Stephen

Music, Chess and Sports Teacher

Resources

Bookings

Checkmate Champs: A Fun Journey Into Chess

Mondays

4:00pm - 5:00pm

12 Classes

9/15, 9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17, 12/1, 12/8, 12/15

Grades 2-5

20 students

Checkmate Champs: A Fun Journey Into Chess

Tuesdays

5:00pm - 6:00pm

8 Classes

9/23, 9/30, 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/11

Grades 3-5

20 students

Checkmate Champs: A Fun Journey Into Chess

Tuesdays

4:00pm - 5:00pm

8 Classes

9/23, 9/30, 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/11

Grades K-2

20 students

Creative Canvas Color Adventures

Thursdays

3:15pm - 4:15pm

9 Classes

9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13

Grades K-2

Enrollment pending

EcoARTventures in the Animal Kingdom

Fridays

4:00pm - 5:00pm

13 Classes

9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17, 10/24, 10/31, 11/7, 11/14, 11/21, 12/5, 12/12, 12/19

Grades TK-1

20 students

View Teaching Calendar

Experiences

Embark on a journey into the Animal Kingdom, where art and STEM merge in an adventure of discovery and creativity. Explore diverse ecosystems, uncovering secrets of animal camouflage and defense. Through hands-on projects, imagination and curiosity thrive.
...
View Lesson Plan
A colorful canvas awaits as young artists dive into painting, coloring, and using markers to bring their vivid imaginations to life. They will explore foundational art theory and visual techniques, enhancing fine motor skills and appreciation for art.
...
View Lesson Plan
Dive into the realm of fairytales and popular stories where creativity flourishes. Embark on an imaginative journey with Disney characters and mythical creatures. Paint legendary heroes, sculpt fantastical beasts, and explore different artistic techniques.
...
View Lesson Plan
Explore the world of watercolors in the "Watercolor Masterclass" series, where creativity flourishes. Young artists explore painting techniques like perspective, layering, blending, and shading. Colors come alive on paper, transforming surfaces into works of art, showcasing beauty from a sunset to a dreamscape.
...
View Lesson Plan
This chess club offers an engaging adventure where young minds explore the captivating story of chess. They will learn the rules, master opening moves, plan ahead, and develop advanced strategies. Along the way, they'll enhance problem-solving, critical thinking, and patience while having fun.
...
View Lesson Plan
Dive into the mesmerizing world of watercolor! Kids will explore the magic of mixing colors, creating layers, and understanding perspective. This experience nurtures artistic expression, patience, and focus, helping children develop fine motor skills and a deeper appreciation for art.
...
View Lesson Plan
Discover the magical world of art with "Watercolour for Kids!" In this multi-week series, kids will delve into watercolour painting, exploring essential techniques and principles that spark creativity and imagination. They'll master basics like blending and shading and understand concepts like perspective. This series nurtures a love for painting while helping develop fine motor skills and artistic confidence. Kids will experiment with vibrant colors and unique watercolour effects, unlocking their potential and expressing creativity. Let imaginations run wild as simple ideas transform into beautiful works of art!
...
View Lesson Plan
Ignite curiosity with the Arts and STEM Series, where creativity meets innovation. This fun experience blends arts and STEM, allowing exploration through experimenting with colors, sounds, and structures. Enjoy imaginative art projects, fascinating science experiments, and hands-on activities in technology and engineering.
...
View Lesson Plan
Set the board and dive into an exciting Chess series for kids! This multi-week adventure covers everything from basic moves to advanced techniques. Discover the art of opening, strategic planning, and friendly competition. With engaging activities and matches, kids improve their skills and learn valuable lessons. Make new friends and enjoy each victory and lesson. Whether aiming for grandmaster or just fun, this series is perfect for curious minds!
...
View Lesson Plan
Explore the world of sound with "Music Production and Theory for Beginners"! In this multi-week series, participants delve into music, creating their own tunes and exploring music theory and production. They'll experiment with genres, craft melodies, and rhythms, all while gaining creative skills and confidence.
...
View Lesson Plan
Where young athletes learn the game's rules, enhance skills, and explore teamwork! From dribbling to shooting, discover the joy of playing and nurturing a love for the game. Enjoy dynamic drills, engaging activities, and make lasting friendships.
...
View Lesson Plan
Dribble Dreams: Bounce Buddies is a lively basketball series where love for the game takes center court. Through fun activities and friendly challenges, children refine dribbling, shooting, and team play skills while making lasting friendships. It's a place to develop coordination, boost confidence, and enjoy basketball.
...
View Lesson Plan
Welcome to the Soccer Stars Academy, where young athletes can enjoy an exciting multi-week soccer journey. Participants will dive into the fundamentals of soccer, perfect footwork, develop teamwork skills, and have fun with new friends on the field. Experience the joy of the game and build confidence.
...
View Lesson Plan
Explore the world of sound with "Mini Mix Masters," a dynamic Music Production Series for budding DJs and producers. Participants embark on an adventure into music creation using digital tools. They will gain a foundational understanding of mixing and producing tracks, enhancing problem-solving and artistic skills. Discover the joy of self-expression and musical imagination in a collaborative and fun environment.
...
View Lesson Plan
Discover "Earth Buddies: Our World, Our Stories," a journey into the wonders of anthropology and environmental studies. Explore diverse cultures, traditions, and natural environments through storytelling, games, and immersive activities. Uncover fascinating tales while nurturing a connection to the Earth.
...
View Lesson Plan
"Checkmate Champs: A Fun Journey Into Chess" invites students to explore the world of knights, kings, and strategy. Through captivating games, interactive challenges, and skill-building exercises, kids dive into chess, thinking several moves ahead and developing critical problem-solving skills. In this multi-week series, they will explore the chessboard, discover the unique movements of each piece, and learn opening moves, mid-game tactics, and epic checkmates. Mini-tournaments and team activities keep their competitive spirits high, making each session a celebration of learning and fun. Whether new to chess or looking to sharpen their skills, children will gain confidence and a greater appreciation for this classic game.
...
View Lesson Plan
Step back in time with "Classic Schoolyard Games!" This series brings kids together to enjoy recess with a modern twist. From timeless favorites like tag, kickball, and hopscotch to an array of energetic activities, each session promises excitement and laughter. Experience physical games that promote teamwork, coordination, and pure fun. Ideal for those with boundless energy and a love for outdoor sports, this adventure highlights the simple pleasures of schoolyard play. Watch as children boost their fitness, learn new skills, and create lasting memories, all while having a blast in the great outdoors!
...
View Lesson Plan
This fun series brings back classic games like spud, hopscotch, four square, red rover, red light green light, and capture the flag, along with exciting tag variations. Experience the timeless joy of these playground games, build teamwork skills, enhance coordination, and boost creativity.
...
View Lesson Plan
Grasshopper mascot smiling with admiration
Grasshopper mascot peeking out from behind content container

