The Arts as Ally, Advocate and Lifeline for Children with Learning Disabilities

The Arts as Ally, Advocate and Lifeline for Children with Learning Disabilities by Jenna Sherman, guest author

Photo via Pixabay

One in five children in the US have learning and attention issues, such as dyslexia and ADHD. According to Mimi Corcoran, President and CEO of National Center for Learning Disabilities, these children can achieve at high levels with the right support. Fortunately, opportunities for “the  right support” can be just a paintbrush, dance shoe, or drum set away.

While the arts might not be a cure-all for all learning disabilities, they have provided countless children with a new path for learning, expression, and greater self-esteem. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Education have shared that children showed more motivation, paid closer attention, and remembered what they learned more easily when the arts were integrated into their curriculum.

If you’re having difficulty finding a class that caters to your child’s abilities, consider teaching them yourself. You may discover that you have a knack for teaching, which could help other parents in your situation. Just remember that if you decide to give lessons professionally, you’ll need to take steps to properly register your business with the state, so it’s important you know how to start a business in Arizona. Our state has LLC guidelines in place that you’ll need to follow, so make sure you understand everything thoroughly before you decide to register as such. In addition, it’s important to write up a business plan. You can work with a professional or follow an online template to create yours.

Below are eight tips from Arizona Golden Rule Educational Experiences (AGREE) for helping your child with learning disabilities get involved with the arts:

  1. Expose your child to as many arts as possible. Give him the chance to sculpt something out of clay, rent a musical instrument, experiment with art supplies, or attend a puppet show. Which activities make him smile? Which ones simply frustrate him? Listen to your child and watch for clues regarding what makes his heart sing.
  2. Once you’ve identified a few avenues you’d like to explore, look for classes and programs after school, on weekends, and during vacations. Many community parks and recreation centers offer classes. Talk with other parents and research online.
  3. Acknowledge and encourage your child’s attempts. After being immersed in a school culture that values standardized testing, it’s easy for children with learning differences to feel less intelligent and less capable than their peers. The best gift you can give your child is allowing him to understand that being artistic is another way of being “smart.”
  4. Communicate with your child’s teacher. If he or she doesn’t understand how the arts can open up a new world of self-expression and self-worth for children, either educate her or look for a new teacher. You need to find a teacher that understands how artistic projects can help make your child’s thinking more visible to others, and how it can assist her memory and lead to more success in school.
  5. Help your child find a musical instrument with his “name” on it. Research abounds on the benefits of playing a musical instrument — from cognitive and sensory to social and emotional. It’s a priceless outlet for self-expression and socialization too. When it comes to choosing the best instrument for your child, you’ll want to consider the following:
  • What is your child’s body type? If your child is quite small, the bassoon may not be your best bet.
  • What is your child’s personality type? Playing percussion can be perfect for children who tend to be a little restless, and saxophones are very popular for children who are considered to be extroverts.
  • What are your child’s abilities? For example, if your child has speech difficulties, woodwinds could be challenging because of the tongue coordination required to play them.
  • What kind of music does your child like? If your child doesn’t like the sound a flute makes, why would he want to play one? 
  • Creative dance is particularly beneficial for children with learning disabilities, because it gives them a special way to express themselves and aids with body awareness. Play music every day at home and encourage your child to dance with you. Communicate that there are no “right” or “wrong” ways to express themselves in these dance sessions. For added fun, give your child some scarves or silk ribbons they can move with the music.

Many children who have great difficulty in academia excel in the arts. Your child who once struggled in school may find herself gainfully employed in the art industry. Your son who thought he could never accomplish anything in life may thrive as a dance instructor. Whether your child one day sings in Carnegie Hall or at your next family get-together, she will be experiencing the joy and self-realization of following her bliss. As a parent, is there any greater aspiration for your child than this? For more ideas on how to give your child an educational experience that inspires Gold Standard behavior, visit the Arizona Golden Rule Educational Experiences (AGREE) website, or contact us online for curriculum details or presentation requests

“Living Golden Rule helps teens through isolation of pandemic”

“Living Golden Rule helps teens through isolation of pandemic” by Anusha for The Arizona Republic

It’s noon.

