Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
“So basically, the Pope moves diagonally.” giggled the kids.
“Guys, GUYS, listen UP!”, I raised my voice.
“You aren’t very good at your job are you.” remarked one of them.
“Guys, come on, quiet down”, I said as I ran my hands through my hair nervously.
“The black king is basically Barack Obama.” And with that, another boy spilled his Snapple all over the table.
Playing chess is one thing, coaching it to a mob of energetic middle schoolers is quite another.
In middle school, I spent every other minute on playing chess. The first thing I would do when I got to school was go to the chess room, pull out a chessboard and duke it out with one of my friends. I loved the aesthetics of the moves, the nuances of the strategies, and the sheer creativity and competitiveness of the game. What’s more, I loved its camaraderie and the discussions of favorite openings, strategies, players, and chess history I had with friends.
As a chess coach, I wanted the kids to experience the same love for chess as I did. However, this was one rowdy group of kids that bubbled with an energy that couldn’t be contained by sitting quietly at a chessboard.
I struggled as a teacher at first and it took some time to turn their bubbly energy to a simmer, but eventually they followed my lectures. I became more relaxed and spoke with more clarity as a teacher. I wrote pages and pages of lecture notes to clarify my thoughts. They became engaged, asking questions and suggesting possible moves. I realized that despite their outer energy and hyperactivity, the kids were deeply curious and intelligent.
In the end, I did not create any grandmasters or world champions. However, I was able to share my love of chess with those students. I could see their growth and feel their love of the game, just as I could see my own growth as a teacher. For me, there is something deeply fulfilling about bonding over chess, pizza, and Snapple — as long as it isn’t spilled.