Sometimes I think I'm incredibly lucky.
This afternoon's session at my Monday school was one of the most rewarding I've ever had, I think. Because I teach in both primary and secondary schools, it occasionally happens that I meet the same students at different stages of their education. In today's group there were some year 11 and 12 students whom I taught when they were year 1 and 2, at two different primary schools. One of those, who has been coming to my sessions on and off for about 10 years, today achieved her first ever checkmate. In some ways that's a more satisfying achievement than teaching really talented kids to win national titles. The fact that she enjoys chess enough to keep coming back for more, even though she struggles to "get it" and that her persistence has at last been rewarded with a checkmate, is delayed gratification taken to a very high level! I also had a couple of girls who were learning the moves for the first time, a Year 11 and a year 7. That's always good fun.
When the session was over and we were packing up, it was great to see the socialisation the kids get out of this sort of activity. Diminutive Year 7s were nattering with the Ladies & Gentlemen of the Sixth Form like old friends and the whole session went off with great good humour all round.
And they pay me for it!
I am indeed a very lucky chap.