About Stephen

Originally from Ireland and with a Bachelor's degree in Art and Design, Stephen discovered his passion for teaching while working as a camp counsellor as a teenager. He specializes in teaching music, chess and sports, and brings a diverse set of skills to his teaching, incorporating painting, making music, and surf tenets and culture. Stephen believes in the power of a fun, varied education and strives to inspire and support student growth through his multifaceted experiences and enthusiasm for learning.

Class reflections

Watercolour Masterclass

🎨

April 17, 2025

YMCA/Sutro Elementary

Fantastic, I really enjoy this class. Everything went according to plan and the kids really enjoy painting and learning. I really like Sutro Elementary and the early morning class :) it would be awesome to teach more classes there.

Todays lesson was on colour blending and mixing, so we started the class discussing what colour we get when we mix different colours. I then explained the lesson for today and what we are doing, showing pictures of examples and also passing around a real life example that I had made previously. We painted trees with the leaves lots of cool funky colours that blended into each other. We first done the leaves and while it was drying we had story time to split the class and give the kids a break. After story time we finished our trees. The last 10 minutes of class are spent discussing each others paintings, giving compliments and then cleaning up.

Watercolour Masterclass

🎨

April 10, 2025

YMCA/Sutro Elementary

Fantastic, each kid is eager to learn and to create, they all listen very well and their unique personalities and inspirations make art class a delight. Classes like this make me feel as if I have the best job in the world. I feel as if I am really teaching something and that they are really learning. 10/10

Since this was the first class, I started with a small “get to know” exercise, so I could learn everybody’s name and something about them and they could learn the same from me. Then some ground rules were established in regards to classroom expectations and how to use watercolour paints correctly. Our first class was about learning how the paints behave and different ways we could use them, each kid completed their own sunset silhouette painting. I split the class in two, with story time in the middle, to give them a mental break. When class is over we gather all our paintings together and discuss what we like and what we’ve learned. This was a terrific class.

Testimonials

“”
So far the students love chess...Truthfully in the past week all my upper grade students have been talking about how much they want to play chess and beat each other at it.
Danilo P, K-8 School Enrichment Coordinator