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Hello, I'm Erik Czerwin...
Hello, I'm Erik Czerwin...
I'm an events wizard, a former machinist, a former teacher, a tutor, a coach, a husband, a father, and a chess fanatic. I also wear many other hats. I work constantly to improve myself, my family, and my community. I believe that hard work and positive action lead to success and satisfaction; to that end, I pursue my interests relentlessly.
My work life began as a classroom teacher because I have a passion for education, for reading instruction, for writing instruction, and for chess instruction. Education is one of the greatest benefits and necessities of a free, democratic society, and I was honored to be a part of it. I was a public school teacher in Illinois from the fall of 2005 through the spring of 2024.
I began teaching Language Arts at Washington Gifted School in Peoria, IL, and regrettably had to change locations due to school closings. I then taught English at Woodruff HS (also in Peoria) and moved locations again after my first son was born. I thoroughly enjoyed my next 5 years teaching writing and honors English at Marengo HS. After completing my Masters in Reading Instruction, I began teaching literacy intervention classes at Guilford High School in Rockford, IL. After 3 years of teaching all Literacy classes, I transitioned back into core courses by teaching English 12 and ACT Prep. My final 7 years in the classroom were spent on AP Literature & Composition and Co-Taught English 12.
After 19 years of teaching, I left the classroom to pursue a life outside of the formal education world. Wildman Rocketry was looking to expand into manufacturing its own fiberglass, so that's where I went. Having established a relationship with owner, Tim Lehr, after years of hobby flying, I was glad to join his crew and launch Wildman to the next level. Despite a massive shift in work-tasks from teaching English to machine work and industrial production, we were successful in full-scale production of filament-wound fiberglass rocketry components.
After a challenging year of growth, the fiberglass shop was up and running successfully, and the opportunity came to pursue chess as a full-time career. So in April 2025, I accepted a position as Events Manager at the US Chess Federation and 90 days later promoted to Assistant Director of Events. In that role, I work with the USChess team to arrange, organize, plan, and execute the US Chess National Events as well as support events run by our affiliates. It's an amazing way to share my passion for chess all across the country. My complete work history can be found here.
While teaching, I had the opportunity to teach and coach chess every year. In just 5 years, I coached the 2011-12 Marengo team to the school's first Illinois Division 1A chess team championship. Later, after re-establishing the Guilford Chess Team and running it as Head Coach for 12 years, I was lucky enough to have my oldest son on the team for 4 years. When he graduated, I also left K-12 education, and the chess team was handed off to coach Emilio Rodriguez for the 24-25 season.
Beyond teaching and coaching chess, I've authored an instructional chess book titled Chess Progress: From Beginner to Winner, released in 2014. In April of 2017, I founded Rock River Chess as a formal USCF Affiliate to help grow chess in the Rock River area. Rock River Chess ran chess booths and tents at area activities, advocated for chess in the community, taught chess lessons, and operated chess tournaments throughout the state. I shuttered Rock River Chess in 2024 to focus more broadly on the rural areas of Illinois with Prairie View Hobbies. My complete chess accomplishments and work can be found here.
Besides all that... I'm constantly doing something, anything; I don't sit still very well. So in addition to my 9to5 work, I devote countless hours to serving the Illinois Chess Coaches Association, the Northern Illinois Chess League, and other community organizations. Prior to working for Wildman Rocketry, I spent much of my free time building and flying model and high-power rockets. Information about my rocketry hobby can be found here. Every now and then, I still love to get to a launch.
As a daily writer, I've got a passion for stationery... Once I found the whole subculture around fountain pens and related stationery products, and I felt like I'd found friends I always knew were out there. I've built a small collection of pens and inks. I love the gadgetry, the fidgeting aspect of fountain pens. It gives me something to work on, to elevate my writing utensils above the ordinary. With little luxury in my life, every time I write with excellent pens or paper, I feel a sense of luxury in this usually mundane task.
My family...
My family...
In 2005, I was married to my college sweetheart, Tiffany. We met in college and dated long-distance for 4 years before finally tying the knot one month after I graduated. Together, we moved to Peoria, IL, to begin our family. After working in Peoria for two years, we moved to Rockford, IL. In 2024, we moved to a small town where we currently reside. We've been blessed with 3 children, and as a family, we enjoy outdoor family activities such as hiking, camping, and rocketry, as well as indoor activities such as board games, riddling, and podcasts.
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