Mentors

the long version

Mentors is the story of Betty Flood, a Newark, New Jersey, woman whose neighborhood youth center offers family counseling and help with homework for at-risk students. It is the story of Geoffrey Laff, whose love of science and fondness for children led to an innovative program in which Yale students share "daringly educational marvels of science" with New Haven schoolchildren. Mentors is, in fact, the enriching story of dozens of motivated individuals - from eye-on-the-future executives to concerned parents whose passion for improving the education of our children, particularly the millions of poor and disadvantaged in rural and inner-city areas, has carried them into the classroom and beyond. Against the swirl of our national education debate, Tom Evans, himself a renowned mentor, introduces us to grass-roots reformers and activists, educators with a vision, and break-the-mold business leaders. But, of equal importance, he also details how anyone can get involved and make a difference by tutoring students one-on-one, bringing talent and experience into the classroom, helping to create a new school, or even transforming an entire state. Mentors is a compelling call to action for all who care about our public schools, our children's education - and, ultimately, the future of our country. In Tom Evans's words, "Start small If you like. But start now. You are needed."