Our employee of the month is Maggie Thomas from Michigan!
Maggie Thomas has a unique and playful teaching style that is very effective, especially with younger beginner students. Despite the challenges of being a college student, Maggie has consistently worked to improve her skills as a chess instructor. It is a pleasure to have her on the Michigan team.
Maggie, 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.
Cheсk out our interview with Maggie below:
1. Who are you, where do you come from, where are you going?
Hi! My name is Maggie Thomas, I’m from Ypsilanti, Michigan, and am a junior at Eastern Michigan University. I’m expecting to graduate in 2026 with a bachelor's in International Business Entrepreneurship. When I’m not in school or working, you can find me on a pickleball court, or doing karaoke with friends!
2. How long have you been teaching with Chess Wizards?
Since winter of 2022, so about 3 years.
3. What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned since you started teaching?
The most valuable thing that I've learned is the importance of building rapport with each individual student. Before class starts, I always give the students an opportunity to talk about things non-chess related. I find that students are more involved and active in the lesson when they feel comfortable sharing their thoughts. Sharing non-chess thoughts before class helps them focus on chess during class.
4. What is the most exciting experience you have had while playing or teaching chess?
Seeing the different variation games that the students make up is very fun to witness. I enjoy seeing the creative moves they make for the pieces and the silly rules they made.
5. How do you motivate your students to succeed?
By figuring out what motivates them. Every child is different, so reasons for playing chess are different too. I do my best to work with my students to identify goals and rewards that are significant to them. For example, on trophy/ tournament days I give the student a choice of a dance party or to play a non-chess related game as a reward for completing the tournament and class.
6. If you could retire tomorrow and never have to worry about money again, what would you do with your time?
Karaoke to my heart's content.
7. What’s your go-to technique for dealing with ‘handful students’?
We do a 2-minute mindful break to calm them down after speaking with them about the problem.
8. What is an unusual place you have been to?
New York City. I have a friend who is a resident there and she has shown me a lot of places that most locals would know.
9. Do you have a talent that not many people know about?
I’m trained in cosmetology. I specifically braid hair, but I only do it for fun, not business. I have a few people that know about this and a couple of them get their hair done by me.
10. What’s your #1 teaching tip?
Remember that you don’t have to do everything alone, the kids are always happy to lend a helping hand (very useful for setting and cleaning up supplies!)
11. What is something interesting that you’re involved in, outside of Chess Wizards?
Outside of Chess Wizards I’m involved in pickleball clubs and the UofM snowboarding club too. I love being active, especially in the summer, I will play pickleball every day for hours. I also snowboard here and there in the winter, but the UofM snowboard club community has my heart.
12. If you saw a kangaroo and a chimpanzee playing chess what would you do? Who do you think would win?
I would record, sit down and watch. I can’t pass a moment like that up. A kangaroo would win a physical game, but I think chimpanzees could outsmart a kangaroo in a mental game like chess.
13. Star Wars, Star Trek, or they’re both lame?
STAR WARSSSSSSS
14. What do you like most about working with Chess Wizards?
I love working with Chess Wizards because of the flexibility and the friendly school environments I get to be a part of. I’m currently in school dealing with lots of assignments and difficult classes, but I’m still able to work due to the flexibility that Chess Wizards offers. Additionally, as a working student, it’s a relief to not worry about working in stressful and unwelcoming environments. The schools I’ve worked at have incredibly kind, inviting, and filled with lovely and helpful people, from the staff to the students.