After a lengthy night of binge-watching Netflix and mindlessly scrolling through TikTok, I finally trudge out of bed and fight every fiber of my being to plod my way into the bathroom. My phone softly buzzes on the sink countertop from the incoming assignments from Google Classroom, serving as a stark reminder of the outside responsibilities that lurk behind me. There was more than enough time in the world, yet so little energy to finish the tasks at hand. My life had turned into an endless cycle of monotony that consisted of prolonged naps, half-finished meals and an unhealthy amount of screentime.

This depressing reality mirrors the lifestyles of millions across the nation during quarantine, as isolation and remote learning have crumbled the foundation for stable mental health. A sharp incline in the prevalence of mental illness within adolescents has become the primary narrative for the harsh actualities of the global pandemic. According to a study held by the non-profit organization America’s Promise Alliance in June 2020, nearly one-third of surveyed high school students reported feeling unhappy or depressed. Additionally, Ann Murphy, an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Rutgers, stated, “Social isolation and loneliness is linked with poorer mental health and higher rates of depression and anxiety.”

However, despite the constant battle between seclusion and satisfaction, a light at the end of the tunnel can be seen. Even with the seemingly neverending repetition of the same schedule and lack of social interaction, a nationwide survey held by the Institute for Family Studies at the Wheaton Institution in October of the same year revealed that the percentage of teens who were depressed or lonely was actually lower in 2020 than in 2018. The survey findings further declared that “teens’ technology use did not appear to increase dramatically during the pandemic when compared with 2018.”

The results have demonstrated a ray of hope within the inevitable fate of extended solitude and can even be seen in the lives of those around us. When interviewing Arizona teens for the Live-Golden Segment, many expressed an improvement in their well-being regardless of their circumstances. Diya, a junior at Hamilton High School, affirmed, “People around me were going through the exact same thing, and we were able to share our thoughts together.” James, a senior at Perry High School, added, “People are much more open to mental health than ever before.”

These teens reflect an important aspect of the Golden Rule that has helped their journey on this rocky path. By utilizing empathy and respect, they are transparent about their emotional situations and share their experiences to have open conversations about mental health. They understand the hardships that their peers are going through.

And you can too. Through the Golden Rule, you can leverage your empathy and respect to be the best support system for both you and those around you. In difficult times such as now, people of different backgrounds and religions can unite and become the driving force for change. Whether it be through simply checking in with a friend through text or volunteering for a local community food drive, every action counts. Your struggles matter and your community is here for you.

Tune into our segment about mental health during quarantine on Feb. 23 on AZTV Channel 7 at 8 a.m. or watch it on the AGREE Golden Rule website (az-GoldenRule.org) under LiveGolden.

Anusha Rahman is the publicist for LiveGoldenAZ! She is currently a junior at Hamilton High School.

Golden Rule Moments

Anusha Rahman Guest columnist

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Powered by TECNAVIAPART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK Copyright © 2021 The Arizona Republic 02/12/2021

“Living Golden (Even When It’s Hard): 5 Tips for Families”

Image via Pexels

Living Golden (Even When It’s Hard): 5 Tips for Families by Jenna Sherman

It’s been a tough year to stay positive. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, families were feeling grateful for the extra time at home together. However, as time presses on, cabin fever has many of us feeling irritable and on edge.

That pent up frustration makes it difficult to live by the Golden Rule. However, at a time when so many people are struggling with mental health and financial stress, it’s never been more important to act with empathy, respect, and kindness. How can parents and teens #LiveGolden when stress is running high? From Arizona Golden Rule Educational Experiences (AGREE), here are five ways families can practice kindness at home.

