Coach Dave is a distinguished VEX Robotics coach with extensive experience at Blaze Robotics Academy. Over three seasons, Dave has coached a total of 68 teams, with 44 teams making it to State Championships and 18 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 Daisy holds both a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Information Management and Psychology from the University of Washington and is the holder of a national patent. With five years of robotics coaching experience, she has guided over 20 IQ teams to State and World Championships, taught over 600 students, providing expert mentorship that enhances robot performance and teamwork. A certified VEX judge, Daisy has officiated at regional and state championships, bringing valuable insights to competitions and coaching. Known for her patient and encouraging approach, she is a popular and trusted mentor for students and parents alike, driving innovation and excellence at Blaze Robotics Academy.

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 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 Spencer, a Software Engineering graduate and an accomplished VEX Robotics mentor, with over a decade of experience. Now in his fourth season as a coach, he has guided 11 teams to repeated qualifications for the VEX World Championships, multiple Signature Event titles, and even a World Champion team. He has been part of the VEX Robotics community since 2014 and has served as a head referee at the VEX World Championships, numerous Signature Events, and Regional Championships since 2017. Spencer is dedicated to helping students grow, excel, and reach their full potential in robotics.

Coach Yanlin holds a Computer Science degree from the University of Washington, Seattle, with a strong foundation in algorithm optimization and machine learning. Passionate about STEM education since high school, she brings years of experience working with students of all ages. At Blaze Robotics Academy, Evelyn primarily teaches robotics programming across multiple languages, helping students develop both technical proficiency and creative problem-solving skills. Her dynamic, student-focused approach builds confidence and fosters long-term success. Outside the classroom, she enjoys basketball, taekwondo, Chinese calligraphy, and art design—always finding new ways to connect diverse knowledge and inspire curiosity in students at Blaze Robotics Academy.

Coach Randall is a graduate from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a bachelor's degree in Computer Science. Teaching courses for C++ and Python, he cares deeply for cultivating passion in technology and helping groups work together to accomplish goals. When he's not coaching, he enjoys music, running, and playing with his cats.

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.

Phoebe is currently pursuing a degree in biochemistry and has had a long-standing interest in STEM. At Blaze Robotics Academy, she supports both competitions and administrative operations. In 2024, she played a key role in running the 3-day VRC Signature Event at Microsoft Headquarters, which brought together 134 teams from around the world with more than 900 students and their families. There, she coordinated volunteers and assisted with competition management. She is excited to take on an even larger role at the upcoming 2026 Signature Event. Phoebe is passionate about creating an environment where students can explore, learn, and grow their love for robotics. Outside of robotics, she enjoys hiking, rock climbing, ceramics, and walking her dog.

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.

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.