Unified Esports League

Gaming and Technology Education To Create Social-Emotional Growth

Helping people with disabilities grow through their passion for gaming and technology.

Mission

  1. Utilize the positive aspects of technology and gaming to enhance social emotional well being through the development of friendships, team building, and community engagement.

  2. Utilize all of the positive aspects of team sports and gaming to help our clients develop important life skills such as communication, collaborating with others, critical thinking, and problem solving.

  3. Improve physical health and well being through curriculum in healthy posture, nutrition, exercise and more. Healthy body = healthy mind = good gamer.

  4. Help people explore and cultivate their passion for gaming, esports, and technology.

MANAGEMENT

  • Matthew Iske

    FOUNDER + CEO

    Matthew Iske is a business owner, non-profit founder, and teacher. He has been elected as a NASEF Scholastic Fellow, and is one of 30 people in 12+ countries that are developing STEAM and SEL esports curriculum internationally for in-school and after school esports programs all over the world. Matthew oversees all aspects of the operation of UESL.

  • Tamaz Bolkvadze

    OPERATIONS MANAGER

    Tamaz is the nuts and bolts of our organization, among many things he works inside and outside of the classroom to make sure the program and business functions smoothly. Having met when they were just 6 years old, Matthew and Tamaz have been friends for over 20 years. They now work together to make Unified ESL thrive.

  • Tony Rubino

    BUSINESS + SPECIAL NEEDS DEVELOPMENT

    Tony is the coach of the Poway Padres, a nationally ranked, adult special needs softball team. With over 25 years of experience in business and advocating and coaching people with special needs and disabilities, Tony provides deep insight and value to make the Unified ESL program thrive.

MARKETING

  • Kelly Dawn Noel Hopkins

    DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

  • Sergio Santamaria

    VIDEOGRAPHER

GAMING + TECHNOLOGY COACHING TEAM

  • Brenda Sanchez

    Brenda was one of the first people to compete for UESL. She competed in the inaugural 2022 UESL Super Smash Bros Ultimate season and placed second in all of North County San Diego She now works as a coach helping others to learn about the infinite potential of video games and technology.

  • Brissa Sanchez

    Brissa has played video games with her sister for as long as she can remember. “I never had a particular game I enjoyed: so long as everyone was having fun, any game brought a smile to my face.” As for her future, she wants video games to become a medium of communication, another way for people to learn how to collaborate with one another and communicate their thoughts clearly. “Most of all, I want video games to’ be what they’ve always been: a way to have fun.

  • Slyvia Lomblot

    Sylvia is an experienced educator and advocate for individuals with special needs. She works in the classroom of our Gaming and Technology Program to create ITEP plans for each client that attends. The ITEP (individual technology education plan) was invented by UESL and is led by Sylvia to create roadmaps for each of our clients to set and achieve goals in our program and in life beyond.

ADVISORY

  • Laura Mueller Psy. D, LEP

    NEURODIVERSE ADVISORY

    Laura Mueller is an educational psychologist with over 15 years of experience in public school districts conducting psycho-educational assessments, providing training and guidance for staff, and working directly with students with a wide range of disabilities. She generously provides assistance and guidance to UESL in helping the organization to structure its curriculum and lesson plans.

  • Kerri Graham

    PRESIDENT PARENT ADVISORY BOARD

    As the President of UESL’s Parent Advisory Board Kerri helps to translate the positive impact of gaming & technology to others in our community. She is working together with her son (Ruxin) to champion our Gaming & Technology After School Program. This program will be the first of its kind in Poway, CA and will translate our youth’s passion for gaming and technology into career and college pathways.

  • Ruxin Graham

    STUDENT LEADER

    Ruxin helps to raise awareness for the power of video games. He advocates for gaming and its ability to bring our community together and help students thrive. Ruxin, among many things, is a commentator for UESL tournaments and works closely with his mom (Kerri) to build groundbreaking new gaming & technology programs throughout Poway.