diff --git a/includes/class-hvac-community-events.php b/includes/class-hvac-community-events.php
index f50848b7..4c31eb10 100644
--- a/includes/class-hvac-community-events.php
+++ b/includes/class-hvac-community-events.php
@@ -572,8 +572,9 @@ class HVAC_Community_Events {
 			return '<p>Please log in to view the master dashboard.</p>';
 		}
 		
-		// Check if user has master dashboard permissions - include administrator
-		if (!current_user_can('view_master_dashboard') && !current_user_can('view_all_trainer_data') && !current_user_can('administrator')) {
+		// Check if user has master dashboard permissions - check roles instead of capabilities
+		$user = wp_get_current_user();
+		if (!in_array('hvac_master_trainer', $user->roles) && !current_user_can('manage_options')) {
 			return '<div class="hvac-error">You do not have permission to view the master dashboard. This dashboard is only available to Master Trainers and Administrators.</div>';
 		}
 
@@ -833,14 +834,9 @@ class HVAC_Community_Events {
 			$custom_template = HVAC_PLUGIN_DIR . 'templates/page-trainer-dashboard.php';
 		}
 		
-		// For master dashboard, check if page has custom template
+		// For master dashboard, force our template regardless of WordPress template assignment
 		if (is_page('master-trainer/master-dashboard')) {
-			global $post;
-			$page_template = get_post_meta($post->ID, '_wp_page_template', true);
-			if ($page_template && $page_template !== 'default') {
-				// Let WordPress handle the page template
-				return $template;
-			}
+			$custom_template = HVAC_PLUGIN_DIR . 'templates/page-master-dashboard.php';
 		}
 		