Set the Scene for Kindness

If complaining, negativity, and criticism are running rampant, start by clearing the air — literally! Pull back curtains and blinds, open the windows, and let fresh air and light flow into your home. This is also the time to clean up accumulated clutter, broken items, and dust bunnies. Rather than let one person handle the chores, turn on upbeat music, set a 30-minute timer, and make it a family activity! You’ll be amazed at how quickly it goes — and how much better the energy in your home feels — when you’re done. Some people like to follow up with smudging, salt cleansing, or other folk remedies to banish negative vibes.

Practice Compassionate Communication

You can clear bad energy all day, but if your family lacks the tools to do better, it’s only a matter of time before you’re back where you started. That’s why it’s so important to teach healthy communication. Kids who can identify their feelings are better at expressing their needs.

Communication is a common sticking point between parents and teens. Teens feel like parents constantly nag, while parents feel like teens don’t listen. Breaking dysfunctional communication patterns requires work from both sides. When parents give plenty of positive, focused attention and create rules and consequences that make sense, teens are more inclined to work with their parents rather than against them. For their part, teens need to communicate calmly and directly and make time to talk with their parents, even if it’s just about everyday stuff.

Respect Each Other’s Needs

Self-care is important right now, but it’s tough to practice self-care when you don’t get a moment of “me time.” Whether you’re a teen or a parent, everyone needs time to themselves. Create a daily routine that allows downtime for everyone and be willing to lend a hand to make it happen. With a little cooperation, everyone can have a chance to fill their cup.

Express Gratitude

Gratitude is good for you. A grateful outlook has been linked to better sleep, less depression, and even improved heart health. It’s also good for relationships with the people around you. Everyone wants to feel appreciated, and expressing gratitude is a simple way to do just that.

Remember to give thanks for the everyday things parents do for you, from working hard at their jobs to feeding you healthy meals. Teens can also show appreciation by helping around the house, cooking for the family, and spending quality time with their parents. Meanwhile, parents should remember that kids learn gratitude habits from adults. Show gratitude for your children and spouse and focus on the good moments, not the things that go wrong.

Do Random Acts of Kindness

The COVID-19 pandemic threw many of our usual volunteer commitments off course. But pandemic or not, doing things for others is one of the best ways to demonstrate that kindness counts. As important as kindness is at home, don’t forget the people outside your four walls. Video chat with grandparents, check in on elderly neighbors, and do random acts of kindness for your community. While there’s a lot we can’t do right now, there’s a lot we can, too.

These tips don’t just apply during the COVID-19 pandemic. Use these tips to live according to the Golden Rule during times of hardship and when all is well. When you make the Golden Rule a lifestyle, you make life better for everyone.

Want to learn more about the Golden Rule? Read AGREE’s most recent news and help AGREE provide materials to Arizona schools with a Golden Rule license plate.

Jenna Sherman created Parent Leaders to be all about what parents can do to make sure their children grow up to be strong, independent, successful adults. By providing a collection of valuable, up-to-date, authoritative resources, she hopes to help other parents acquire the skills they need to raise future leaders. Jenna is mom to three children — two girls and a boy.

“Teen makes specialty face masks for deaf, gets lesson in return” published in The Republic

Teen makes specialty face masks for deaf, gets lesson in return

Smiles have returned to the faces of a local deaf community through specialty face masks created by 15-year-old Neil Pandey of Queen Creek.

I had the opportunity to interview this upbeat and intelligent young man about the impact he had on the deaf community this summer. As a junior at American Leadership Academy, he enrolled in an American Sign Language (ASL) course and became interested in the unique culture of deaf communities. Now as a sophomore and in light of the pandemic, he clearly had a Golden Moment. He stated, “I learned more about the struggles they (the deaf community) faced in communication, being very visual and involving facial cues. … I decided to see if there is an alternative mask for people who interact with deaf people.”

Neil took it upon himself to research and come up with a mask design that included a clear window, allowing audibly impaired individuals to read lips while communicating. He also reached out to his ASL teacher, Bailee Kanaga, who helped him evaluate the current need for his masks.

