Stand for the Best: What I Learned after Leaving My Job as CEO of H&R Block to Become a Teacher and Founder of an Inner-City Charter School | 
| Author: Thomas M. Bloch
Publisher: Jossey-Bass
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $12.44
You Save: $12.51 (50%)
New (36) Used (17) from $10.55
Avg. Customer Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 107308
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 240
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.1 x 1
ISBN: 0470188960
Dewey Decimal Number: 371.10092
EAN: 9780470188965
Publication Date: July 28, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Condition: 100% BRAND NEW, ships fast, 100% of proceeds benefit library
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Product Description
Thirteen years ago, Tom Bloch was CEO of H&R Block, the groundbreaking tax organization. The son of the company’s founder, he was a happily married 41-year-old executive, but something was missing from his life.After a nineteen-year career at the company, Bloch resigned his position to become a math teacher in an impoverished inner-city section of Kansas City.Stand for the Best reveals Bloch’s struggles to make a difference for his marginalized students and how he eventually co-founded a successful charter school, University Academy.
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| Customer Reviews:
important message November 24, 2008
This is a story that should reach all ears. For young adults, thinking about careers, this puts a different spin on what "success" means. Tom is up front about how his financial security gave him options to make choices that might be more difficult for others. At the same time, he convinces the readers that the payback for this kind of commitment is greater than a paycheck. The education of all of today's children has to be one of the most significant issues we face. With an educationed population, economys tend to be strong. Lets give some kids a chance and see what they can do. My guess is ANYTHING!
Great book! September 22, 2008
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
This book is both compelling and insightful. The narrative is engaging -- how many young CEO's quit million dollar a year jobs with giant family businesses (H&R Block) to teach in the inner city?! There is a lot more to this book than boy goes to work for his Dad and leaves to teach. Tom explores the hardest and deepest decisions we all have to make, and on his road to self discovery, presents quite a road map for us to follow. In doing so, he also gives the reader a view into the world of inner-city education and charter schools. Bravo - a great read!
Humorous, honest & hugely upbeat August 22, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
What happens when you have everything, and it doesn't make you happy? Tom Bloch had a wonderful family, health,
wealth and was the CEO of his families tax preparation business.
But he decided that he could do more by being an inner city math teacher. So that is what
he became, and helped start a charter public school in Kansas City.
Whether you are an educator, parent, business person or someone thinking about your future, this is a GREAT book.
Bloch is tough on himself, recognizing that he had a strong support system.
He knows it was easier for him to walk away that it could be for others.
Bloch writes a strong defense of terrific teachers (some of whom he
describes, who he thinks should be paid a lot more money). He is explaining why the charter public school movement makes sense.
And he gently urges us to follow our heart, and to live the kind of life
that will most serve others, and make us happy. Wealth did NOT give Bloch what he wanted.
Walking away from a top corporate life, and walking into an inner city school to teach math, where he continues to
teach math, that's what added up for him. An upbeat and very encouraging book.
Joe In Minnesota
Wow! August 9, 2008
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
Bloch's story is very uplifting. How many people in his position would leave it all behind to try to make a difference in the world? He readily admits he could afford to do so, but he has truly walked the walk, rather than just talking about it. This book puts it all out there--his internal struggles, the path he took and what he learned along the way. He underscores the importance of the teaching profession and makes a plea for society to give it more respect. This book will appeal to people considering a career change who aren't sure they have the courage to do it, teachers who question their significance, and just anyone who wants to be inspired.
 Good read -- both entertaining and thoughtful August 6, 2008
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is a good read. Tom Bloch's personal story is riveting and he is brave enough to share some very private emotions. But this book is more than a collection of anecdotes from the classroom where backpacks leak pickle juice and children regularly lose family members to shootings. Bloch has taken a thoughtful look at the herculean challenges before America's urban teachers and the universal human challenge to find purpose and meaning in our lives. He is also brave enough to offer some suggestions for institutional improvements. Worthwhile reading for anyone worried about America's schools and its students. Knowing that the book profits will go back into teacher training makes it easy to pay the hardback price.
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