Today's challenge
America will continue to flourish ONLY IF we continue to excel in innovation, creativity and invention in careers that depend upon knowledge that matters to the future of our country. We are bereft of enough math and science talent to continue our global presence in a nation that established its reputation on innovation. Did you know, for instance, that U.S. Boomers are the best-educated folks in the world but that our next generation ranks 10th globally?

Who cares?
From California to Michigan to Texas to Rhode Island, States have launched initiatives to help career switching mature workers to become math and science teachers.

Major organizations have joined the initiative. We credit IBM's Transitions to Teaching program, launched in New York and North Carolina in 2005, for getting the ball rolling. Today, firms such as Amgen, Bank of America, Deloitte, Qualcomm, Southern California Edison and Northrop Grumman have pledged subsidies of $15,000 to cover the needs of their mature employees who seek to apply for, and obtain, teaching credentials in these critical areas of high need.

How can you help?
Even if you do not seek this type of role for yourself, talk with your organization's senior staff members, with leaders in your hometown's workforce and economic planning sectors, with the presidents of your Rotary Clubs and Chambers of Commerce. Ask them to source the EnCorps Teacher Initiative and to consider this type of tax-deductible commitment as a regional investment in the future of your community.

• Get to the point. Stress your ability to communicate with people from all generations. Also emphasize your dependability and loyalty to past employers. Turnover costs can be enormous. Use Borders' example.
• Seek employers that understand the advantages of a balanced workforce. Some of these employers may be found on AARP's National Employer Team as well as in AARP’s Best Employers for Workers Over 50.

Brad Taft and Carleen MacKay