Part-Time Chess Instructor – Palo Alto & Sunnyvale

Yes For Chess; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

Yes for Chess is seeking a dependable part-time Chess Instructor for the January–June 2027 school session. The role involves teaching chess to elementary students after school, following our structured curriculum, and fostering a positive classroom environment in Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, and nearby areas.

Ideal candidates are college students or education-minded individuals who enjoy working with children and are eager to learn and grow as instructors. Training will be provided before January 2027.

Qualifications

• Interest in chess and enthusiasm for teaching children.
• Willing to learn and follow a structured curriculum.
• Reliable transportation to Palo Alto and Sunnyvale.
• Available for weekday afternoon classes January–June 2027.
• Prior tutoring or childcare experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Teach engaging chess lessons to elementary-age students.
• Follow established curriculum and lesson plans.
• Create a positive, organized classroom environment.
• Help students develop chess skills and critical thinking.
• Manage classroom behavior and student engagement.
• Communicate professionally with school staff and Yes for Chess team.
• Arrive on time and attend scheduled classes.
• Complete required class reports or administrative tasks.

Skills

Chess interest

Teaching enthusiasm

Reliability

Professional communication

Job description

Company: Yes for Chess
Employment Type: Part-Time
Location: Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, and nearby areas (Santa Clara may also be considered)
Schedule: Weekday Afternoons (Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Thursday preferred)
Position Duration: January-June 2027, with training beginning before winter break where possible

Compensation: $27-29 per hour

Hourly pay will be based on the candidate’s relevant experience, including chess instruction, teaching, tutoring, and working with children.

About Yes for Chess

Yes for Chess provides engaging chess instruction to elementary-age students through structured, age-appropriate lessons designed to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, patience, and sportsmanship.

We are looking for a dependable and enthusiastic part-time Chess Instructor to join our team for the upcoming January-June school session.

This is a great opportunity for college students, aspiring educators, tutors, and individuals who enjoy working with children and have an interest in chess.

Job Responsibilities

• Teach engaging and structured chess lessons to elementary-age students.
• Follow our established chess curriculum and lesson plans.
• Create a positive, encouraging, and organized classroom environment.
• Help students develop chess skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Manage classroom behavior and maintain student engagement.
• Communicate professionally with school staff and the Yes for Chess team.
• Arrive on time and consistently attend scheduled classes.
• Complete any required class reports or administrative tasks.

Qualifications

• An interest in chess and enthusiasm for teaching the game to children.
• Comfortable with basic chess concepts and willing to continue learning.
• Advanced chess skills or competitive playing experience are not required.
• Enjoy working with children and have a positive, patient, and approachable personality.
• Previous experience in tutoring, teaching, childcare, coaching, or after-school programs is preferred.
• Dependable, responsible, organized, and comfortable managing elementary-age students.
• Able to communicate effectively and professionally.
• Reliable transportation to schools in Palo Alto and Sunnyvale.
• Available for weekday afternoon classes, preferably Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and/or Thursdays.
• Able to commit to a consistent part-time schedule from January through June 2027.

You don't need to be an advanced chess player to apply! We're looking for someone who enjoys chess, is enthusiastic about sharing the game with children, and is eager to learn and grow as an instructor.

We provide structured curriculum materials and training to help instructors develop their chess knowledge and confidently teach our lessons.

Ideal Candidate

We are particularly interested in:

• College students looking for consistent part-time work during the school year.
• Education majors or individuals interested in pursuing teaching.
• Tutors, childcare providers, coaches, or after-school instructors.
• Individuals who live in or near Palo Alto, Mountain View, or Sunnyvale.

Candidates should be comfortable committing to a regular weekly schedule and communicating any changes in availability in advance.

Training and Start Date

We plan to identify and hire our instructor before winter break, with initial onboarding and training completed beforehand where possible.

There may be limited opportunities to teach a few classes in December, but the primary commitment begins in January 2027 and continues through June 2027.

Why Join Yes for Chess?

• Consistent part-time work throughout the school year.
• Opportunity to gain valuable teaching and classroom management experience.
• Training and structured curriculum provided.
• Meaningful opportunity to help elementary students develop new skills.
• Support from an established instructional team.