He was surprised to find that “these masks were needed everywhere.” Communities responded with a resounding yes, which moved him to jump into action. As he began creating the masks, he ran into all sorts of questions and challenges. Some of these challenges included creating the masks to be reusable and washable. He also needed to find plastic that didn’t fog easily.

With the help of his family and also “dusting” off his grandmother’s sewing machine, he knew he would still need more support to truly help the deaf community. In an effort to make this happen, he started a GoFund me to help cover the cost of materials.

With an original goal of $1,500, Neil was able to raise more than $2,240, with many people wanting to get involved.

His local Boy Scout Troop 283 and Girl Scout Troop 229 were a great help, along with many family members and friends. Over 1,500 of Neil’s Deaf-Friendly Masks were made and shipped as far as New York and Georgia.

During our interview he expressed a sincere desire to do good and show kindness.

“I felt excited because I wanted to help others,” he said.

The Golden Moment was reciprocated as Neil made a personal visit to a local deaf community, Apache ASL Trails Valley Center for the Deaf, and wit-

Golden Rule Moments

Kendra Ruth Guest columnist

Neil Pandey sews masks on his grandma’s machine at his home in Queen Creek. COURTESY OF ANJALI ROY

nessed the impact of his efforts.

Thanks to the help of the community manager, Neil was able to present masks to the residents in person. They expressed their immense gratitude, signing with them through their new masks, giving him gifts of appreciation and offering “many life lessons.”

One of the community members, an artist, gave him a thank you card about how an act of kindness can truly impact people in meaningful ways. He was deeply touched by their response because it helped reassure him that he can make a difference.

In an essay he wrote that overviewed his experience, Neil said, “I see the smiles behind the windows in pictures of people wearing my masks, and that keeps me going.”

The moment was truly Golden for every person involved, both in giving and receiving.

What started as a sign language course to get credit has now become a more personal connection for Neil with the deaf community and his own ability to do good deeds.

“I think this message has been said before, but I think I know the meaning of it now more than ever,” Neil says. “Any act of kindness will make a difference, no matter how small it is.”

Kendra Ruth is the AGREE Development and school liaison.

Neil (center) with members of the ASL community. COURTESY OF ANJALI ROY

“Teen’s mask project is a golden lesson” by Anusha…published!

Teen’s mask project is a golden lesson

In an era of a global pandemic, masks have become the social norm in what could be deemed as the first line of defense. It’s hard to imagine a world without them after almost an entire year of mask mandates and limited outings.

But this nationwide challenge of protection also creates a nationwide challenge of communication for a group that has been hit even more severely: the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

Masks serve as a prominent hindrance to deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who rely on lip-reading and facial expressions to understand helpful cues needed for proper communication. In fact, the National Association of the Deaf has stated that “more and more medical professionals are treating COVID- 19 patients from behind a barrier, using masks that impede lip-reading, and not allowing in-person interpreters.”

However, there is a solution to this persistent problem.

Neil Pandey, a 15-year-old sophomore from American Leadership Academy, has led the initiative within the Valley to create masks that are designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing people to safely and effectively communicate. The masks consist of a clear window sewn into the cloth to allow both facial cues and lip movements to be read by surrounding people.

After taking American Sign Language classes in school, he realized that the deaf and hard-of-hearing community would face significant hindrances in holding conversations during the pandemic.

He then proceeded to develop a prototype by utilizing a template for the clear window masks and began the sewing process by getting some help from family members and friends. He also started a GoFundMe page for materials, which has raised over $2,200 in support for his project. It was imperative that these masks could be accessible and of high quality made with care, and Neil ensured just that, creating around 1,500 masks to be donated to local grocery stores and health care facilities.

His message is clear: “It’s important to empathize with members of the community in a time like this and see what we can do for them. I wanted to create something that would allow them to properly communicate on the same level as anyone else.”

When additionally asked about which pillar of the Golden Rule he thought his project best represented, he confidently responded by saying “kindness and empathy.” He added, “I believe that understanding (the deaf and hardof- hearing)’s challenges during the pandemic and creating the masks out of this sense of kindness is a valuable lesson.”