 		// Check for google-sheets page
diff --git a/includes/class-hvac-master-menu-system.php b/includes/class-hvac-master-menu-system.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..05fdb1a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/includes/class-hvac-master-menu-system.php
@@ -0,0 +1,342 @@
+<?php
+/**
+ * HVAC Master Trainer Menu System
+ *
+ * Handles navigation menus specifically for master trainer pages
+ *
+ * @package HVAC_Community_Events
+ * @since 1.0.0
+ */
+
+if (!defined('ABSPATH')) {
+    exit;
+}
+
+class HVAC_Master_Menu_System {
+    
+    /**
+     * Instance of this class
+     *
+     * @var HVAC_Master_Menu_System
+     */
+    private static $instance = null;
+    
+    /**
+     * Get instance of this class
+     *
+     * @return HVAC_Master_Menu_System
+     */
+    public static function instance() {
+        if (self::$instance === null) {
+            self::$instance = new self();
+        }
+        return self::$instance;
+    }
+    
+    /**
+     * Constructor
+     */
+    private function __construct() {
+        // No auto-init hooks - will be called manually on master pages
+    }
+    
+    /**
+     * Check if current page is a master trainer page
+     * 
+     * @return bool
+     */
+    public function is_master_trainer_page() {
+        $current_url = $_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'];
+        
+        // List of master trainer page patterns
+        $master_pages = array(
+            '/master-trainer/master-dashboard/',
+            '/master-trainer/announcements/',
+            '/master-trainer/edit-trainer-profile/',
+            '/master-trainer/communication-templates/',
+            '/master-trainer/google-sheets/',
+            '/master-trainer/trainers/',
+            '/master-trainer/pending-approvals/',
+            '/master-trainer/trainer-stats/',
+            '/master-trainer/import-export/'
+        );
+        
+        foreach ($master_pages as $page) {
+            if (strpos($current_url, $page) !== false) {
+                return true;
+            }
+        }
+        
+        return false;
+    }
+    
+    /**
+     * Render master trainer navigation menu
+     */
+    public function render_master_menu() {
+        // Check if user has master trainer permissions
+        $user = wp_get_current_user();
+        if (!in_array('hvac_master_trainer', $user->roles) && !current_user_can('manage_options')) {
+            return;
+        }
+        
+        $menu_items = $this->get_master_menu_structure();
+        
+        echo '<div class="hvac-master-menu-wrapper">';
+        echo '<nav class="hvac-master-nav" role="navigation">';
+        
+        // Add hamburger button for mobile
+        echo '<button class="hvac-hamburger-menu" id="hvac-master-hamburger-menu" aria-label="Toggle menu" aria-expanded="false">';
+        echo '<span class="hvac-hamburger-line"></span>';
+        echo '<span class="hvac-hamburger-line"></span>';
+        echo '<span class="hvac-hamburger-line"></span>';
+        echo '</button>';
+        
+        echo '<ul class="hvac-master-menu" id="hvac-master-menu">';
+        
+        foreach ($menu_items as $item) {
+            $this->render_menu_item($item);
+        }
+        
+        echo '</ul>';
+        echo '</nav>';
+        echo '</div>';
+    }
+    
+    /**
+     * Get master trainer menu structure
+     * Simplified to 5 essential items following UX best practices
+     */
+    private function get_master_menu_structure() {
+        // Define simplified menu structure (5 primary items max)
+        $menu = array(
+            // Dashboard - Primary landing page
+            array(
+                'title' => esc_html__('Dashboard', 'hvac-community-events'),
+                'url' => home_url('/master-trainer/master-dashboard/'),
+                'icon' => 'dashicons-dashboard',
+                'cap' => 'hvac_master_trainer'
+            ),
+            
+            // Trainers - Core management function
+            array(
+                'title' => esc_html__('Trainers', 'hvac-community-events'),
+                'url' => home_url('/master-trainer/trainers/'),
+                'icon' => 'dashicons-groups',
+                'cap' => 'hvac_master_trainer',
+                'children' => array(
+                    array(
+                        'title' => esc_html__('All Trainers', 'hvac-community-events'),
+                        'url' => home_url('/master-trainer/trainers/'),
+                        'icon' => 'dashicons-list-view',
+                        'cap' => 'hvac_master_trainer'
+                    ),
+                    array(
+                        'title' => esc_html__('Pending Approvals', 'hvac-community-events'),
+                        'url' => home_url('/master-trainer/pending-approvals/'),
+                        'icon' => 'dashicons-clock',
+                        'cap' => 'approve_trainers'
+                    )
+                )
+            ),
+            
+            // Events - Aggregate event management
+            array(
+                'title' => esc_html__('Events', 'hvac-community-events'),
+                'url' => home_url('/master-trainer/events/'),
+                'icon' => 'dashicons-calendar-alt',
+                'cap' => 'view_all_events'
+            ),
+            
+            // Tools - Administrative functions
+            array(
+                'title' => esc_html__('Tools', 'hvac-community-events'),
+                'url' => home_url('/master-trainer/communication-templates/'),
+                'icon' => 'dashicons-admin-tools',
+                'cap' => 'manage_communication_templates',
+                'children' => array(
+                    array(
+                        'title' => esc_html__('Communication Templates', 'hvac-community-events'),
+                        'url' => home_url('/master-trainer/communication-templates/'),
+                        'icon' => 'dashicons-email',
+                        'cap' => 'manage_communication_templates'
+                    ),
+                    array(
+                        'title' => esc_html__('Announcements', 'hvac-community-events'),
+                        'url' => home_url('/master-trainer/announcements/'),
+                        'icon' => 'dashicons-megaphone',
+                        'cap' => 'manage_announcements'
+                    ),
+                    array(
+                        'title' => esc_html__('Import/Export', 'hvac-community-events'),
+                        'url' => home_url('/master-trainer/import-export/'),
+                        'icon' => 'dashicons-database-import',
+                        'cap' => 'import_export_data'
+                    )
+                )
+            ),
+            
+            // Help - Documentation
+            array(
+                'title' => esc_html__('Help', 'hvac-community-events'),
+                'url' => home_url('/trainer/documentation/'),
+                'icon' => 'dashicons-editor-help',
+                'cap' => 'read',
+                'class' => 'hvac-help-menu-item'
+            )
+        );
+        
+        // Allow other plugins to modify menu
+        $menu = apply_filters('hvac_master_menu_items', $menu);
+        
+        // Filter menu items by user capabilities
+        $menu = $this->filter_menu_by_capabilities($menu);
+        
+        return $menu;
+    }
+    
+    /**
+     * Filter menu items by user capabilities
+     * Removes items the current user cannot access
+     *
+     * @param array $menu_items Menu items array
+     * @return array Filtered menu items
+     */
+    private function filter_menu_by_capabilities($menu_items) {
+        $filtered_menu = array();
+        
+        foreach ($menu_items as $item) {
+            // Check if user has capability for this item
+            $required_cap = isset($item['cap']) ? $item['cap'] : 'hvac_master_trainer';
+            
+            if (!current_user_can($required_cap)) {
+                continue; // Skip this item
+            }
+            
+            // Filter children if they exist
+            if (isset($item['children']) && is_array($item['children'])) {
+                $filtered_children = array();
+                
+                foreach ($item['children'] as $child) {
+                    $child_cap = isset($child['cap']) ? $child['cap'] : 'hvac_master_trainer';
+                    
+                    if (current_user_can($child_cap)) {
+                        $filtered_children[] = $child;
+                    }
+                }
+                
+                // Only include parent if it has accessible children or is directly accessible
+                if (!empty($filtered_children)) {
+                    $item['children'] = $filtered_children;
+                    $filtered_menu[] = $item;
+                } elseif (!isset($item['children']) || empty($item['children'])) {
+                    // Include parent items without children
+                    $filtered_menu[] = $item;
+                }
+            } else {
+                // Include items without children
+                $filtered_menu[] = $item;
+            }
+        }
+        
+        return $filtered_menu;
+    }
+    
+    /**
+     * Render a single menu item
+     *
+     * @param array $item Menu item configuration
+     */
+    private function render_menu_item($item) {
+        $has_children = !empty($item['children']);
+        $current_url = $_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'];
+        
+        // Check if this item or any of its children are active
+        $is_active = $this->is_menu_item_active($item, $current_url);
+        
+        $li_classes = array('menu-item');
+        if ($is_active) {
+            $li_classes[] = 'current-menu-item';
+        }
+        if ($has_children) {
+            $li_classes[] = 'has-children';
+        }
+        if (!empty($item['class'])) {
+            $li_classes[] = $item['class'];
+        }
+        
+        echo '<li class="' . implode(' ', $li_classes) . '">';
+        
+        // Main link
+        $link_attrs = array(
+            'href="' . esc_url($item['url']) . '"'
+        );
+        
+        if ($has_children) {
+            $link_attrs[] = 'aria-haspopup="true"';
+            $link_attrs[] = 'aria-expanded="false"';
+        }
+        
+        echo '<a ' . implode(' ', $link_attrs) . '>';
+        
+        if (!empty($item['icon'])) {
+            echo '<span class="dashicons ' . esc_attr($item['icon']) . '"></span>';
+        }
+        
+        echo '<span class="menu-title">' . esc_html($item['title']) . '</span>';
+        
+        if ($has_children) {
+            echo '<span class="menu-toggle" aria-hidden="true"></span>';
+        }
+        
+        echo '</a>';
+        
+        // Children
+        if ($has_children) {
+            echo '<ul class="sub-menu">';
+            foreach ($item['children'] as $child) {
+                $this->render_menu_item($child);
+            }
+            echo '</ul>';
+        }
+        
+        echo '</li>';
+    }
+    
+    /**
+     * Check if menu item is active
+     *
+     * @param array $item Menu item
+     * @param string $current_url Current URL
+     * @return bool
+     */
+    private function is_menu_item_active($item, $current_url) {
+        // Clean URLs for comparison
+        $item_path = parse_url($item['url'], PHP_URL_PATH);
+        $current_path = parse_url($current_url, PHP_URL_PATH);
+        
+        // Check exact match
+        if ($item_path === $current_path) {
+            return true;
+        }
+        
+        // Check if current URL starts with item URL (for parent items)
+        if (!empty($item_path) && $item_path !== '/' && strpos($current_path, $item_path) === 0) {
+            return true;
+        }
+        
+        // Check children
+        if (!empty($item['children'])) {
+            foreach ($item['children'] as $child) {
+                if ($this->is_menu_item_active($child, $current_url)) {
+                    return true;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        
+        return false;
+    }
+}
+
+// Initialize the class
+HVAC_Master_Menu_System::instance();
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/templates/page-master-dashboard.php b/templates/page-master-dashboard.php
index 04a47291..1ec5efb4 100644
--- a/templates/page-master-dashboard.php
+++ b/templates/page-master-dashboard.php
@@ -9,24 +9,41 @@ define('HVAC_IN_PAGE_TEMPLATE', true);
 
