discussions and recommendations that shaped the department’s approach to teacher preparation and student success.
- Faculty Trustee on the Central College Board of Trustees, contributing to high-level decision-making and governance for the college.
- Peer reviewer for national conferences and journals, demonstrating thought leadership and a commitment to advancing early childhood education practice and research.
Timeline
Trainer and Relationship-Based Specialist Support Project Manager
Center for Center of Education and Development (UMN)
06.2024 - Current
Professional Development Specialist
Council for Professional Recognition, CDA
09.2022 - Current
Professional Development Network Consultant
Teaching Strategies, LLC.
06.2022 - Current
Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education
Central College
08.2020 - 05.2024
Student Teacher Supervisor
Drake University
01.2018
Adjunct Instructor of Education
Drake University
01.2018 - 01.2019
Early Childhood Instructional Coach
Drake University Head Start
01.2016 - 01.2020
Infant-Toddler Home Visitor/Parent Educator
Drake University Head Start
01.2014 - 01.2016
First Grade Teacher
Ankeny Community Schools
01.2012 - 01.2013
Reading Recovery Teacher
Lincoln Public Schools
01.2011 - 01.2012
Third Grade Teacher
Lincoln Public Schools
01.2007 - 01.2011
Lead Infant Teacher
Academic Advantage Child Development Center
01.2004 - 01.2009
ED.S. - Educational Leadership: Literacy
Drake University
M.Ed. - Early Childhood Education
Concordia College
B.S. - Elementary Education
University of Nebraska
- State of Iowa Master Educator, K-6 Teacher Elementary Classroom Endorsement: PreK-Kindergarten (expires 2029)
- Minnesota Tier4 Teaching License, K-6 Teacher Elementary; PreK-Kindergarten Licensure (expires 2029)
- State of Nebraska Teaching License, K-6 General Education (2007)
- Develop-Approved Course Writer pending (Minnesota Center for Professional Development)
- New York Early Childhood Certified Trainer (New York Aspire)
- Michigan Early Childhood Certified Trainer(MiRegistry)
- Pennsylvania Early Childhood Certified Trainer (PAKeys)
- South Carolina Certified Trainer (SC Endeavors)
- Ohio Early Childhood Certified Trainer (OCCRRA)
- Certified Infant CLASS Observer (current, Teachstone, LLC)
- Program for Infants and Toddler Care- Home Visitors (PITC)
- Infant/Toddler PBIS Trainer (2017)
- Parents Interacting with Infants Trainer (2016)
- Certified Toddler CLASS Observer (2016)
- Certified Preschool CLASS Observer (2016)
- Reading Recovery Certificate (2012)
Ph.D. - Education and Leadership
Drake University
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