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 (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: traditional public schools, urban teacher, college prep school, Kansas City, University Academy, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The lessons from Mr. Bloch's journey — on the importance of courage, risk-taking, passion and service in our lives — are valuable to us all as citizens, leaders, social-change agents and human beings." (The Washington Times, October 2008)

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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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass (July 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470188960
• ISBN-13: 978-0470188965
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #285,978 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good read -- both entertaining and thoughtful, August 6, 2008

By	Debbie (Midwest) - See all my reviews

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.

5.0 out of 5 stars important message, November 24, 2008

By	Michale A. Kincaid (midwest) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, September 22, 2008

By	Paul - See all my reviews

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!