Our employee of the month is Damian Sanford from Reno, Nevada!
Damian has a great attitude. She is a fun teacher, has built great relationships with her students, and is well-liked by every school she goes to.
Damian, 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 Damian below:
1. Who are you, where do you come from, where are you going?
Hi all- My name is Damian Sanford. I was born in Sacramento, CA and currently live in Reno, NV. In addition to playing lots of chess (of course), I am an avid skier. I have worked in Tahoe at various resorts as a Ski Instructor and Lift Operator for about 6 seasons now. My other hobby is pool (billiards) and my dream is to one day go pro. I attend the University of Nevada, Reno as a Philosophy major and English Literature minor with intended graduation being Spring of ‘26. For my “big girl job” after I graduate, I would love to pursue graduate school and become a professor or become an editor.
2. How long have you been teaching with Chess Wizards?
About a year and a half.
3. What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned since you started teaching?
Teaching is the best way to learn. Having to articulate concepts that seem simple at first pass can reveal more than one would think.
4. What is the most exciting experience you have had while playing or teaching chess?
There has not been just one particular moment because every time a kid really starts to get something that they weren’t understanding before and gets stoked on it, I get excited as well. It’s super cool to see the kids' retention when it happens. For example, I had a 5 year old in multiple of my sessions last school year, and watching her go from just pushing all her pawns out to employing actual strategy and further, being able to verbalize what she was doing was incredible.
5. How do you motivate your students to succeed?
I have a prize bin! Also, I try to explain to them how chess can teach them valuable life skills like critical thinking/reasoning, strategy, patience, etc. So I tell them that they’re not just playing a game, they are gaining integral knowledge that will grow their brains and their success.
6. If you could retire tomorrow and never have to worry about money again, what would you do with your time?
Ski and play pool! Travel!
7. What’s your go-to technique for dealing with ‘handful students’?
I will directly call students out if they are being the problem and tell them what they are doing wrong and how to fix it. That tends to create a space where the kids hold each other accountable. I’ll stand at the front of the classroom and say “I’ll wait, you’re using up your own playtime right now and stopping the people that want to learn from listening” if it’s more than one student at a time. I use the “three strikes” system, and after a third warning I often ask a child to leave the room for about 5 minutes if there’s another adult onsite to reset or put them in a type of “time out” in the room if not. If I have to ask more than that or if it’s a consistent issue I go straight to the parents.
8. What is an unusual place you have been to?
I have been to Israel.
9. Do you have a talent that not many people know about?
I can sing and play guitar (admittedly in a very mediocre fashion).
10. What’s your #1 teaching tip?
Try to be the teacher that you would have wanted as a kid.
11. What is something interesting that you’re involved in, outside of Chess Wizards?
Skiing and Pool!
12. If you saw a kangaroo and a chimpanzee playing chess what would you do? Who do you think would win?
Sit and watch for sure. Possibly grab an adult beverage to cope with the oddity of that situation. I bet the chimp would win.
13. Star Wars, Star Trek, or they’re both lame?
I’m a huge Star Wars fan. My first tattoo was a large X-wing fighter starship.
14. What do you like most about working with Chess Wizards?
I love getting to know lots of kiddos and working in different locations. Also, of course, playing chess!