Course: GOAT Rescue - The Tournament | Cornerstone Classical Educators

GOAT Rescue - The Tournament

Grades 7 - 9
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Course Schedule

Class Follows Upper Annual Schedule
Dates: 2026-08-11 to 2027-05-13

Cost

Tuition: $250 / Annual
Supplies: $10

Expectations and Homework

Students are required to bring their completed mini reports, a writing utensil, and their timeline project folder (any pocket folder is fine) to each class session. Students are responsible for keeping track of any handouts provided by the instructor. Due to the nature of the class format, students will be expected to participate in presenting their findings to the class and actively participating in the debate and discussion. Debate participation is make or break for this class. Often the debate portion has proven to be the most enriching and powerful experience. Each week, homework will consist of researching the two opposing rescue missions to complete a front-and-back mini report for each mission. (I would be more than happy to provide an example of the mini report format in advance via email or paper copy for parents and students to see.) These assignments can be completed using the internet, library books, or any other research material you prefer. In addition to the mini reports, students will complete a timeline activity throughout the year, which will give them an idea of the historical context of the missions they are researching. If the schedule allows, the timeline additions can be completed in class. Lastly, students will read two biographies, one per semester. A short book report will be completed on each. The due dates for the biography report forms (provided by the instructor) are Week 14 and Week 32 of the Upper Grades schedule. (I'm happy to provide examples of the book report form as well.)

Prerequisites

Students will need to be able to read and write at grade level*, as well as be comfortable speaking informally in front of classmates to present their findings. Students will also need to be able to listen attentively to the instructor and classmates’ ideas, process these ideas, and make judgements for themselves. Additionally, students will need to be able to wait their turn to speak and ensure that their comments stay on topic. Comments should be appropriate and expand upon the ideas already presented, provide alternative ideas, identify inherent problems, or rebut them. Please see the Homework and Expectations section above, which also might help provide you with an idea of the skills required for this class. Last, but not least, please feel free to reach out to me. I am more than happy to have a chat. *[Please feel free to reach out to me with any possible adaptations that can reasonably be made to assist your student with challenges they might encounter with this class. If there are tasks like some of the reading, researching, or writing that can be adapted or you would like to assist them with at home, I am open to trying to make this class work for your student.]

Class Supplies Needed

Students will need a writing utensil and a folder (any pocket folder is fine). Students will also need to complete research at home using the internet, library books, or any other credible sources. (The timeline project will be provided by the instructor.) Students must be familiar with Google Classroom (a free platform) and have access to a Gmail account. On Google Classroom they can contact me, have access to all assignments and handouts, keep up with the bracket progress, get weekly announcements, as well as complete the weekly mini reports and the book reports.

Get in Touch

About the Course

GOAT Rescue Logo GOAT Rescue is a unique approach to exploring 32 of the Greatest rescue missions Of All Time. These harrowing stories from around the globe are situated within historical periods characterized by change, growth, and upheaval. Students will learn about incredible acts where people displayed the Christ-like qualities of compassion, courage, and sacrifice. Using a tournament bracket system, similar to the NCAA March Madness bracket, these 32 historic missions will compete head-to-head until the final round where the Greatest Of All Time rescue mission is determined. The 32 missions are arranged in the following four "regions": Natural Disasters, Engineering and Structural Disasters, Hostage/Counterterrorism/Military Operations, and Extreme Environment Rescues.

Each week, students will research the two missions competing against each other in order to fill out a front-and-back mini report for each. These mini reports will highlight the rescue mission's unique point in history, all of the players involved, the catalyst that led to the rescue mission, what tactics and technology were used during the rescue, and the worldwide ramifications of the event. In class, several students will be selected to present their findings on the mission of their choice and attempt to persuade their classmates to vote for their choice. After a discussion/debate, students will vote for which mission they believe is the greater of the two, with the winning mission advancing to the next round.

I will use additional activities throughout the year, including groups sorting and categorizing mission cards according to particular parameters and trivia games and competions. Students will also complete a timeline activity throughout the year (timeline will be provided by the instructor). Students will place the historical events along the timeline to see the historical context in which the event happened.

Class minimum of 8 students. Grades available upon request. Payment may be made by check or Venmo.

My wife Kristen's Venmo:

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Registration

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About Robert

I have lived in Southern Indiana for almost 46 years and have been married to my dear wife for 27 years. God has blessed us with two wonderful children that my wife has homeschooled from kindergarten.
I was blessed to grow up in a loving, Christian home in Floyds Knobs, Indiana. I graduated from Portland Christian High School, and in 2000, I graduated from Spalding University with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education. A couple months after graduating, I began teaching at Thomas Jefferson Elementary in Greater Clark County Schools, where I remained for the next 20 years.
During my teaching career I taught 1st, 3rd, and 4th grade all-subject classrooms and K-5th technology classes. During this time, I also piloted the Engineering is Elementary program sponsored by Raytheon. I really enjoyed this opportunity and was able to teach aerospace, structural, and transportation engineering to 3rd-5th grades. I also curated a virtual drive where I shared hundreds of self-created teaching resources with over 200 educators worldwide.
Due to medical complications I had to resign in 2020 after teaching for 20 years. God has taught me so much in this interim, and it was during this time that my faith and my relationship with Jesus Christ was tested and became much deeper. The 2026-27 school year will be my second year teaching at Cornerstone and I am so thankful for the opportunity to teach again. The students, families, instructors, and board members have been a blessing to work with. I am so excited to be able to teach in an environment where the most important lessons I can teach, my faith in Jesus Christ, will not be censored.
My hobbies include reading, drawing, writing, CAD, board games, gaming, and hiking. I am also in the process of finishing a novel I hope to publish.

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