Coach Vasey is excited to launch esports clubs across the district, building on his years of success leading Minecraft clubs at Sprague School. Guided by a coaching philosophy centered on teamwork, inclusivity, and sportsmanship, he creates a supportive and fun environment where students build resilience, develop essential life skills, and form lasting connections through gaming.

With 25 years of experience in education, Coach Vasey has worn many hats, from elementary classroom teacher to instructional technology coach, and is passionate about student engagement and the transformative power of play. Currently serving the Lincolnshire-Prairie View School District in Illinois, he supports staff and students in integrating technology into learning. Beyond his daily role, Coach Vasey sponsors after-school and summer programs in coding, robotics, and 21st-century skills.

Coach Vasey also collaborates with insight2execution, training educators nationwide to use Minecraft as an innovative teaching tool. This summer, he will showcase D103's groundbreaking esports journey to educators worldwide at the ISTE Conference in San Antonio, Texas.

With over 12 years of teaching experience and a deep passion for gaming, Coach Ingratta is excited to be one of the esports coaches! As the founder of Game Club at Daniel Wright for the past three years, he has cultivated a dynamic environment where students can explore their love for gaming while developing critical skills like teamwork, strategy, and communication.

Coach Ingratta's approach as an esports coach combines his extensive teaching background with a deep understanding of competitive gaming. He focuses on creating well-rounded players, not only by improving in-game performance but also by fostering strong leadership, mental resilience, and collaboration. He believes that esports is more than just about winning—it's about growth, discipline, and honing skills that players can apply both in and out of the gaming world.

Having led the Game Club at Daniel Wright, Coach Ingratta has successfully organized and coached students through competitions, helping them build confidence and refine their gameplay strategies, as well as build positive relationships with their peers. He is committed to creating a positive, supportive, and motivating atmosphere where players can thrive, whether they are just starting or looking to reach the next level in their esports journey. His focus is to share his knowledge and love for gaming with others!

"Pass on what you have learned." — Yoda

With 25 years of experience in education, Coach Popjoy brings a passion for teaching and a commitment to nurturing young minds through innovative programs. As an esports educator, she specializes in introducing early elementary students to the exciting world of competitive gaming. A passion that Coach Popjoy continues to pursue as an educator is a commitment to developing social-emotional skills, even in the virtual classroom environment. Kindness and teamwork are key in esports and beyond!

In their sessions, students engage in collaborative challenges like resource management, redstone engineering, and world-building. They also explore coding, building critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a fun, immersive environment.

Coach Popjoy's goal is to create a safe, inclusive space where students learn teamwork, sportsmanship, and creativity—all while leveling up their in-game and real-world skills. Let's build, craft, and achieve together—one block at a time!