Coach Dave is a distinguished VEX Robotics coach with extensive experience at Blaze Robotics Academy. Over three seasons, Dave has coached a total of 42 teams, with 27 teams making it to State Championships and 15 teams advancing to the Worlds Championship. His coaching philosophy emphasizes encouraging students, keeping their passion for robotics alive, and creating a patient and inclusive learning environment. Dave’s approach makes learning fun and engaging, helping students to excel in robotics competitions and achieve their full potential.

Coach Max brings extensive experience in robotics coaching, mentoring, and competition judging. having coached VEX, FRC, and FTC teams and developed VEX curriculum. As captain of the high school Robohawks Team 8000, Max achieved significant competition success, including being VEX Worlds Finalists in 2014, Worlds Division Champions in 2015, Worlds Division Finalists in 2016 and 2017, and NorCal State Champions in 2017. She was selected as a VEX Worlds Student Ambassador from 2016 to 2018, a role for the most exemplary students, and has been a distinguished referee and judge at the VEX Worlds Championship and various Signature events. Max's leadership ensures our students receive top-tier coaching and mentorship.

Coach Daisy, holding degrees in informatics and psychology from the University of Washington, has enriched Blaze Robotics Academy with four years of dedicated robotics education. As a certified judge who has officiated at regional and state championships, she has successfully coached 5 IQ teams to the State and World Championships, providing critical feedback that enhanced robot performance. Known for her patient and encouraging demeanor, Daisy is beloved by both students and parents. Her expertise in coaching and judging highlights her role as a pivotal member of the Blaze community, fostering a nurturing and innovative learning environment.

Coach Bowen, with a computer science degree from the University of Washington, teaches courses like "C++ for VRC Game" and "Level Up Coding for VEX IQ" at Blaze Robotics Academy. He began his teaching career in high school and is passionate about solving engineering challenges and fostering a love for technology among his students. Beyond the classroom, Bowen is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hiking, fishing, and hunting, activities that provide fresh perspectives to his work in technology. His commitment to education and technology makes him a key figure in nurturing a community passionate about innovation and learning.

Coach Jayden, a robotics enthusiast, began his journey in robotics after experiencing the VEX Worlds competition in third grade. As the Team Captain of 1622V Forza, he led his team to over 30 regional tournament awards and achieved a Top 10 world ranking in Robot Skills for the 2020-2021 season. His dedication and creative approach have led his team to the Dome twice as Divisional Champions at the World Championships during the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 seasons. Beyond competitions, Jayden is passionate about mentoring younger students and making a positive impact through robotics education. He encourages others to explore the innovation and challenges of robotics.

Coach Karen has a strong background in Computer Science from the University of Washington and extensive experience in robotics and STEM education. She loves helping students discover the exciting world of robotics and aims to inspire young minds to innovate while having fun and learning valuable life-long skills. Karen excels in project management and documentation, passionate about guiding students to enhance, record, and present their engineering design journey. At Blaze Robotics Academy, Karen has been teaching workshops and classes, fostering a love for robotics in students and helping them achieve their full potential.

Coach Mario is a seasoned robotics coach and technology leader. With a history of coaching 11 teams at the VEX IQ World Championship and serving as head referee at various tournaments over the last three years, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise. His professional background includes leadership roles in cutting-edge technologies like AI, ML, IoT, and advanced analytics. As a former corporate executive coach, Mario combines his tech acumen with strong leadership and mentorship skills. Committed to educating and inspiring the next generation, he empowers young minds through robotics, fostering future leaders with his passion for innovative technology.

Coach Chris has a unique coaching style that focuses on experiential learning, where he encourages students to "dream it, build it, test it." With 18 years at Microsoft and over a decade in coaching, including 10+ years as a baseball coach and 7 years as a VEX robotics coach, Chris believes in letting kids learn through their mistakes, a method he applies consistently across both middle and high school levels. Despite his main focus on these age groups, his extensive experience makes him a valuable mentor and trainer for the entire coaching team, enhancing their skills in fostering independent and critical thinking among students.