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Learn Chess from a 7-time New Mexico Women's State Champion
Holly M.

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Hourly Rate: $80
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About Holly

Bio

I am a FIDE-rated competitive chess player and a seven-time New Mexico Women’s State Chess Champion with decades of experience playing, studying, and teaching chess. I have competed nationally and internationally, including at the FIDE World Amateur Chess Championships in Greece, and have trained with titled players, including Grandmasters. My competitive experience allows me to teach students not only the rules and fundamentals of chess, but also tactics, strategy, calculation, opening...

I am a FIDE-rated competitive chess player and a seven-time New Mexico Women’s State Chess Champion with decades of experience playing, studying, and teaching chess. I have competed nationally and internationally, including at the FIDE World Amateur Chess Championships in Greece, and have trained with titled players, including Grandmasters. My competitive experience allows me to teach students not only the rules and fundamentals of chess, but also tactics, strategy, calculation, opening principles, endgames, game analysis, and tournament preparation.

I also bring more than 20 years of teaching and tutoring experience to my chess instruction. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in University Studies from the University of New Mexico and completed extensive graduate coursework in Special Education at the University of New Mexico. My professional teaching experience has included classroom instruction as well as many years of one-on-one and small-group tutoring. Since 2020, I have worked as an independent contractor with Varsity Tutors, providing individualized online instruction to students of different ages, backgrounds, and ability levels.

In chess lessons, I adapt instruction to the individual student rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. With beginners, I build a strong foundation through piece movement, board awareness, basic tactics, checkmates, and guided play. As students progress, I incorporate calculation, strategic planning, opening and endgame concepts, analysis of the student’s own games, and targeted practice based on recurring strengths and weaknesses. I work with children, teens, and adults and strive to make chess instruction structured, encouraging, and appropriately challenging for each student.

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Education

University of New Mexico
University Studies
University of New Mexico
Graduate Coursework

Policies

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Approved Subjects

ADHD

ADHD

I have over 20 years of teaching experience working with students with diverse learning needs, including students with ADHD. My extensive graduate-level training in Special Education focused on Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, individualized instruction, and effective behavior and learning supports. I specialize in breaking tasks into manageable steps, maintaining engagement, and adapting instruction to each student’s individual strengths and needs. I help students develop confidence, independence, and practical strategies for academic success.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

I have over 20 years of teaching experience working with students with diverse learning needs, including students on the autism spectrum. My extensive graduate-level training in Special Education focused on Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, individualized instruction, and evidence-based learning and behavioral supports. I adapt my teaching style to each student’s communication, learning, and sensory needs while breaking skills into clear, manageable steps. I strive to create a patient, structured, and encouraging environment where students can build confidence and independence.
Chess

Chess

I am a 7-time New Mexico Women’s State Chess Champion and FIDE-rated competitive player with decades of experience playing and studying chess. I have competed nationally and internationally, including at the FIDE World Amateur Chess Championships in Greece, and have trained with titled players, including Grandmasters. I bring more than 20 years of teaching and tutoring experience and work with children, teens, and adults from complete beginners through developing competitive players. My instruction includes chess fundamentals, tactics, strategy, calculation, openings, endgames, game analysis, and tournament preparation, tailored to each student’s individual goals and playing level.
Executive Functioning

Executive Functioning

I have over 20 years of teaching and tutoring experience helping students develop the skills needed to become more organized, focused, and independent learners. I teach practical strategies for planning, time management, organization, task initiation, prioritizing assignments, and breaking larger tasks into manageable steps. My extensive graduate-level coursework in Special Education has strengthened my ability to individualize strategies for students with different learning and attention needs. I focus on helping each student develop practical routines and strategies they can use independently at school and at home.
Phonics

Phonics

I have over 20 years of teaching and tutoring experience helping students strengthen their reading and literacy skills. I teach phonics through explicit, step-by-step instruction in letter-sound relationships, blending, decoding, and word recognition. I adapt lessons to each student’s learning needs and provide plenty of guided practice to build both accuracy and confidence. My goal is to help struggling and beginning readers develop the foundational skills they need to become more independent, successful readers.
Special Needs

Special Needs

I have over 20 years of teaching and tutoring experience working with students with a wide range of learning, behavioral, and academic needs. My extensive graduate-level coursework in Special Education focused on Emotional and Behavioral Disorders and gave me a strong foundation in individualized instruction and behavior support. I adapt lessons to each student’s strengths, needs, learning style, and pace while breaking challenging skills into manageable steps. I strive to create a patient, structured, and encouraging environment where students can build confidence, independence, and academic success.
Study Skills

Study Skills

I have over 20 years of teaching and tutoring experience helping students develop the skills they need to become more successful and independent learners. I teach practical strategies for organization, time management, note-taking, test preparation, and breaking large assignments into manageable steps. I tailor strategies to each student’s individual learning style, strengths, and challenges rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. My goal is to help students build confidence, stronger academic habits, and study skills they can use throughout their education.
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Hourly Rate: $80
Contact Holly