 get_header();
 
-// Debug output
-echo '<!-- page-master-dashboard.php template loaded -->';
-echo '<!-- Page ID: ' . get_the_ID() . ' -->';
-echo '<!-- Page Title: ' . get_the_title() . ' -->';
-
-// Force render the master dashboard content directly
-if (class_exists('HVAC_Community_Events')) {
-    $hvac = HVAC_Community_Events::instance();
-    if (method_exists($hvac, 'render_master_dashboard')) {
-        echo '<!-- Calling render_master_dashboard directly -->';
-        echo $hvac->render_master_dashboard();
-    } else {
-        echo '<!-- render_master_dashboard method not found -->';
-        echo do_shortcode('[hvac_master_dashboard]');
-    }
-} else {
-    echo '<!-- HVAC_Community_Events class not found -->';
-    echo do_shortcode('[hvac_master_dashboard]');
+// Check master trainer permissions FIRST
+$user = wp_get_current_user();
+if (!in_array('hvac_master_trainer', $user->roles) && !current_user_can('manage_options')) {
+    ?>
+    <div class="hvac-page-wrapper">
+        <div class="container">
+            <h1>Access Denied</h1>
+            <p>You do not have permission to access this page.</p>
+            <p>If you believe this is an error, please contact an administrator.</p>
+            <a href="<?php echo home_url(); ?>" class="button">Return to Home</a>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+    <?php
+    get_footer();
+    exit;
 }
 
+// Render master trainer navigation
+if (class_exists('HVAC_Master_Menu_System')) {
+    $master_menu = HVAC_Master_Menu_System::instance();
+    $master_menu->render_master_menu();
+}
+
+// Render breadcrumbs
+if (class_exists('HVAC_Breadcrumbs')) {
+    HVAC_Breadcrumbs::render();
+}
+
+echo '<div class="hvac-page-wrapper hvac-master-dashboard-page">';
+echo '<div class="container">';
+
+// Render the master dashboard content directly (bypassing shortcode processing)
+include HVAC_PLUGIN_DIR . 'templates/template-hvac-master-dashboard.php';
+
+echo '</div>'; // .container
+echo '</div>'; // .hvac-page-wrapper
+
 get_footer();