Through the immense consideration and inspiring passion to help others highlighted from his hard work with this mask project, Neil perfectly exemplifies the core essence of the Golden Rule and how we as regular citizens can utilize our privileges to do good for our community, no matter the age. He reflects a profound story about transcending the limitations of one’s challenges and going beyond to help those in need.

His journey does not stop here, though. For the future, he plans on expanding this project to other parts of Arizona and maybe even other states. The main focus will be to allow commercialized clear-window masks to be widely accessible and attainable.

Anusha Rahman works on the Live-GoldenAZ project and is a junior at Hamilton High School.

#LiveGoldenAZ / Golden Rule Moments

Anusha Rahman Guest columnist


PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK Copyright © 2020 The Arizona Republic 12/17/2020

How to Choose Video Games for Homeschoolers, by Jenna Sherman

Image via Pexels

While video games can sometimes be looked down upon, there are many games that can boost your child’s knowledge and skills. Games can often be used for lesson plans, remote learning programs, and after-school routines. Not all games are perfect, however; this guide will help distinguish the good from the bad and help parents navigate issues around screen time limits, parental controls, and other challenges.

Games for tricky subjects

Gaming can be great for kids who have a difficult time in certain subjects. For example, if math is challenging for your child, look into online math games that can make the subject more fun and the concepts easier to understand. Science is another subject in which games can be helpful: there are games that help teach everything from the periodic table of elements to understanding human anatomy. Be sure to find a science game that’s interesting and relevant to your child’s education.

The good and the bad

While you may be eager to get your child playing new games for their lessons, it’s important to read reviews and find the best options available. Some of the best homeschooling games are filled with fun graphics, well-thought-out storylines, and engaging content.

Starfall is a great game that is designed to help younger children with math and language arts. Raz-Kids is a fun option that offers games, quizzes, interactive books mainly focused on reading and comprehension. However, not all games have to cover specific subjects: games such as Myst encourage children to think critically, use their imagination, and solve puzzles.

While you may find games that seem great, the real test will be when your child begins to play: be sure to monitor their enjoyment and interest to judge whether it’s helpful for them. Before buying a game for your child, read parental reviews, and determine whether the rating is right for your child.

Parental moderation

Before your kids begin to play video games, be sure to think about a few factors including limiting screen time, utilizing parental controls, and ensuring you have the right technology to support video games.

While games can be great for educational development, it’s a good idea to limit your child’s amount of screen time each day. Some recommend limiting screen time to one hour per day, but the important thing is to encourage a balance between physical activity and video games. Remember that socializing is also important for children who homeschool, so be sure to incorporate ways for your child to play with other children. And remember to always encourage kindness, empathy, civility, and respect in your children.

Parental controls will vary between video games, but a general rule of thumb is to enhance security controls for online games. Along with vigilance about online security, you may want to set controls on their devices that can limit the games your child can play, when they can play them, and for how long.

Along with time limits and parental controls, think about ways to enhance your child’s experience with getting the right technology. Many games can be played on mobile devices and laptops, but others require specific consoles. If other family members want to play games as well, it might be worth getting a console that can support different types of games.

Online games require a strong internet connection to work properly, so it might be a good idea to boost your internet speeds. Consider getting a fiber optic connection that will allow for minimal lag and buffering. Games will be smoother to play online, and you’ll have much faster download speeds.

Gaming can be a great tool for homeschooling children who struggle in particular subject areas. Games provide an engaging learning platform that can make tough subjects seem more interesting. Children can learn to problem-solve and explore critical thinking skills, all while learning how to use technology. Just remember to monitor your child’s usage and use parental controls to limit screen time.

Jenna Sherman created Parent Leaders to be all about what parents can do to make sure their children grow up to be strong, independent, successful adults. By providing a collection of valuable, up-to-date, authoritative resources, she hopes to help other parents acquire the skills they need to raise future leaders. Jenna is mom to three children — two girls and a boy.

