Our employee of the month is Logan Custer from Colorado.
Logan is extremely punctual, reliable, professional and flexible. He has fantastic teaching methods and classroom management skills that allow him to excel as a Chess teacher. Kids love him and always request to have him back for their teacher. Logan has been willing to go out of his way to ensure our programs integrity and to implement our Chess Wizards mission statement.
Logan, thank you for being such an outstanding employee and teacher!
To show our appreciation for your dedication and hard work – please check your email this week for a special gift from us.
Check out our interview with Logan below:
1. Who are you, where do you come from, where are you going?
Hi I’m Logan! I’ve been living in Colorado most of my life and am looking forward to getting married next summer!
2. How long have you been teaching with Chess Wizards?
Almost 7 years
3. What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned since you started teaching?
How important consistent structure is for a class to run smooth.
4. What is the most exciting experience you have had while playing or teaching chess?
Oh gosh I prefer the unexciting days. But over the years I’ve taught classes at schools in lockdown, had kids throw up in the middle of lesson and have had to manage cases of bullying.
5. How do you motivate your students to succeed?
A combination of using points to have them work towards their trophies and engaging them with new ideas and ways to play.
6. What is your most memorable memory from your time as a Chess Wizard?
Gosh, they really do blur together. But teaching at a chess day camp in Portland this last year was an amazing experience. I got to work with a class full of of kindergarteners and it really helped me think outside of the box when it came to keeping them engaged.
7. If you could retire tomorrow and never have to worry about money again, what would you do with your time?
Theater, philosophy, games and spend lots of time with friends and family.
8. What’s your go-to technique for dealing with ‘handful students’?
First I always ask them what’s going on and check in to see if there is something they need. Kids don’t act out for no reason and I can often provide what they need. I also find just communicating with them and letting them know why their behavior is making class hard for everyone does the trick.
9. What is an unusual place you have been to?
Butte Montana is weird. I visited during wildfire season, couldn’t see 100ft through the smoke and we made a trip to a toxic lake. It was surreal.
10. Do you have a talent that not many people know about?
I’m a lighting designer and director.
11. What’s your #1 teaching tip?
A class needs respect, structure and learning opportunities for creativity and fun to flourish.
12. What’s your favorite classroom Attention Getter?
Just the basic Clap, Clap, triple Clap
13. What is something interesting that you’re involved in, outside of Chess Wizards?
I have a D&D group that meets every Sunday.
14. If you saw a kangaroo and a chimpanzee playing chess what would you do? Who do you think would win?
Probably check to see if I was dreaming. I mean I think we all win if this happens.
15. Star Wars, Star Trek, or they’re both lame?
I down with both.
16. What do you like most about working with Chess Wizards?
Being part of the legacy of Chess and passing it down through the generations.