About us
About us
Our Mission
At Not A Very Good Teacher, our mission is to re-ignite the spirit of service, resilience, and physical readiness in a screen-first generation. We deliver U.S.-made games and experiences that blend challenge, fitness, and purpose—designed to connect Generation Alpha with service opportunities and leadership pathways.
At Not A Very Good Teacher, our mission is to re-ignite the spirit of service, resilience, and physical readiness in a screen-first generation. We deliver U.S.-made games and experiences that blend challenge, fitness, and purpose—designed to connect Generation Alpha with service opportunities and leadership pathways.
Meet Our Founder
Meet Our
Founder
Timothy Gick has served 18 years in the United States Marine Corps as a Reserve Lieutenant Colonel. From Officer Candidate School in 2007, through multiple tours in Afghanistan and the Republic of Georgia, to leadership roles in intelligence and reconnaissance—it was on those runs, rucks, and boots-on-the-ground missions that he forged his deep conviction: leadership is built through endurance; service is the ultimate calling.
He went on to found six companies—ranging from defense contracting and blockchain ventures to customer-service operations and restaurants in Tbilisi, Georgia. But while volunteering with the Toys for Tots Foundation in 2022, he noticed that nearly every toy came from overseas. He asked: Why not build something here—something fun, U.S.-manufactured, and that inspires kids to serve?
That question became the spark for Mission Match!, the first U.S.-made, military-themed memory card game created to get kids moving, thinking, and stepping into service.
Timothy Gick has served 18 years in the United States Marine Corps as a Reserve Lieutenant Colonel. From Officer Candidate School in 2007, through multiple tours in Afghanistan and the Republic of Georgia, to leadership roles in intelligence and reconnaissance—it was on those runs, rucks, and boots-on-the-ground missions that he forged his deep conviction: leadership is built through endurance; service is the ultimate calling.
He went on to found six companies—ranging from defense contracting and blockchain ventures to customer-service operations and restaurants in Tbilisi, Georgia. But while volunteering with the Toys for Tots Foundation in 2022, he noticed that nearly every toy came from overseas. He asked: Why not build something here—something fun, U.S.-manufactured, and that inspires kids to serve?
That question became the spark for Mission Match!, the first U.S.-made, military-themed memory card game created to get kids moving, thinking, and stepping into service.
What We Do
What
We Do
Mission Match!
Mission Match!
A deck of cards that connects kids ages 6 + to the five branches of service (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Space Force) and STEM & leadership pathways. The gameplay isn’t just fun—it builds memory skills, introduces leadership concepts, and invites real-world next steps into youth service organizations.
A deck of cards that connects kids ages 6 + to the five branches of service (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Space Force) and STEM & leadership pathways. The gameplay isn’t just fun—it builds memory skills, introduces leadership concepts, and invites real-world next steps into youth service organizations.
Pathfinder Games Live Events
Pathfinder Games Live Events
We host active-mission events across the U.S.—mini missions, fitness challenges, STEM tasks, and in-person meets with Sea Cadets, Young Marines, Civil Air Patrol, and more. These events drive our core belief: get kids off screens, into movement, and into community.
We host active-mission events across the U.S.—mini missions, fitness challenges, STEM tasks, and in-person meets with Sea Cadets, Young Marines, Civil Air Patrol, and more. These events drive our core belief: get kids off screens, into movement, and into community.
Give-Back & Impact
Give-Back & Impact
We’ve partnered with the Toys for Tots Foundation this holiday season—every time you buy a Mission Match! game, one is donated, and 10% of retail proceeds go back to the foundation for B2C sales.
We’ve partnered with the Toys for Tots Foundation this holiday season—every time you buy a Mission Match! game, one is donated, and 10% of retail proceeds go back to the foundation for B2C sales.
our core values
our core
values
Resilience & Endurance
Resilience & Endurance
We don’t avoid the uphill. We climb it.
We don’t avoid the uphill. We climb it.
Service
Before Self
Service
Before Self
Giving back, leading up, and lifting others.
Giving back, leading up, and lifting others.
Made in
America Quality
Made in
America Quality
Proudly U.S.-manufactured, engineered for kids and fitness.
Proudly U.S.-manufactured, engineered for kids and fitness.
Movement & Mindset
Movement & Mindset
Physical readiness matters just as much as mental strength.
Physical readiness matters just as much as mental strength.
Next-Gen Leadership
Next-Gen Leadership
We prepare kids not just to play—but to lead, serve, and succeed.
We prepare kids not just to play—but to lead, serve, and succeed.
Why It Matters
Why It
Matters
In an era where screens replace sneakers and likes replace leaders, we believe the call to serve isn’t optional—it’s urgent. Generation Alpha deserves more than entertainment—they deserve a mission. Not A Very Good Teacher exists to bring that mission alive through play, purpose, and physical fitness. If you buy one game, you help build one leader.
In an era where screens replace sneakers and likes replace leaders, we believe the call to serve isn’t optional—it’s urgent. Generation Alpha deserves more than entertainment—they deserve a mission. Not A Very Good Teacher exists to bring that mission alive through play, purpose, and physical fitness. If you buy one game, you help build one leader.
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Terms and Conditions
Follow us!
Terms and Conditions