IHSA Chess

Applitrack; Elgin (IL); On-site; USD 1,500 - 3,500; Part time

Job summary

Applitrack is seeking a dedicated IHSA Chess coach at Larkin High School in Illinois. The role focuses on building and maintaining a high-quality chess team, delivering student-centered instruction, and providing competitive opportunities in line with IHSA guidelines.

The position emphasizes effective communication with families and school staff, managing logistics, and maintaining equipment. It requires a degree in education or relevant experience, and a professional educator license is

Qualifications

• Knowledge of chess strategies preferred.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely with parents, students, administrators, teachers, and community leaders.

Responsibilities

• Implement instructional strategies engaging all students and differentiating for varied abilities.
• Communicate effectively with parents, students, administrators, teachers, and community leaders.
• Maintain high expectations for student achievement and behavior and motivate students to their highest potential.
• Maintain equipment for the activity.
• Demonstrate punctuality and consistent attendance.
• Create a learning environment suitable for students' development.
• Foster a respectful, harassment-free instructional culture with constructive feedback.
• Protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Apply and enforce Student Code of Conduct and related handbooks.
• Attend district, conference or IHSA contests and activities summit.
• Manage finances and administrative paperwork for the organization.
• 60 hours of meetings/practices.

Skills

Chess knowledge

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education

PEL license

High school diploma

Job description

• Position Type:
  Appendix F - Extra Duty/ Non-Coaching
• Date Posted:
  6/16/2026
• Location:
  Larkin High School
• Date Available:
  08/27/2026
• Closing Date:
  06/01/2027

Position / Title: IHSA Chess

Bargaining Unit: NAC Department/Location: High School Activities

Calendar Days: Per IHSA Calendar Reports To: Building Athletics/Activities Director

JD Revision Date: 12/11/2023 Supervises: N/A

Function / Position Summary

To build and maintain a high-quality chess team, focusing on best-practice, student-focused instruction and providing opportunities for students.

Job Duties / Responsibilities

• Implement researched-based instructional strategies that engage all students, differentiating to accommodate a range of ability levels, and acknowledging a variety of cultural backgrounds in order to support student learning and growth.
• Communicate effectively with parents, students, administrators, teacher colleagues, and community leaders.
• Maintain high expectations for student achievement and behavior and motivate students to work to their highest potential.
• Maintain equipment associated with the activity.
• Demonstrate prompt and regular attendance.
• Create an environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the physical, social, and emotional development of students.
• Cultivate a positive, harassment free, instructional culture which motivates students through the use of effective communication and constructive feedback.
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Apply and enforce student discipline in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and appropriate student handbook.
• 5 District, Conference, or IHSA Contests
• Attendance at UEC Activities Summit
• Attendance at Freshman Orientation
• Manage Finances and Administrative Paperwork for the Organization
• 60 hours of meetings/practices

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Education preferred
• Appropriate Professional Educator's License (PEL) preferred

-OR-

• High School Diploma required
• Related coursework and/or previous related experience required

Experience / Knowledge

• Knowledge of chess strategies preferred.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form using a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure the appropriate flow of information, collaborative efforts, and feedback, and to conduct conferences as needed with parents, students, administrators, or other teachers.
• Strong communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions, inquiries, and/or complaints.
• Display courtesy, tact, and respect when dealing with others.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships; demonstrate a commitment to teamwork.
• Ability and willingness to learn and refresh job skills through professional development in order to meet the changing needs of this position.
• Ability to react well under pressure, handle and balance multiple demands at one time, work with frequent unscheduled interruptions, and perform duties and tasks at expected levels of professionalism.

Physical Demands

• Occasionally requires physical exertion to manually move, lift, or related equipment.
• Public contact requiring appropriate business-like apparel.

Terms of Employment

• This is an Appendix F stipend position in accordance to the school year calendar.
• For Non-ETA Coaches: this position is for this year only.
• Terms of employment will be determined in collaboration with the athletic/activity director.