Position Summary
The Head Chess Coach is responsible for leading all aspects of the club's instructional program, coaching staff, and student development. As the primary educational leader of the club, the Head Coach establishes the vision, teaching philosophy, and standards that guide every class, event, and coaching interaction.
This role extends far beyond teaching chess. The Head Coach is responsible for designing curriculum, mentoring assistant coaches, overseeing classroom operations, communicating with parents, evaluating student progress, and ensuring the consistent delivery of a high-quality learning experience across all programs.
The Head Chess Coach is expected to lead by example, demonstrate exceptional professionalism, exercise sound judgment, and foster a positive, engaging, and disciplined learning environment. Through strong leadership and continuous improvement, the Head Coach plays a central role in advancing student achievement, supporting staff development, and contributing to the long-term growth and success of the club.
Job Requirements & Responsibilities:
1. Logistics & Classroom Preparation
- Arrive 15–20 minutes before the scheduled start of each lesson with all required teaching materials, chess equipment, and instructional resources prepared.
- Ensure each lesson is fully planned and organized in advance, with clear objectives, activities, and instructional materials ready before students arrive.
- Communicate lesson plans, classroom expectations, and any special responsibilities with the Assistant Coach prior to each class to ensure smooth coordination and consistent instruction.
- Verify that the classroom is fully prepared before the lesson begins, including the setup of chess boards, clocks, teaching materials, seating arrangements, and any additional equipment.
- Ensure the classroom is clean, organized, safe, and conducive to learning.
- Welcome students and parents as they arrive, creating a warm, professional, and friendly environment that reflects the club's values.
- Be prepared to answer parent questions, address any immediate concerns, and ensure students transition smoothly into the lesson.
- Take overall responsibility for ensuring the class begins on time and that all logistical and instructional preparations have been completed before instruction starts.
2. Lesson Delivery & Classroom Operations
- Deliver high-quality, engaging, and well-structured chess lessons that align with the club's curriculum and instructional standards.
- Plan and teach lessons that are appropriate for the students' age, skill level, and developmental needs.
- Ensure that each weekly lesson includes a minimum of 20 minutes of new instructional material, followed by guided practice activities, interactive exercises, and supervised game time to reinforce learning objectives.
- Lead all classroom activities with confidence, maintaining a positive, organized, and productive learning environment throughout the lesson.
- Take primary responsibility for each student's learning experience by ensuring concepts are clearly explained, understood, and reinforced.
- Monitor student engagement throughout the lesson and adjust teaching methods when necessary to maintain participation, focus, and enthusiasm.
- Encourage active participation, critical thinking, and sportsmanship while creating an inclusive environment where every student feels supported and challenged.
- Work closely with the Assistant Coach to provide individualized support for students who require additional guidance without disrupting the flow of instruction.
- Manage the pace of the lesson to ensure all planned instructional content, activities, and game time are completed effectively within the scheduled class time.
- Continuously assess student understanding during the lesson and make instructional adjustments as needed to maximize learning outcomes.
- Maintain full responsibility for the overall quality, effectiveness, and success of each class.
3. Student Observation, Progress Tracking & Parent Communication
- Actively observe students during lessons, practice games, and tournament play to assess their development, engagement, learning habits, and overall progress.
- Monitor each student's strengths, areas for improvement, behavioral patterns, and any challenges that may affect their learning experience.
- Maintain accurate records of student progress to support ongoing evaluations, lesson planning, and individualized instruction.
- Track student development over time by regularly assessing performance, participation, and mastery of key concepts.
- Identify students who require additional academic, behavioral, or instructional support and develop appropriate strategies to help them succeed.
- Provide individualized feedback and coaching to support each student's continued growth and achievement.
- Communicate professionally with parents regarding student progress, accomplishments, areas for improvement, and recommendations for continued development.
- Lead parent conversations with professionalism, transparency, and consistency, addressing questions and concerns in a timely and respectful manner.
- Collaborate with the Assistant Coach by reviewing classroom observations and incorporating their feedback into student evaluations when appropriate.
- Ensure all communication with parents reflects the club's values, professionalism, and commitment to providing a high-quality learning experience for every student.
This version mirrors the Assistant Coach section but clearly establishes that the Head Coach owns student development, evaluations, and parent communication, while still collaborating with the Assistant Coach.
4. Assistant Coach Leadership, Guidance & Supervision
- Provide leadership, mentorship, and guidance to the Assistant Coach to ensure consistent delivery of the club's instructional standards and expectations.
- Communicate weekly lesson plans, teaching objectives, classroom expectations, and responsibilities clearly before each class.
- Meet weekly with the Assistant Coach to review lessons, student progress, classroom performance, and areas for improvement.
- Provide constructive feedback and support to help improve the Assistant Coach's coaching skills and effectiveness.
- Work collaboratively with the Assistant Coach to address challenges, share observations, and improve the overall student learning experience.
- Meet weekly with the Program Supervisor to review lesson quality, student development, classroom operations, coaching performance, and opportunities for improvement.
- Come prepared with observations, updates, and recommendations to support ongoing program improvement.
- Take overall responsibility for the effectiveness and consistency of the coaching team.
5. Events & Special Activities
- Lead and oversee club events, tournaments, camps, workshops, and special activities to ensure they are organized, educational, and successful.
- Participate in all required events and special programs, including weekends or evenings when necessary.
- Plan and coordinate event logistics, schedules, equipment, staffing, student supervision, and instructional activities.
- Provide leadership and direction to Assistant Coaches and staff during events to ensure smooth execution.
- Ensure students receive a positive, engaging, and supportive experience throughout all club activities.
- Represent the club professionally by maintaining strong communication, leadership, and a welcoming environment for students, parents, and guests.
- Review event outcomes and identify opportunities for improvement to enhance future programs.
- Take ownership and responsibility for the overall quality and success of all club events and special activities.
Qualifications
- Advanced understanding of chess principles, tactics, strategy, openings, endgames, and tournament play.
- Previous experience coaching chess, teaching, or competing at a high level preferred.
- Strong teaching ability with the ability to deliver engaging, structured, and effective lessons.
- Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to manage classrooms and guide Assistant Coaches.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with students, parents, staff, and club leadership.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to prepare lessons, manage operations, and oversee events.
- Ability to evaluate student progress and provide meaningful feedback and support.
- Self-motivated, dependable, and able to take initiative while maintaining high professional standards.
- Passion for mentoring students and helping them develop chess skills, confidence, and critical-thinking abilities.
- Commitment to creating a positive, inclusive, and engaging learning environment.
- Experience with tournaments, camps, workshops, or chess program management is an asset.
- Hebrew language proficiency is considered an asset.
Pay: Up to $30.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
