Junior Leadership Program

Learners Chess Jr. Leaders are an important part of the Learners mission. Many past Jr. Leaders have gone on to become Jr. Coaches, paid coaches, and Learners Without Borders volunteers. Many other have gone on to college and successful careers.

Teaching chess and leading students through the discovery and appreciation of chess is no easy task but it is a very rewarding one. Taking on a leadership role in our chess education program equips students with invaluable tools that will help them succeed as leaders in life.

Interested Jr. Leader applicants should read through this entire page before filling out the below application.

Learners Jr. Leaders take on some more responsibilities in their chess programs than normal students.

Jr. Leaders will be expected to:

Help coaches with any chess or non-chess related activities needed to make a chess program run smoothly and effectively.
Help new and beginner students integrate into the program either by playing chess with them to warm up or by helping them understand the basics rules and movements of chess.
Help students progress through the beginner series of chess booklets.
Set a good example for the other students to follow. For example:
- Always tries their best in every game they play and activity in which they participate.
- Act on direction given to the entire class immediately and encourage other students to do the same.
- Participate in lectures while also leaving room for other students to ask questions and give input.
- Embrace responsibility of a leader while accepting the role as a student.
There will be times and opportunities for Jr. Leaders to focus on developing their own more advanced chess skills and when these times occur, the Jr. Leader should still model good chess learning etiquette.

Once you decide you want to become a Jr. Leader, ask yourself a few questions:

Have I mastered all six of the basic learners booklets, the King/Queen and King/Rook and King/Pawn ending techniques?
Do I always follow the rules and LCA coaches’ directions?
Am I a good sport? Do I enjoy helping and supporting other students to grow and learn?
Do I always try my best in everything I do?
Am I willing to grow and learn about leadership from Learners Coaches?

If you understand the responsibilities of a Jr. Leader and answered yes to these questions, then fill out the application below.

Apply Now

Successful Jr. Leaders who express desire to continue through high school may be invited to become a Jr. Coach. Jr. Coaches attend programs at no cost, and work towards the goal of becoming paid coaches. They take on more responsibilities and have specific goals to accomplish to support the Learners mission and curriculum.