The Learning Lab

Spring Chess Club Offerings:

All classes offered at Maplewood Outdoor School Classroom: 513 Valley St, Maplewood, NJ

SOMA Chess: Elementary Chess Club - Grades K- 2 (Mondays)

Time: Monday, 4:15 - 5:15 pm

Dates: 4/8 - 6/17 (No class 5/27 for Memorial Day)

This 10-week course is designed for chess beginners with a foundational knowledge of the game. Participants will review names of the pieces, their movement and value, set-up, capture, and basic chess strategies. In addition, students will study the concepts of check, checkmate, stalemate and castling. Through solving chess puzzles and friendly peer games, students will develop critical skills including patience, persistence, problem-solving, logic and reasoning. Class begins with 15 minutes of a warm-up activity and strategy instruction, followed by 45 minutes of friendly peer play. Student who finish games early also have the opportunity to solve chess puzzles, participate in team games or simul games with Mr. Jeff.

SOMA Chess: Elementary Chess Club - Grades 3-5 (Mondays)

Time: Monday, 5:30 - 6:30pm

Dates: 4/8 - 6/17 (No class 5/27 for Memorial Day)

This 10-week course is designed for players with an understanding of the basic concepts and rules of chess. Our 3rd-5th Grade Chess Club is for players who wish to improve their game techniques and acquire understanding of new tactics and strategies, including opening concepts, forks, pins, and various end-of-game positions. Through solving chess puzzles and friendly peer games, students will develop critical skills including patience, persistence, problem-solving, logic and reasoning. 

SOMA Chess: Open/Intermediate, Grades 1-5 (Tuesdays)

Time: Tuesday, 5:00 - 6:00pm

Dates: 4/9 - 6/11

This 10-week course is designed for elementary chess students from grades 1 through 5 who are interested in honing their skills with a window into the fun and competitive world of tournament-style chess. Players will refine their tactical knowledge and strategies through weekly mini-lessons and over-the-board application. Through friendly peer games and puzzle analysis, students will develop critical skills including creative thinking, problem-solving, logic & reasoning, and better concentration. Clocks, time controls, and tournament formats and etiquette will also be introduced.

The Next Semester x Maplewood Public Library (Winter 2024):

Tween and Teen Chess Group:

In collaboration with the Maplewood Public Library, we are thrilled to bring this free to the public Chess Program to our community! The Tween and Teen Chess group is ideal for rising 6th-12th graders and is open to all levels. Players will learn and further develop technique, tactics and strategies through weekly mini-lessons and over-the-board application. Through friendly peer games and puzzle analysis, students will develop critical skills including creative thinking, problem-solving, logic & reasoning, and better concentration. Players can RSVP for individual dates at the link below.

Year Round Offerings:

College Advisement and College Essay Drafting with Amanda:

As a career Academic Advisor at The New School (Parsons School of Design/Eugene Lang College) in New York City, Adjunct Writing Instructor (Seton Hall University), and former classroom teacher (New York City Dept. of Ed), I have spent nearly two decades helping students prepare for and succeed in their transition into higher education. It is my personal philosophy that college advisement and preparation should be accessible and holistic - focusing on the needs and values of individual students and providing a differentiated approach to help each student reach their unique goals. My pedagogical style is scaffolded to help students and families navigate the sometime complex structures of colleges and universities, and I offer tiered wrap-around support, advocating for and supporting my clients into their first months of higher education. Services are offered in a bundle or a la carte, based on individual need.

Services Include:

  • Guidance in selecting courses and identifying community-based learning, volunteer, leadership, and extra-curricular opportunities that help students develop a college profile that resonates with their individual values, strengths, and academic/professional goals (9th - 10th grade).

  • Linking students with community partners for ACT/SAT preparation (10th - 11th grade).

  • Support with drafting and completing all elements of the Common App and supplemental college applications, portfolios, and essays (rising Seniors).

