Caley Schnurr

Caley Schnurr is our Chess Educator for the month of April! Caley has been an educator for over half a decade and even though she has taught a plethora of subjects online, including history, mathematics and ESL, she is relatively new to the world of chess. 

Priding herself in being a work-in-progress, Caley is the embodiment of what a STEM the Gap Academy Educator is: someone who teaches what they know while simultaneously learning and developing. She embodies the notion that it is never too late to start learning a new skill and, so long as you go for it with a growth mindset, there is no knowing how far you can go. 

 1. When did chess first become a part of your life? 

I first became interested in chess while watching the scene in Harry Potter when Ron plays with the giant chess pieces. I was interested in how the pieces moved and why they looked the way they did. I didn’t start playing chess until 2021 though, when I joined the Girl Boss Chess team. That is when I bought my first chessboard and started playing with friends online. 

2. What made you want to take the leap and become a chess educator? 

In my mind, being a chess educator meant promoting values of empowerment and growth and that made me excited. I think chess has so many benefits in general. It can improve memory, math skills, and confidence. As a chess educator, I get to play a role in helping the girls I teach develop these skills. I also get to develop my chess skills and confidence. To me, it was a win-win situation!

3. Can you remember a time when your confidence was at an all-time low and what did you do to pick yourself back up again? 

Yes, I remember when I was living in Brazil, away from family and friends, I felt my confidence was quite low. I decided to have a proactive mindset and make changes in my life, so that I could feel more confident. I made a goal to learn Portuguese and got involved in activities like yoga and soccer. I learned how developing skills and having hobbies can play a direct role in boosting confidence!

4. You have been a teacher for some time now and taught many students around the world. What is one of the greatest lessons that your students have taught you?

One of the greatest lessons that my students have taught me is the value of consistency. As an ESL teacher, I’ve taught many students who start off feeling discouraged about their English-speaking abilities. In the past years, I’ve felt so proud watching my students practice and continue to learn a new language, even when it got difficult. Now, many of my students speak with confidence and I believe it’s because of the long-term effort they have put into reaching their goals. 

5. How do you believe girls and women enrich traditionally male-only spaces like chess when they enter them? 

I believe when women and girls with different skill sets and backgrounds come together, they work together well, to build each other up and make room for each other’s success. I’ve had the pleasure to witness this myself, while working with the Girl Boss Chess team!

6. What has been the greatest obstacle that you have had to overcome in your professional life so far?

The greatest obstacle I’ve had to overcome in my professional life is learning how to believe in my abilities. There have been times when I felt like I wouldn’t be able to accomplish what I desire. I learned that taking small steps and reaching out for help when I needed it was an important part of overcoming this. 

7. What message do you have for young girls who aren’t sure if chess is for them? 

Keep going! Chess can mean different things to everyone. If you’re not enjoying one aspect, you may enjoy another, like doing chess exercises or learning about the history of chess. It’s always worth a try and there’s also no rush to learn everything at once. There were moments when I wasn’t one hundred percent sure if chess was for me when I started learning. However, as I began to play more often, I realized how much joy it can bring me, especially when I get to play with my friends.

8. What goals/dreams do you have for your life? 

I hope to become an occupational therapist. I’ve applied to schools and will hear back very soon! 

9. Other than chess and teaching, what brings you joy? 

Dancing, drawing and baking bring me joy!

10. In your opinion, what is a GIRL BOSS? 

In my opinion, a Girl Boss focuses on growth and on trying her best. It’s not about perfection, but rather putting in the effort, whatever that may look like to you! A Girl Boss learns from her experiences and has compassion for herself and for others.

Sally Sampson

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