“Expanding literature in schools is an important step in embracing diversity”, published!

Expanding literature in schools is an important step in embracing diversity

It’s the worst fear of every high schooler, an unimaginable trepidation that lingers at the bottom of our stomachs before entering the dreaded confine we call the classroom: “OK, class, today we will start the Shakespeare unit.”

Such an inescapable fate within the realm of the average high school English literature class falls into the hands of the unfortunate students.

Shakespeare is an inevitable part of one’s academic career, from his illustrious sonnets about an unconventional declaration of love to the notorious “Romeo and Juliet” monologues that usually lead to awkward re-enactments by your half-asleep classmates. The universal experience has integrated itself into a staple of high school culture, and while the multitude of lessons about iambic pentameter are fun in realizing that you are godawful at counting, you begin to wonder, “How does an old guy writing in outdated 16th-century English relate to me?” coupled with “Why does it even matter now?”

These compelling questions that many American students like me and you continuously ask ourselves have reflected a larger, more pervasive issue that the current literature curriculum faces today: a prominent lack of diversity.

More than 50 years have passed since literacy experts first emphasized the necessity for more diverse books within the academic environment, and yet the reading lists look astonishingly the same as they did in 1970. The tale of the “white literary” canon restricts the boundaries of literary perspective to a white narrative, in which only conventional white protagonists encompass struggles that fail to connect with an increasing BIPOC audience that is approximately 50% non-white. Books such as “Lord of The Flies” and “To Kill A Mockingbird” have been praised as classics of “national common experience,” but the definition of “common” has changed.

In an era of political and social revolution, the norms of the average American teenager are not reduced to a middle class, white, cisgender, neurotypical profile anymore. Instead, it is presented through a constantly changing identity that has no set assignment, a continuous experimentation of self-expression. The main point of these English classes is to unite students from contrasting ethnicities, religions, sexualities, and socioeconomic statuses through literature and increase exposure to different styles, but when they repeatedly read texts that are about the same white episodes, how can they feel a connection? More importantly, how can they ever extend their knowledge to learn about other cultures?

Your identity is not limited to a single allegory, and it is important that this point is portrayed accordingly in your education. According to English teacher Jabari Sellars, “an inherent part of developing culturally responsive instruction is coming to terms with our narrow view of literature,” and the need for thoughtful determination of how to contemporize the education system is evident.

It is our duty at LiveGoldenAZ to provide you with a comprehensive book list by diverse authors that you can read during your quarantine.

h “George” by Alex Gino.

h “The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie.

h “Ain’t I A Woman” by Bell Hooks.

h “Zami: A New Spelling of My Name” by Audre Lorde.

h “The Namesake” by Jhumpa Lahiri.

h “The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros.

h “El Deafo” by Cece Bell.

h “American Born Chinese” by Gene Luen Yang.

h “Ghost” by Jason Reynolds.

Anusha Rahman is a junior at Hamilton High School. For more information and videos, visit azGoldenRule.org.

#LiveGoldenazGolden Rule Moments

Anusha Rahman Guest columnist


PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK Copyright © 2020 The Arizona Republic 10/26/2020

“The inspiration behind keeping the Golden Rule promise” – published!

The inspiration behind keeping the Golden Rule promise


By Vicki Higgins

Special to Arizona Republic USA TODAY NETWORK

Driving daily on Arizona streets and highways, I would often see “Golden Rule” license plates on vehicles. It was not until the AGREE program was brought to my school that I learned of the importance of these plates — funding for the AGREE program. Immediately I knew I was going to support AGREE and purchase a plate for my own vehicle. Never having a vanity plate, I also knew this would be the perfect time to design a plate that represented me and the “Golden Rule” message.

For several months I thought about what I would have molded into my plate. Nothing I came up with seemed right. I wanted something meaningful to the message of the plate – a series of numbers, letters, numbers and letters that related to “living the Golden Rule.” One day, without warning, an event occurred that would lead me to my beloved “Golden Rule” vanity plate, ‘AZ 22420.’

