10 Years with Chess Coach Paul!

I remember when Coach Paul started teaching with us, in February of 2015.  One of his clubs was subbing in the classroom next to mine at Haycock Elementary (where he still teaches).  I asked if he needed anything or had questions, and he pretty confidently brushed me off... though he was also someone, especially when he was new, who sought out all the resources and videos we had for new coaches.

Over those ten years, Paul has taught more students in more clubs than any other coach at the company (though it's close!) in DC and Northern Virginia, though more recently focused in Arlington, Falls Church, and Fairfax County.

What have parents, kids, and schools said about Paul's classes over the years?

Everything was wonderful! (St. Thomas More Cathedral School)

(My son) really liked the last game where they could all play together, learning the basics of how to play... and "winning". He uses the tile floor in the kitchen as a chess board and moves like the different pieces. (Shrevewood Elementary)

Our kids loved learning to play chess with Silver Knights!  Both kids love to play chess now! Looking forward to having them in class again next winter at our school! (Our Lady of Hope School)

My son loved being a part of the program. He loves playing chess and learning new skills of the game really helped grow his love for it. (Mosaic Elementary)

My son absolutely loved chess club this season. He's signed back up in the spring and he's signed up for 2 sessions over the summer. He looks forward to Wednesdays now and is even trying to teach his 5 year old sister how to play. (Montessori Public School of Arlington)

Loved the weekly email to parents explaining what they learned. (My daughter) loved the game played on the final day of camp (team chess game called Allied chess). (Jamestown Elementary)

Out daughter was really engaged and looked forwards to the class each week.  (Jamestown Elementary)

My son enjoyed this enrichment program and talked about the skills he learned. He typically isn’t one to share what happened throughout the day but was always eager to tell me all about the new tactics he acquired. Thanks and we will sign him up again next year! (Cardinal Elementary)

Help with critical thinking and strategy. My kid loved it, wants to play chess every night now. (Cardinal Elementary)

My son loves his online and in-person classes. (BASIS Independent McLean)

The kids loved the class and the online supplements and tournaments were especially fun. The flexibility of the class makes it an EXCELLENT winter activity. The kids learned a great deal about strategy and the ins and outs of playing chess! (BASIS Independent McLean)

My son really thrived under Coach Paul. The Coach was very knowledgeable and I appreciated the weekly emails. We attended a few of the chess tournaments which made chess even more exciting! (Cherry Run Elementary)

(My son) and (my daughter) loved it.  Great job! (Jamestown Elementary)

He loves all of it and even asked for a chessboard for his birthday this year. I enrolled him again and recommended another parent. (club at Jamestown Elementary)

My kids LOVED chess. My daughter wanted the foundation to be able to play with her brother whose actually been taking chess for about 3-4 sessions now both in school through enrichment programs and after school at Madison Community Center. He loves going and regularly gets checkmates. We’ve already enrolled him again for the following session! (Jamestown Elementary)

My child loved the after school chess program and has already asked to participate again when it is offered. (St. Agnes School)

The coaches are always great with the students at each level of learning. (Fairview Elementary)

Our son learned a lot and had a lot of fun. We will definitely do it again if offered. (St. Thomas More Cathedral School)

(My son) always says how much he loves going. (St. Thomas More Cathedral School)

(My daughter) learned so much about Chess from this club. I signed her up to couple of chess competitions and she is loving it. She is going to sign up to the next session as well. I wanna thank her teacher. He has been very supportive and we loved getting the weekly updates. Very informative. (Stenwood Elementary)

My daughter loved the sessions. (Arlington Science Focus School)

We have been in this session twice now and both times the instructors (different for each session) have been outstanding for their ability to manage the children, maintain their attention, and introduce concepts in an engaging way.

I really like the format of the class with time to play chess, time to learn concepts and time to practice what they learned. The children are always looking forward to going to chess.

No changes required, excited if you can maintain the current high quality. (Madison Community Center)

(My daughter) was a beginner, and the class has sparked an interest in chess that was not there. She really enjoyed the untraditional ways of teaching - games and fun approaches. She had fun, and will eventually be back. Santa delivered a chess board and we’ve been playing and watching Magnus play in NYC (until the drama…). 

Teacher was great, and the community awesome. (Falls Church Community Center)

(My daughter) enjoyed the class... I was very appreciative of the broad understanding of how to play she gained in the class. (Freedom Hill)

My son loves your chess program! We really appreciate Coach Paul at Madison Community Center. He is very invested in the program and engaged with the children. He had good classroom management! I love that he knows my son and his strengths and where he can improve.

Coach Paul has a teaching style that is very compatible with my son's learning style. My son is always happy when getting out of the class, which speaks volumes to the good job being done. I have no suggestions as to getting things done differently, please keep the enthusiasm up! (Madison Community Center)

(My son) had a lot of fun, enjoyed the games, keeps talking about bughouse chess. I appreciated the emails from the instructor with how the weekly session went after each session. (He) said he wants to try again in the Spring. (Marshall Road)