Follow your passion

Are you ready to help build the next chapter of educational excellence?

At Zeta, we pursue an unprecedented combination of high academic achievement and social-emotional development for our students. We insist that every student receives a world-class education while fostering a love for learning. We are passionate about changing the landscape of public education in New York City and beyond, and we are uncompromising in our mission.

Zeta serves students across the Bronx, Upper Manhattan, and Queens and continues to grow our Pre-K through 12th grade network at an ambitious pace. This year alone, we opened our first high school, added another elementary school in Queens, and launched two additional middle schools in the Bronx. And we are not slowing down. We have big plans to continue growing each year so that more children have access to an excellent education. Joining Zeta means joining a team that is actively building the next generation of our school network and serving as a change agent for children.

The role at a glance

Role: Chess Teacher

Start date: July 2027 or sooner, based on Zeta's immediate hiring needs and your availability

Location: Elementary and middle school campuses (see school locations)

Work model: Fully on-site in New York City

Salary range: $65,000 - $105,500

Reports to: Assistant Principal of Specialty

We hire for this role on a rolling basis as positions become available. If your experience aligns with our hiring priorities, our team may reach out to discuss current or future opportunities.

Compensation is determined according to Zeta’s applicable salary scale, which factors in relevant experience and internal equity.

Who you are

We are searching for a Chess Teacher who is excited to deliver exceptional, engaging chess instruction that develops students’ strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, confidence, and lifelong love of the game.

You bring

A Bachelor’s degree
Experience teaching, coaching, or leading chess programming through private instruction, after-school or community programs, clubs, camps, or tournaments
Full-time experience teaching chess in an elementary, middle, or high school setting is strongly preferred
Demonstrated experience leading students in competitive chess tournaments, including preparing players for competition, providing coaching and strategic guidance, and supporting students throughout the tournament experience
Demonstrated mastery of chess, reflected in a player rating of at least 1600, with the ability to translate your expertise into rigorous, accessible, and engaging instruction
A passion for developing students’ strategic thinking, perseverance, focus, and intellectual confidence, paired with high expectations for every student’s growth

What you’ll be doing

In the Chess Teacher role, you will:

Bring a bold vision of excellence in chess to life by designing and delivering exceptional, inquiry-driven instruction that develops students’ strategic thinking, problem-solving, pattern recognition, and focus.
Build a joyful, inclusive, and rigorous learning environment where students embrace productive struggle, develop perseverance, and build a genuine love of the game.
Champion Zeta’s ambitious academic goals through chess, strengthening critical habits such as focus, perseverance, and pattern recognition that help students excel across subjects.
Drive ambitious student and program outcomes, maintaining 100% enrollment across clubs and teams, successfully completing all required Specialty events, and using data and student work to monitor progress, refine instruction, accelerate student growth, and ensure 80%+ of students pass unit assessments.
Lead a high-quality after-school chess program, advancing students from foundational skills to strategic mastery, preparing players for tournaments, and providing expert coaching and support throughout the competition experience.
Build authentic, meaningful relationships with students and families to support each student’s growth and success.