I run chess clubs after school and the parents pay. PTAs pay me to run chess classes during the school day. People pay me to come to their house and teach them or their child. I make week long chess summer camps for kids. I make tournaments for the kids on teacher work-days. I do online lessons. etc. etc. etc.
The average elementary school kid in most of my clubs would be rated something like 500 USCF maybe a few 1000-12000 at the very top. In this setting your ability to work with kids is 100x more important than your rating. A 1600 teacher than knows how to handle kids is perfectly fine.
The average elementary school kid in most of my clubs would be rated something like 500 USCF maybe a few 1000-12000 at the very top. In this setting your ability to work with kids is 100x more important than your rating. A 1600 teacher than knows how to handle kids is perfectly fine.