  • Post-Acceptance Support including: College financing options and FAFSA assistance, Grant and Scholarship search and application support, Drafting a Success Plan for First Year Transitions (identifying necessary contacts/offices at individual campuses), advocacy and support in securing special services and physical/academic accommodations (IEP/504) on campus (12th grade/post-acceptance).

Because we value accessibility and opportunity above all, our College Advising pricing is always based on a sliding-scale.

Private Chess Coaching with Coach Jeff:

We offer flexible, individualized coaching sessions geared towards beginner-to-intermediate players looking for a focused, 1:1 chess-playing environment. Drawing on years of playing, teaching, and his own tournament experience, Jeff will work with students to identify their strengths, weaknesses, areas to develop, and appropriate level of tournament play. Private sessions may range from one-off lessons to ongoing weekly lessons.

Small Group Chess with Coach Jeff:

Small groups (ranging from 2-6 students) are ideal for children looking to learn and play together and provide the perfect opportunity to have fun and develop chess skills alongside friends! Through games of peer chess and hand & brain team chess, to puzzles and tactical reviews, to fun mini-games, Jeff ensures that small groups are inclusive, fun and informative for groups that span the range of beginner to intermediate players.

About The Teachers!

Mr. Jeff is an avid Chess player, member of the US Chess Federation, and local dad who loves sharing the joy of chess with the next generation of aspiring grandmasters! When he is not teaching Chess or Guitar Lessons, Mr. Jeff applies the logic, patience, and reasoning gained from “the King’s game” to his role as a Program Manager at Amazon and jams with his parent-punk band “Rites of Springfield”.  


Amanda is a career Academic Advisor (The New School) and educator who is dually certified in Special Education and English Language Arts. She brings her years of experience teaching in both New York City public schools and in college classrooms at Seton Hall University to The Learning Lab in hopes of making learning fun and accessible to all students. She is also a volunteer writing instructor with The Petey Greene Program working with justice impacted adults at Fort Dix Federal Prison.

What Parents Are Saying…

We cannot praise enough the quality of education our daughter has received from The Next Semester over the last 18 months.  Jeff and Amanda have that special combination of endless dedication and depth of heart that parents dream about for their children. 

 Virtual school hasn't been easy on our daughter's confidence and enthusiasm towards learning.  Fortunately, we were able to work with them on keeping her above water during this unprecedented time.  Their approach is elastic - it doesn't just focus on her necessary areas of growth, it celebrates her strengths as well (as a student and a person).  By creating this thoughtful balance for her,  she has developed a confidence in her learning - and an understanding that there are some things she needs to work harder at (for her it's reading).  To see her swagger when a challenge has finally clicked gives us great pride as her parents.  We are beyond grateful for the influence Jeff and Amanda have had on her educational journey.  

- Kim & Greg Granito

When our district only offered remote schooling and we needed help, we turned to Amanda and Jeffrey to facilitate and expand on our daughters first grade education. Not only did they eclipse any and all expectations as teachers, they provided a safe and nurturing atmosphere during a terrifying time in our lives. With their dedication, attentiveness to individual needs, and passion, my daughter thrived in a year when so many struggled.

Both individually and together they are the kindest, most understanding teachers we've had the privilege of working with. They went above and beyond to make sure our daughter was learning and progressing on track, and enjoying herself while doing so. They created appropriate incentives, prepared STEM activities for her to enjoy, and found ways to further the curriculum throughout the day.

I'm so grateful for their services and will always use them for any tutoring needs.

-Christy Harmon

We can’t recommend The Next Semester enough!! My son spent his first grade year with Mr Jeff & Miss Amanda, and in a pandemic year that could have been terrible, he thrived. Being able to go to a supportive, enriching environment every day for his lessons had a huge impact on him. He started the year as a shy, anxious and uncertain kid. He is now brimming with confidence, outgoing and sure of himself. Even more importantly, he has developed a love of learning and tremendous excitement around school. The Next Semester was an integral part of that growth. We are so grateful to Amanda and Jeffrey for their support of our son and he is so excited to take more classes with them this fall!

-Kelly and Jon McKesten

Maplewood, NJ