Life Chess Empowerment Mentor

Big Chair Chess Club (BCCC) is preparing to expand its chess and life skills educational programs into Stafford County, Virginia, in 2027. As we develop partnerships with local public schools, we are seeking enthusiastic, dependable individuals who enjoy working with youth and making a positive impact in their communities.

With multiple schools expressing interest in our programs, we are proactively building a local team of approximately 4–6 paid instructors to support our anticipated expansion. Programs are expected to operate at least twice per week, with part-time opportunities during school-day and after-school hours.

We encourage college students, aspiring educators, chess enthusiasts, youth mentors, and individuals interested in education, leadership, and community development to apply.

Chess coaching experience is not required! BCCC provides training for motivated individuals who demonstrate a positive attitude, strong communication skills, reliability, and a passion for helping others succeed.

As a Life Chess Empowerment Mentor, you'll facilitate engaging chess and life skills lessons, mentor students, support school chess clubs and tournaments, and create safe, inclusive learning environments where participants can grow both on and off the chessboard.

Our approach uses chess as a foundation for teaching critical thinking, responsible decision-making, leadership, teamwork, and personal development through our signature Always Think B4U Move™ curriculum.

Responsibilities

Facilitate engaging chess and life skills lessons for elementary and middle school students.

Teach chess fundamentals using BCCC's Always Think B4U Move™ curriculum.

Foster leadership, teamwork, sportsmanship, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

Build positive relationships with students, families, schools, and community partners.

Maintain safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environments.

Support chess clubs, tournaments, workshops, school enrichment activities, and community events.

Track attendance, student participation, and individual progress.

Assist with setting up and breaking down chess equipment and instructional materials.

Represent Big Chair Chess Club professionally in schools and community settings.

Collaborate with fellow instructors and program leadership to maintain high-quality programming.

Participate in required onboarding, training, and professional development.

Skills We're Looking For

Youth Mentorship

Leadership Development

Classroom Management

Chess Instruction (or willingness to learn)

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

Communication Skills

Team Collaboration

Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

Reliability and Professionalism

Community Engagement

Minimum Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent (college students encouraged to apply).

Passion for working with youth and diverse communities.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Reliable transportation to assigned Stafford County program locations.

Availability for recurring school-day or after-school assignments, preferably at least two days per week.

Ability to pass required background screenings and school clearance procedures.

Willingness to complete Big Chair Chess Club's Life Chess Empowerment Academy training and certification.

Ability to follow curriculum guidelines, safety procedures, and organizational policies.

Chess playing experience is preferred but not required. Training is provided for motivated candidates.

Preferred Qualifications

Current enrollment in or completion of a college program in education, psychology, social work, human services, recreation, STEM, or a related field.

Experience working with youth, schools, camps, after-school programs, recreation centers, or community organizations.

Experience teaching, coaching, mentoring, tutoring, or facilitating groups.

Knowledge of chess fundamentals or competitive chess.

Experience leading educational, recreational, or enrichment activities.

CPR/First Aid certification (preferred but not required).

Why Join Big Chair Chess Club?

Paid Part-Time Opportunities: Join a growing team preparing to deliver structured chess and life skills programs in Stafford County.

Flexible Scheduling: Potential recurring assignments that complement college coursework and other commitments.

No Chess Coaching Experience Required: Receive training in chess instruction, youth mentorship, and our signature curriculum.

Professional Development: Build valuable experience in teaching, leadership, classroom management, and youth development.

Career Growth: Opportunities to advance into lead instructor, tournament director, program coordinator, and other leadership roles as our programs expand.

Community Impact: Help bring meaningful educational enrichment opportunities to Stafford County students and families.

About Big Chair Chess Club

Big Chair Chess Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals through chess, education, mentorship, and life skills development.

Inspired by the legacy of Eugene Brown and the story portrayed in Life of a King, our organization uses chess as a practical teaching tool to strengthen critical thinking, personal responsibility, emotional intelligence, and strategic decision-making.

Our mission is to "Teach the un-teachable, reach the un-reachable, and help others discover the power that comes from always thinking before they move."

Our Motto: Always Think B4U Move™

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their resume and application through Handshake.

Qualified applicants may be invited to participate in preliminary interviews as BCCC builds its Stafford County instructor team.

Please Note: This posting is part of our advance recruitment initiative for anticipated 2027 programming. Instructor placements, compensation, schedules, and start dates will be finalized as school partnerships, funding, and program logistics are confirmed. Submission of an application does not guarantee employment or a specific number of work hours.

Big Chair Chess Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all qualified applicants.