MY BACKGROUND
In 1996 while waiting to resume my first year at college, I started playing chess professionally. I played all through college, representing college, states, and country and winning the overall best male athlete from 2002 - 2004. After studying and graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, I understood the relationship between chess and critical thinking. I realized that like philosophy, chess also stimulates critical thinking and can be used as a tool for such.
We introduced the Chess Aided Mathematics Program - CAMP - as an experiment at a school to help kids with issues in mathematics with the agreement that a contract would be signed based on the result. The result was fantastic and it became clear to me that every kid should be allowed to learn chess even if they don't intend to become professionals.
Teaching kids how to play is my passion and with over 25 years of tournament play and 15 years of teaching, I have developed myself into a professional chess coach and tournament director. I have these qualifications:
- FIDE Certified Lead School Instructor (Teacher Trainer)
- Certified FIDE Instructor (FI)
- FIDE Certified School Instructor (SI)
- FIDE National Arbiter
- US Chess Federation Club Tournament Director
Since moving to the United States, I have helped schools, libraries, and scholastic institutions develop chess programs, taught curriculum and after-school programs. I have worked at different chess camps in New York and New Jersey. I have also directed over 80 United States Chess Federation rated tournaments for K-12.
List of current and past clients include -
ASSUMPTION SCHOOL, Morristown, NJ
JEWISH EDUCATIONAL CENTER, Elizabeth, NJ
MOUNT PLEASANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, Livingston NJ
INTERNATIONAL CHESS ACADEMY, Glen Rock / Teaneck
- East Newark School, Harrison, NJ
- Red Oaks School, Morristown, NJ
STARTRIGHT CHESS
- Marymount School for Girls, Manhattan NY
- Academy of Our Lady, Glen Rock NJ
-St. Joseph School, Oradell NJ
- Academy of Our Lady of Grace, Fairview NJ
DIPLOMAT CHESS
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Boonton, NJ
- Chatham Day School, Chatham NJ
- Pingry School, Short Hills NJ
- Washington Avenue School, Chatham NJ
-Kent Place School, Summit NJ
- Central Elementary School, Warren NJ
- Far Brook School, Short Hills NJ
- Lafayette School, Chatham NJ
ALPHAMIND ACADEMY
- Hoboken Catholic School, Hoboken, NJ
- Beloved Charter School, Jersey City, NJ
- Cordero School, Jersey City, NJ
- PrimaryPrep, Jersey City, NJ
- PS 3, Jersey City, NJ
NEW YORK SCHOLASTIC CHESS CLUB
- PS 452, NY NY
- PS 334, NY NY
DO-RE-MI SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND THE ARTS, Livingston NJ
JERSEY CITY FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY, Jersey City NJ