"This book has many ideas about how to really engage business in schools and the education of children because Patricia Alper has masterfully written about a model with clarity, giving solid examples while being engaging. I have no doubt this model would work in the real world of schools and be impactful for both mentors and their mentees. Especially compelling is the description of project based learning which could be used in teacher preparation programs in order to teach students how to implement active learning projects…it is particularly insightful about selecting the right project and placing it within the mentors’ professional experience. I have rarely seen any proposed relationship between business and education to be so meaningful, building on the strengths of each partner and enhancing the work of both."
—Mari Koerner, PhD, dean of Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University
"With clear writing and fascinating case studies, Patricia Alper presents the business world with a compelling call to service. Unlike more general approaches to mentoring, engaging youth in project based learning is intuitive, scalable, and broadly applicable. As the book makes clear, mentoring that is grounded in shared interests and the expertise of mentors represents one of the best hopes for bridging the social capital gap, opening doors, and ultimately enriching the lives of many."
—Dr. Jean Rhodes, Frank L. Boyden Professor of Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Boston; director of the Center for Evidence-Based Mentoring
"I put off reading your materials until I could focus my mind and heart on your message—I have to tell you—your work gave me goosebumps. Not only do I love your writing style, I think it’s great that your work is grounded in your personal experience. Most importantly, your message reflects the core tenets of our organization’s mission, and coincides with my own professional beliefs."
—Rebecca A. Corbin, EdD, president and CEO, The National Association of Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE)
"I had the pleasure of reading excerpts from your book—I love the writing—it’s crisp and real. For the corporate sector, the collection of case studies in one single place is going to be so helpful, particularly those who want to talk about honest-to-goodness commitment and engagement. Thank you for taking on this project."
—Deborah Holmes, Americas director, corporate social responsibility, Ernst & Young LLP
"Patty makes a compelling case that if we’re serious about closing the opportunity gap in school and work; we need more caring adults to get involved as mentors. We need a mentoring revolution. Teach to Work is a passionate, firsthand account of how to mentor well from someone who has been serving on the front lines. This is an invaluable resource for individual volunteers, corporate community relations teams, and school partners."
—Nick Hutchinson, executive director, US2020
"Leveraging the unique skill sets of our employees and allowing them to bring their ‘whole self’ to a volunteer experience has proven to be a win–win for all. Employees are proactively seeking mentoring opportunities while mentees are benefiting from our community outreach. Patty is spot on that providing a Project Based Mentoring experience is the way to go."
—Susan Warner, vice president, worldwide communications, MasterCard
"In my heart of hearts, Patty, I know you are right when you talk about a Project Based Mentoring experience as the catalyst in an intergenerational mentor–mentee relationship. This idea contributes to the work we have all been doing in mentorship, and I applaud you for taking this on."
—Marc Freedman, founder and CEO of Encore.org, author of Encore: Finding Work that Matters in the Second Half of Life and The Kindness of Strangers
"Patty, did you ever know 10 years ago, that you could change people’s lives? I talk about spiritual genetics in my latest book, where each of us can choose the spirit of who we want to become. It does not have to be within a family’s bloodlines. You have made a difference in the lives of these kids, and most likely you have made a difference in the lives of their kids as well. They have grabbed hold of your light, because they feel your encouragement and kindness, and maybe because they had no other. Thank you for your important leadership in this role."
—Chris Gardner, author of The Pursuit of Happyness, from his 2010 NFTE "Dare to Dream" speech
