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In 2011, The First Tee of Greater Austin (TFTGA) [10]took its winning Nine Core Values curriculum [11] on the road, impacting almost 4,000 elementary school children in the Manor Independent School District (Manor ISD).
Over the last decade, The First Tee Nine Core Values [11] have made a difference in the lives of more than 10,000 youth in Austin, with annual participation in TFTGA programs now approaching 1,000 at its Austin-area facilities. Its new school-based curriculum, the National School Program [12], brings the Nine Core Values and Nine Healthy Habits [11] into Physical Education classrooms, helping even more children gain life skills that last a lifetime.
The National School Program [12] is a school-based curriculum being delivered nationally to more than 2 million in 4,000 schools. TFTGA introduced the curriculum in Manor ISD in January 2011. The program was embraced with enthusiasm by students, faculty and district administrators.
The initial classes were so successful that Superintendent Andrew Kim rolled the curriculum out to all district elementary schools in grades K-5. Manor ISD Director Lisa Barrett Johnson noted that the district is now in "full swing" with seven campuses and almost 4,000 students involved in The First Tee curriculum, learning the game of golf using plastic SNAG (Starting New at Golf) [13] equipment while seamlessly engaging in experiencing the Nine Core Values and Nine Helathy Habits.
The National School Program, which aligns with national physical education standards established by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) [14], includes 24 detailed lesson plans for Kindergarten through 5th grade.
The Manor ISD has also adopted The First Tee's Nine Core Values and Nine Healthy Habits as the basis of the district's character development curriculum throughout the district beyond physical education classes. Manor ISD's curriculum team embeds the values into school day activities, with projects such as writing essays focused on each of the values. Manor ISD also created an initiative to connect the Nine Core Values with a focused campus anti-bullying effort during the month of October. A partnership with New Era Portfolio displayed student art work about the role of a value system in improving education.
At the core, a value system will help shape and influence the decisions a person makes. Children whose values are based on deception, fear, and concern for self, will make different decisions than a person whose core values include integrity, respect and honesty. Developing these values early is an important step to becoming a successful and productive member of society. This collaboration between Manor ISD and TFTGA is a powerful step in fostering those values at all levels of youth education.
In 2012, TFTGA will continue working with Manor ISD to spread the Nine Core Values curriculum and develop new partnerships with additional school districts.