Ms. Torres: Well, originally, my reason for the program was because I felt that… I thought it would be a good conflict resolution piece. I also happened to know Mr. Abrams very well, and I know his teaching techniques, and I felt that through the chess program, the children would gain self-esteem. I knew that his methods would create an environment where a child, if he were disruptive, would become a more calm child. I also felt that the chess program within itself is a large motivator. I thought that all of those pieces put together would help the children’s critical thinking skills, conflict resolution pieces… and just be a motivator for the children to really get on track and to have that desire to learn. But again I say the key factor there was Mr. Abrams, with all of the other pieces falling in.

Ms. Torres: Actually, I was able to do it without too much red tape. I’m a Title 1 school, which means that, basically, most of my children are low poverty area, and they're entitled to services. So I paid his salary that way, because he was servicing children who were of a low economic background. The superintendent has come and seen his program - she’s very happy with it. And the way I work the program, because it is literacy based, with a writing program this year, that sort of covers me. It’s a learning program, not just a game. And that’s what people have to realize, that it’s not just a game. And that’s the reason I’m able to pay him.