MISSION POSSIBLE
Stories and insights on excellent education.
Stories and insights on excellent education.
Earlier this summer, during a professional development session, the chess faculty had the chance to hear from David MacEnulty, one of the best chess coaches in the city. Most people know David as the New York City coach whose winning teams have been featured on CBS and CNN specials and in the film Knights of the South Bronx. But to me and other chess teachers at Success Academy, David MacEnulty is the person who introduced us to the game we love.
I first met David when I was a third grader at PS 70 in the South Bronx. His passion for the game was contagious, and I became fascinated by chess. I loved that it felt like one big puzzle. The rush that came with discovering new chess moves—a new combination or a new line—was exhilarating to me. David’s program was instrumental in not only helping me understand the rules and intellectual lessons of chess, but in keeping me off the streets and out of trouble.
In less than a week, I will begin teaching chess at Success Academy Bronx 3. I thought I would pass along some of the lessons that David recently shared with us at T School. I think some of these lessons extend beyond chess and can inform every teacher’s practice.
I can’t wait to start teaching at Success Academy and contribute to a program that is growing and getting stronger every year. This summer, we learned so much from so many people, including famed Grandmaster Irina Krush.
But David’s talk reminded me that the lessons learned from chess go beyond one’s win-loss record. Above all, I am excited by the incredible opportunity to pass along to my students my passion for the game and what it teaches about perseverance and integrity.