Our employee of the month is Timothy Caldwell from Los Angeles, California!
Tim Caldwell is a devoted instructor who provides an amazing experience for all his students. He prepares amazing lessons, and inspires students to improve their chess game.
Timothy, 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 Timothy below:
1. Who are you, where do you come from, where are you going?
I am Timothy Caldwell from Los Angeles California, and I'm on a lifetime mission to promote and teach chess, this is the direction my life is going.
2. How long have you been teaching with Chess Wizards?
I have been working for Chess Wizards for three years. Finally I have a job I love that matches my life mission.
3. What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned since you started teaching?
The importance of planning my lessons for the students using the Wizard system. The Wizard worksheets that help students improve at chess are excellent. Also, that I can always contact management if I have any obstacles that hinder my goals.
4. What is the most exciting experience you have had while playing or teaching chess?
Randomly being asked by Wizard management to travel to Gilroy California to teach at a chess camp was exciting, it was like a paid vacation.
5. How do you motivate your students to succeed?
I let my students know that improvement requires effort. Athletes practice to reach perfection, doctors and lawyers read a lot of books… to improve at chess you must practice, read chess books, and complete the Wizard worksheets. Eventually my students learn chess notation and how to use a chess timer.
6. If you could retire tomorrow and never have to worry about money again, what would you do with your time?
I’m retired and I don't worry about money, I enjoy being a chess Wizard. It's a lifestyle for me.
7. What’s your go-to technique for dealing with ‘handful students’?
Occasionally I'll have a handful of students that misbehave,but once they fall in love with chess their behavior improves.The parents, school and Wizard management work as a team to facilitate the transformation of a student from a behavior problem to an excellent student.
8. What is an unusual place you have been to?
Most unusual place I have been to is Gilroy, California. It's the main garlic producer on earth and it really does smell like garlic.
9. Do you have a talent that not many people know about?
I enjoy painting. I'm not sure if I'm talented but sometimes they sell.
10. What’s your #1 teaching tip?
Prepare a lesson plan and deliver a chess presentation with passion and humor.
11. What is something interesting that you’re involved in, outside of Chess Wizards?
I own and operate a chess club over the summer called the Venice Beach Knights. Our club members play chess with each other and tourists from around the world. We also play online and are affiliated with chess.com.
12. If you saw a kangaroo and a chimpanzee playing chess what would you do? Who do you think would win?
I think the chimp would win, chimps have a sense of humor. Humor always wins.
13. Star Wars, Star Trek, or they’re both lame?
I like Star Trek - Dr. Spock plays chess.
14. What do you like most about working with Chess Wizards?
Improving at chess is a great benefit, but the students' joy from learning and having fun gives me inner satisfaction. These feelings I have as I reflect on my days before I sleep is what my life is about. Being a Chess Wizard is more than a job, it's a way of life.