In Episode 126, I have the pleasure of conversing with National Expert Elizabeth Spiegel, IS 318 Coach. IS 318 is an urban public school in Brooklyn, NY that has won more national championships than most schools in the country. They were featured in the award winning film "Brooklyn Castle". She is one of a few if not the only full-time chess teachers in the New York City Department of Education. We talk IS 318's culture, NYC's free tournaments, founding of the school's program, the benefits of chess programs in schools, assessment methods, the Chess-Steps Curriculum, the filming of "Brooklyn Castle", the aftermath of the film, best practices for the nationals and more.