Arizona Golden Rule Educational Experiences (AGREE)
Arizona Golden Rule Educational Experiences = AGREE, a program under a Arizona 501(c)(3) Non-profit Organization.
AGREE’s Mission is to provide educational experiences with high academic standards that implement the Golden Rule with empathy, respect, civility and kindness.
AGREE’s Vision is a world of civility, respect and harmony among all people with the Golden Rule as a standard for conduct.
AGREE’s Purpose is to provide an academic-based curriculum that inspires “Gold Standard” behavior.
What is unique about AGREE?
AGREE activities will be “for Arizonans, by Arizonans,” and are adaptable by educators. Program activities are designed to address the AZ Academic Standards and offer enrichment in the Visual and Performing Arts as follows: K-8: Math, Reading, and Writing are tied to specific Standards. (CCRs) 9-12: Reading, Writing Standards are tied to “Golden Lives”, a growing collection of biographies of Arizonans whose lives and conduct reflect some aspect of the Golden Rule. The living body of work will grow as selected student essays are added to the following year’s edition. Student artwork, music, or dramatic performances may accompany these essays and will receive recognition for outstanding work. In addition, activities incorporate higher order thinking skills and deductive reasoning.
Who are the people behind AGREE?
LeAnn Basha, Golden Rule Coordinator
LeAnn lives in Arizona with her husband Edward. She has 5 children and 6 grandchildren. She has served in many leadership positions over the last 30 years both in her community and within her church. Most of her church service has been with the children and young adults organizations within her faith. She has also had the opportunity to sit on many Boards in her community, one of her favorites being the Emily Andersen Center at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. LeAnn has a passion for children’s issues and things that affect their ability to grow up in a healthy community and world. AGREE work has quickly captured her heart.
Sue Lynn Stiner, Curriculum Writer / Consultant
Sue Lynn taught remedial Reading, lower Elementary; was the District Coordinator, teaching TAG program (Talented and Gifted); Taught students grades 3-8, coordinated programming at the High School level that enabled students to take AP Classes at their High School, and College Credit classes at the Community College; she served as a Regional Speech Contest Judge Academic Decathlon Advisor; Coached the team participating in Drake University’s Law School Mach Trial Tournament for 11 years, competed in the state tournament many times and were in the final four 10 times, won one year. She was the Director of a Children’s Theatre for 10 years; a Belin-Blank Leadership Fellow, University of Iowa and was part of the State Committee which wrote the Standards for Social Studies K-12. These standards were adopted by the “No Child Left Behind” Initiative. She was one of 300 teachers selected to go to Japan to participate in Japanese Schools as a Fulbright Memorial Scholar. Through her work with AGREE, she is constantly encouraged to find Golden Rule behavior in herself and others.
Anne Taylor, AGREE Chair
Anne is a former violin teacher and has performed in several orchestras. She has served in various leadership roles for her church and volunteer organizations, and has a special place in her heart when it comes to children. She has served on the Arizona Interfaith Movement Board since 2000, has served as its Treasurer and is currently on its staff. She actively helped Arizona to become the first Golden Rule State, and to get the “Live the Golden Rule” license plate in AZ. She has found it heartwarming to discover that the Golden Rule is a guidepost for most faith traditions and so many secular guidelines.
Kendra Ruth Martinez, AGREE Development / School Liaison
Kendra Ruth is an Arizona State University graduate (BIS in Music and Dance) and a world traveler (Spain, Ecuador, Italy, Switzerland, England, Mexico). She is a performer by trade, dancing, singing, acting and writing music with the support of amazing family and friends. She has 8+ years of experience teaching in Arizona Schools, as a preschool teacher, K-12 music and dance teacher, long-term substitute Fifth grade teacher and Instructional Assistant. Her favorite thing to do is teach the Golden Rule in classrooms as an AGREE Facilitator. She wrote the music for the AGREE music CD “Stars Shine Brightly” and actively trains Golden Rule facilitators to share that music and cultural folktales from around the world. She is an Arizona native and truly strives to live the Golden Rule.
How is AGREE funded and why are its materials free?
A copy of AGREE materials will be provided at no cost to each school participating. This is made possible by the “Live the Golden Rule” Arizona license plate. Utilization of AGREE as a character development program in our schools grew out of the May 13, 2003 Resolution naming Arizona as the first Golden Rule State.
What are AGREE incentives and awards?
A. Monetary incentives will be awarded annually as follows: To teachers whose submitted lesson plans for original activities are accepted as part of the following year’s edition. To one school selected for outstanding examples of incorporating the “Golden Rule” concept into the life of the school. Two Senior Awards will be given for a “Golden Lives” Essay or Biography. One Award will be given to each of the grade levels 9-12 for a “Golden Lives Essay or Biography. Bonus Awards will be given to Music and Art Students who collaborated with the Awarded “Golden Lives” Essay or Biography Students. One Video production Award will be given.
B. Recognition incentives (to Students, Schools, Districts) will be awarded annually to students for being published in the “Golden Lives” Collection, as follows: Student’s essays. Student’s artwork, music or drama selected to illustrate published essays.
- character development curriculum including reading, math writing, arts
- simple, multicultural, non-religious
- tied to Arizona academic standards
- opportunities for recognition and grants
Why is AGREE important?
AGREE materials provide a vital tool for character development and social interaction in our schools today. The basis is simple, multi-cultural, and tied to academic standards and possibilities for the Arts. Provided at no cost, AGREE provides opportunities for student recognition and much-needed grants to Arizona’s schools, educators and students.