As a basketball fan, I had followed Kobe Bryant through his career. Not only was Kobe an amazing athlete, he was an ambassador to women’s’ basketball and a philanthropist. On January 26, 2020, Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter accident along with his daughter, Gianna, and several others on the way to his daughter’s basketball game. Stunned like the rest of the world, I found myself learning about the amazing acts of kindness that few knew about until after Kobe was gone. Athletes, kids, friends, family, started sharing their stories, big or small, about Kobe and his generosity, money he had donated, ill kids he had visited, foundations he had supported, on and on.

On February 7, Kobe and his daughter were buried in a private funeral in Pacific View Memorial Park in the Corona del Mar neighborhood of Newport Beach, California. Stories of Kobe’s generosity continued to pour out over the next few weeks. Stories of kindness, empathy, respect, and civility flooded news sources and social media. Wanting to allow all fans the opportunity to say goodbye to such an amazing athlete and person, a public memorial service was held on February 24, 2020 at Staples Center. This date was chosen intentionally to forever represent Kobe and Gianna.

As I sat and watched the public service from my home, my Golden Rule moment told me immediately what my vanity plate would say, and more importantly, represent. While choosing my personalized AGREE license plate I decided to request 22420 In my mind, not only did this represent an amazing man and his daughter, but it also represented the message of the “Golden Rule.”

I believe Kobe Bryant was a true example of the “Golden Rule.” I continue to find story after story of amazing acts of Kobe’s kindness. Through my own love of basketball, awe of Kobe Bryant and what he stood for, and dedication to the AGREE program, I had no doubt that “22420” was a great choice for my plate! I immediately put in my vanity plate request. A short time later my plate arrived. Each day I have the privilege of driving with a license plate that commemorates a great person and supports an amazing educational program.

Vicki Higgins is an educator at the Arts Academy at Estrella Mountain.


PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK Copyright © 2020 The Arizona Republic 10/15/2020

“Golden Rule creating positive change at E. Valley High School”

“Golden Rule creating positive change at E. Valley High School”

Golden Rule Moments

Kendra Ruth Guest columnist

Each school has a unique story to tell. The following story is about an Arizona school that created positive change by teaching and focusing on the Golden Rule.

As a former Marine and Phoenix police officer, John Baker was seeing the same repetitive behaviors amongst troubled youth that lead to life-altering penalties. He wanted to affect a child’s life before it got to that point. He wanted to create change in that vicious cycle. To make a greater impact, he decided to focus on education and made a major career switch, high school principal. He was hired by East Valley High School, a free public charter school in Mesa.

“When I got to EVHS,” he says, “what I found was kids that didn’t care about themselves, they didn’t care about others and they didn’t care about the language they used. They were just downright disrespectful sometimes.”

Then something golden happened to shift Principal Baker to a solution.

He met with a representative from the AGREE program and realized EVHS would be the ideal place for the Golden Rule to have the biggest impact. AGREE has a mission to “provide educational experiences with high academic standards” and a vision to create a “world of civility, respect and harmony among all people with the Golden Rule as the standard for conduct” while focusing on four compass words: “Kindness, Empathy, Respect and Civility.”

Principal Baker realized that to create an impact, he would need to start with the staff.

“I started with the staff showing the students how to treat each other regardless of how we are being treated,” he says. “We still treated them with kindness, respect, empathy and civility.”

This focus on having staff model the Golden Rule began affecting students’ behavior, who then started to display the same “golden” attributes in return. The students were living the Golden Rule without even realizing it! EVHS staff took note that by living the Golden Rule themselves, they were vicariously teaching students the type of behavior and attitude they would like to see.

