Our employee of the month is Max Fu from New Jersey!
Max was nominated as our January Wizard of the Month because of his outstanding participation and willingness to take on a variety of classes, showing incredible flexibility and commitment. He has proven to be a reliable team player, always stepping up to support others when needed. His dedication and positive attitude make him an invaluable member of the ChessWizards community, and this recognition is well-deserved.
Max, 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 Max below:
1. Who are you, where do you come from, where are you going?
My name is Max Fu. I was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania before my family moved to Edison, New Jersey. I currently reside in Franklin Park in Somerset County. I am willing to go anywhere as long as I’m content with my decision at the moment.
2. How long have you been teaching with Chess Wizards?
I’ve been teaching with Chess Wizards for a couple of years now.
3. What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned since you started teaching?
Since I’ve embarked on my instructing expedition with Chess Wizards, I realized that we’re all somewhat a reenactment of our environment and a byproduct of our upbringing.
4. What is the most exciting experience you have had while playing or teaching chess?
This inquiry actually sums up what constitutes my affinity for chess because my most exciting experience was becoming a chess instructor after countless years of being a competitive chess player.
5. How do you motivate your students to succeed?
My students are more incentivized to learn (in addition to playing) chess when informing them about some good redeeming qualities that I’ve noticed in their presence as hopefully an ideal conduit to highlight their victories and help them acknowledge the light at the end of their diligence.
6. If you could retire tomorrow and never have to worry about money again, what would you do with your time?
I would love to travel around the world and explore new cultural norms and enriching customs as long as I carry a chess set with me.
7. What’s your go-to technique for dealing with ‘handful students’?
When a student poses a challenge to me, I would gladly take the time to know where being a ‘handful’ emanates from in order to get to the root impetus of certain behavioral patterns. Consequently, we can both discuss on being more inundated on setting transparent expectations, airing out any potential concerns or grievances, and utilizing positive reinforcement tactics to uplift every pupil within the classroom in an effort to erect the utopian nirvana that is conducive to a greater learning environment.
8. What is an unusual place you have been to?
I’ve been an avid fan and ardent reader of Weird New Jersey or Weird USA. Once I was able to drive, I would traverse my way to the most intriguing destinations that would captivate my interest so there’s really no unusual place for me when doing the unusual is already a usual hobby.
9. Do you have a talent that not many people know about?
I possess an extremely keen memory which allowed me to become really astute at playing chess before eventually bestowing the knowledge to my students as a chess instructor.
10. What’s your #1 teaching tip?
My top teaching tip before initiating any lecture is to build a healthy relationship with each student by simply asking what brings them to chess so I can understand their intentions better while building a genuine connection with the class.
11. What is something interesting that you’re involved in, outside of Chess Wizards?
My hobbies include traveling, fishing and fishkeeping, exercising at the gym, walking at least 10,000 steps per day, collecting and reselling trendy items (i.e. sneakers, clothing, fitted hats, Stanley cups, Funko Pops, etc.), checking into new places on Facebook (especially regional chain restaurants), staying updated with my favorite shows and film series, and supporting all of my Philadelphia sports teams.
12. If you saw a kangaroo and a chimpanzee playing chess what would you do? Who do you think would win?
I would take a picture of it and inform everyone about such a phenomenon. Chimps are more closely related to humans than any other species so the chimp should win under the presumption that the kangaroo didn’t get a good kickstart.
13. Star Wars, Star Trek, or they’re both lame?
Star Wars should win me over by default since most of the Star Trek movies were released prior to my mere existence.
14. What do you like most about working with Chess Wizards?
What I like the most about working with Chess Wizards is literally the same rationale that compelled me to work with Chess Wizards from the very beginning in which I get to be around the game that I love unconditionally. The feeling is just indescribable.