At The Speyer Legacy School, students are inspired to be intellectually curious and passionate. They realize their full potential as accelerated learners in a collaborative community that is committed to ethical values and action. Speyer students learn with like-minded classmates and are guided by academically fearless teachers who share and nourish their enthusiasm for knowledge and inquiry.

The Speyer Legacy School seeks a dynamic, innovative, and passionate part-time Resident Chess Master to be a member of the school’s Lower School faculty beginning September 2026, joining a team that includes four faculty members: The Director of Chess Instruction, one Co-Teacher, one additional Resident Master, and one Resident Grandmaster. Reporting to the Director of Chess, this position is responsible for collaborating with faculty and staff to teach in support of the school’s mission and curricular goals. The ideal candidate will work with an eye on diversity and inclusion in chess, possess creative problem-solving skills, a sense of humor, enthusiasm for designing innovative curriculum, and strong interpersonal skills that allow one to cooperate and collaborate effectively with others.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Plan and implement motivating chess lessons for lower school curriculum classes for grades 2-4.
• Prepare, evaluate and track student tactics assignments.  
• Oversee the Middle School Chess Elective
• Teach Chess in a variety of afterschool settings. 
• Ensure students are developing good study habits and learning by doing. 
• Work with individual and small groups of students with a range of chess knowledge. 
• Gather assessment data on student-learning in order to make instructional decisions.  
• Collaborate with larger Chess faculty to develop Speyer Chess Curriculum that is current, vibrant, and extraordinarily differentiated.  
• Work three to four days a week from 12:15 to 3:15PM, with occasional faculty meetings that will begin at 11:15AM.
• Coaching after school and at weekend tournaments is a requirement and paid at a separate rate.    
• Coach exclusively Speyer Students at major scholastic events including City, State, and National Chess championships. 
• Implement rules for behavior and classroom procedures and routines. 
• Evaluate students' performance, including academic, behavioral and social-emotional. 
• Engage respectfully with families and demonstrate sensitivity to cultures, values, configurations, and beliefs.
• Communicate regularly with families about classroom happenings and student progress including during parent teacher conferences and the preparation of written student narratives descriptions of students' achievements and learning needs.
• Demonstrate a passion for lifelong learning and actively pursue professional development rooted in individual and schoolwide goals. 
• Demonstrate a desire to meaningfully integrate technology into the classroom.
• Update curriculum and materials as needed.
• Participate in the school community, including faculty and committee work, and school duties.
• Promote respect for diversity, equity, and inclusion  as a core value of the School, a shared responsibility in partnership with the school community.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities  

• An active player with an over the board rating of 2200+ is preferred.
• Knowledge of child development, best practices, and current trends in education.
• Demonstrated classroom management skills, including time, space, and materials for most effective learning.
• Experience in differentiated instruction.
• Creativity and innovation in both curriculum and instruction; ability to incorporate 21st century skills.
• Capable of generating high quality instructional materials.
• Outstanding interpersonal, organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to integrate technology effectively into classroom instruction to enhance student learning.
• Skilled in creating a learning environment that is challenging, motivating and age-appropriate.

Salary Range

• Commensurate with Chess title and teaching experience three afternoons per week pays an annual salary of $17,250 to $18,975
• For preparation, coaching, and impromptu analysis at local tournaments, the rate is $300/ day. 

• For preparation, coaching, and impromptu analysis at overnight tournaments, the rate is $500/ day.
• For direct instruction with students in an afterschool setting, the rate is $150/hour 

Qualifications

•  5+ years of chess teaching experience. 
• Tournament experience required. A highly qualified candidate will have achieved a National Master chess title, or the FIDE titles of WFM, FM, WIM, IM, WGM, or GM.  

Application Information

Please apply by sending your resume, cover letter, a one-page educational philosophy statement, and names of three references to employment@speyerlegacyschool.org. Please indicate “Chess Teacher” in the subject line. The Speyer Legacy School welcomes candidates who will add to the diversity of our community and who have demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in their teaching and learning.

The Speyer Legacy School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, disabilities, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or family composition or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its employment, education, admission, financial aid, and other policies and programs.

About The Speyer Legacy School

At The Speyer Legacy School, students are inspired to be intellectually curious and passionate. They realize their full potential as accelerated learners in a collaborative community that is committed to ethical values and action. Speyer students learn with like-minded classmates and are guided by academically fearless teachers who share and nourish their enthusiasm for knowledge and inquiry.

Connections working at The Speyer Legacy School