Dave Mantus WOW!s the Crowd at Citizen Schools Gala

It's one thing to be a dedicated volunteer, sacrificing one's time for the sake of a good cause, say, teaching middle school students about rocket science during extended learning time; however, it's quite another to be recognized as the standout volunteer of the past year by an organization with more than 3,200 volunteers.

Dave Mantus, Cubist's Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, accomplished that very feat when he was named Citizen Schools' first "Citizen Teacher of the Year" at its recent WOW! recognition banquet; however, Dave is quick to redirect the spotlight away from him and on to the immensely meaningful work being done by the nationwide non-profit organization that was founded in Boston in 1995.

Stacey Gilbert, Director of Media Relations at Citizen Schools, explained that "volunteers who work with the kids and teach apprenticeships are called 'Citizen Teachers.' At the end of each apprenticeship semester [which consists of two-hour sessions, twice a week, for 10 weeks], our students have a WOW! event — a public event where they teach back what they have learned with a presentation to friends, family and community members. Their amazing work will make you say 'wow!'"

The Story of Dave's Involvement

Dave began volunteering with Citizen Schools in 2007 after hearing about them at a Massachusetts Biotechnology Council presentation and learning that "there was lots of active support from various industries, except biotech." Since then, he has been actively working to get other companies involved, by providing either funding or volunteers.

In 2008, Dave and fellow Cubist employee Kate (Blackerby) Burke conducted two apprenticeships with Citizen Schools. At last year's fundraising auction, Dave was one of two winning bidders for a six-course dinner for 16 prepared and served in his home by Master Chef Chris Douglass of Icarus and Ashmont Grill. As part of the winning bid, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and his wife attended as the Mantus' guests. Earlier this year, Citizen Schools received one of the first grants offered through the Cubist Corporate Giving Program.

Over the past two years, many other Cubist employees have joined Dave in helping Citizen Schools in way or another. They include: Ana Burke, Julia Clive, Tim Keutzer, Susan Knowles, Jennifer Liscouski, Christina McCarthy, Francis McLoughlin, Peter Pertel, Karen Robertson, Dawn Spooner, Nolan Wheeler, Joe Terraciano, and Suman Swami.

Most recently, Dave has taught sixth graders at the Edwards School in Charlestown, where his main goal has been "to get the students psyched about science." Additionally, he hopes to serve as an example to both the students and other potential volunteers, particularly those from diverse backgrounds. Says Dave, "You get to talk to the kids about how much you love your job, get to know them, and help to turn them around. It's viscerally rewarding." So rewarding, in fact, that Dave chose to end a seven-year paid teaching job at the graduate program of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in favor of volunteering time with Citizen Schools.

According to a formal statement, "Citizen Schools is honored to present its first ever 'Citizen Teacher of the Year' award to Dr. David Mantus, Vice President for Regulatory Affairs at Cubist Pharmaceuticals. His dedication to elementary school science education and his personal sacrifices help ensure the next generation is prepared to be leaders in the lab, in business, and in society. Thank you for your inspiration and for your help in supporting these students build bright futures."

Why Attendees Were "WOWed" at the Affair

Dave was honored at the recent WOW! Affair, Citizen Schools' gala fundraiser and largest annual event, which raised more than $600,000 this year. Earlier in the "Innovation and Exploration"-themed evening, Dave also performed an impressive science-based magic routine, with student assistants Alex Ruiz and Rosaelissa Montarossa, to the delight of the 600-person crowd at the Westin Copley Place Hotel in Boston.

"The event was a triumph, starring your very own Dave Mantus. Not only did Dave do a truly spectacular job with his own performance, but every other speaker referenced Dave as the best of the best at Citizen Schools," said Lindsay Sobel, Boston Director of Development and Volunteers at Citizen Schools.

"For 14 years, Citizen Schools has been harnessing the energy of all citizens to bring transformative learning experiences to children in low-income communities — so that all young people fulfill their potential to innovate and explore. At the WOW! Affair, attendees were invited to meet the volunteer Citizen Teachers who are inspiring students to discover science, technology, engineering and math — and an endless range of future pathways — through hands-on apprenticeships," concluded Gilbert.

About Citizen Schools

Citizen Schools was founded in 1995 to bring to the challenge of young adult education: more time, more relevance, and more caring adults. Now a growing national network of after-school education programs for students in the middle grades (6th, 7th and 8th), Citizen's programs complement classroom learning by engaging students in hands-on learning projects led by adult volunteers after school and supported by a staff of professional educators. Today Citizen Schools operates in middle schools in seven states (21 cities), serving 4,400 kids and engaging 3,200 volunteers. For more information or to volunteer, visit www.citizenschools.org.