Our employee of the month is Jacob Stoner from Maryland.
Jacob joined Chess Wizards in the spring of 2022. He loves teaching kids and clearly enjoys his time in the classroom. Jacob is always on time, communicates well with everyone, and makes learning chess easy with his unique teaching style.
Jacob, 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 Jacob below:
1. Who are you, where do you come from, where are you going?
My name is Jacob Stoner. I was born in Boston but did not live there very long. I have lived in Maryland for 14 years. Id eventually like to move west.
2. How long have you been teaching with Chess Wizards?
For two seasons - spring and fall.
3. What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned since you started teaching?
How to teach to different levels of knowledge simultaneously.
4. What is the most exciting experience you have had while playing or teaching chess?
Watching one of my students almost beat me by the end of the session.
5. How do you motivate your students to succeed?
By talking about how young grandmasters are nowadays and by pointing them to additional learning resources. Also encouraging them to practice what I teach them in class.
6. What is your most memorable memory from your time as a Chess Wizard?
My first trophy day.
7. If you could retire tomorrow and never have to worry about money again, what would you do with your time?
Advocacy and philanthropy.
8. What’s your go-to technique for dealing with ‘handful students’?
To wait until the lesson is over and give them one on one attention.
9. What is an unusual place you have been to?
I lived in 4 foreign countries as a child: Kenya, Tanzania, Bolivia and Brazil.
10. Do you have a talent that not many people know about?
I was a competitive sailor for around 8 years.
11. What’s your #1 teaching tip?
To be patient.
12. What’s your favorite classroom Attention Getter?
Chess Puzzles
13. What is something interesting that you’re involved in, outside of Chess Wizards?
Beekeeping
14. If you saw a kangaroo and a chimpanzee playing chess what would you do? Who do you think would win?
I would sit and watch them play their game. The chimpanzee would win.
15. Star Wars, Star Trek, or they’re both lame?
Star wars
16. What do you like most about working with Chess Wizards?
Being able to tailor my lessons around each specific class.