The students felt the difference! One student remarked, “These teachers are actually proud of us.” The effect extended to how the students interacted with each other as students began to show respect and civility in the hallways and during class. It was thrilling to witness this firsthand and see teachers speaking with empathy towards the students, using meaningful words and encouraging tones, and hearing the respectful way students were interacting with their teachers and visitors. The “Golden Rule License Plate” painted on a central campus wall was also impressive to behold. Perhaps, the climax of the story is in the correlation between the Golden Rule and the EVHS graduation rate. They went from a 67% graduation rate to a 94% graduation rate in just one year, the same year Principal Baker chose to put the Golden Rule into action.

Because of their schoolwide effort to live the Golden Rule, these “Golden” moments emerged as a dynamic impact. East Valley High School was recognized as a Golden Rule School on AZTV, Channel 7, sponsored by Bashas’ and received $1,000 for their implementation of the Golden Rule. Along with Principal Baker, the AGREE team extends a challenge to other schools to implement the Golden Rule by choosing to treat others the way you want to be treated no matter how you are treated in return.

Kendra Ruth is the AGREE Development and school liaison.


PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK Copyright © 2020 The Arizona Republic 9/15/2020

“A golden sunset at the Grand Canyon” by Kendra Ruth, Published!

A golden sunset at the Grand Canyon

Golden Rule Moments

Kendra Ruth Guest columnist

We aren’t always able to see eye to eye. That’s part of being human, right?

But there are those moments, those Golden Moments when suddenly there is connection, harmony and peace.

One day, I decided on a whim to drive to the Grand Canyon. I’d been struggling with certain painful memories and processing the aftermath of COVID-19 in our nation. It was a heaviness that I wanted to release into the Canyon’s depths. Upon arriving, my mind gravitated to a pleasant memory from my last visit to the Canyon. It involved laughing with strangers and huddling closely together while we waited in line. It had been a very cold day. After recalling this memory, I realized how few people there were visiting that day in contrast and how we were all distanced and enduring a colossal heat.

The clouds, however, seemed to consider our situation favorably, for as the sun’s blazing rays seemed unbearable, they were suddenly intercepted by cool and protective cloud coverage.

Along the Rim, there is a path called the Rim Trail. It is wheelchair-accessible, which enables all visitors to stroll along with a constant view of the Canyon’s beauty. I’d been off to a late start that day and though my time was limited, I decided that it would benefit my heart greatly to walk the trail. As I did, I saw couples walking hand in hand, friends laughing in shared experiences and children begging for attention from their parents. Photographers were also busy portraying the vastness of the Canyon through their own unique lenses. I was witnessing such sweet interactions that they turned my mind to the beauty of humanity instead of the initial heaviness I had felt. That’s when it happened, a Golden Moment and experience I’ll never forget.

In the distance, I saw people walking hastily with their cameras, both the young and the old, gathering at some seemingly planned celebration or timed event. As I rounded another ruin, I saw another family dashing to the Rim, cameras in hand. What happened next is what I now supposed to be a sacred and daily occurrence at the Grand Canyon . It was a gathering of picnic blankets and kisses, families nestled

closely together, heads inclined onto each other’s shoulders, tripods set to perfection and a centralized focus on the horizon. It seemed like everyone I’d witnessed throughout the day was there. It was time for the sun to set.

As it timelessly touched the Rim, we were all being glazed in its magnificent colors. Collectively, we remained silent as the sun calmly performed this daily ritual. I looked around and noticed the expressions on people’s faces, so many smiles and peaceful demeanors. At that point, the sun had completely disappeared, and yet the light still reflected off the clouds, fragmenting for a final show of color. I remembered how those were the same clouds that had sheltered us from the sun earlier that day — all of us.

Then, just like that, time sped back up again. A child perched up on a rock nearby started to clap and many of us joined in. It felt like we were thanking the sun for its amazing performance here at the Grand Canyon. As the communal spot began to clear, with people picking up blankets and counting children, I thought how that sunset and the Canyon had brought us all together. It was magical to me because it didn’t matter our background, our personal beliefs, the color of our skin, or our country of origin, just a feeling of oneness. I left that day changed.

Kendra Ruth is the AGREE development/ school liaison.

PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK Copyright © 2020 The Arizona Republic 8/13/2020