Educators Earn Lead Instructor Titles In Chess

Sophia Burch, Lutgarda Lambe, Kelly Massa, Wolde Place, and Daisha Payne have earned Lead School Instructor chess titles, enabling them to train teachers across Bermuda to use chess as an educational tool.

A spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Chess Association [BCA] is proud to announce a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to integrate chess into Bermuda’s educational landscape.

“Over a two-day course held on July 26th and 27th, five Bermuda educators—Sophia Burch [Somerset Primary], Lutgarda Lambe [Purvis Primary], Kelly Massa [Somerset Primary], Wolde Place [Victor Scott Primary], and Daisha Payne [Dalton E. Tucker Primary]—who previously attained the FIDE School Instructor [SI] title last March, advanced further by completing the prestigious Chess in Education: Preparation of Lecturers [PoL] course.

“This achievement grants them the title of Lead School Instructor [LSI], enabling them to train teachers across Bermuda on how to incorporate chess as an educational tool in the classroom.

“This program underscores Bermuda’s commitment to leveraging chess as a means to enhance various educational outcomes. The training focused on demonstrating how chess can develop essential skills in three key areas:

• “21st Century Skills: Critical thinking, communication, creativity, and collaboration.

• “Life Skills: Impulse control, focus, sacrifice, perseverance, patience, empathy, and foresight.

• “Academic Skills: Improving literacy and mathematics through chess-based learning.

“The achievement of these educators reflects their dedication and the ongoing partnership between the BCA and the Department of Education. Together, they continue to introduce and promote chess as a valuable educational resource for Bermuda’s children, fostering skills that extend beyond the classroom.

“This development marks an exciting step forward in Bermuda’s educational initiatives, promising to enrich students’ learning experiences and equip them with vital skills for the future.”