Stephen Ritz - The Power of a Plant: A Teachers Odyssey to Grow Healthy Minds and Schools

This is how change happens, one person at a time, one community at a time. Green Bronx Machine is changing the way children eat, learn, and live!

Reverend Al Sharpton, PoliticsNation, MSNBC

Stephen Ritzs gift to Dubai has been his passion, his humility, and his belief that when we nurture our roots, beautiful blossoms will grow. Through relationships like these, we will be able to create an alliance of friendships that serve the greater global good and enable our children to live with peace of mind, happiness of heart, and unique bow ties.

Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, director general of Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), government of Dubai

Stephen Ritz is the ultimate food superhero. In addition to overcoming his own challenges like losing more than 100 pounds, he has used his knowledge, energy, passion, and spirit to educate youth and thousands of people across the world about healthy and sustainable eating. After talking to him or hearing him speak, you feel inspired and realize that the solutions to alleviate hunger, poverty, obesity, conflict, and other environmental and social problems are not only out there, but they are possible and doable.

Danielle Nierenberg, president of Food Tank: The Food Think Tank

To know Stephen Ritz is to understand the soul of a true educator and visionary. The Power of a Plant traces his journey to create a learning environment that empowers students to take ownership of their own destiny with the knowledge and skills of what it takes to be healthy and happy. Stephens commitment and compassion to serve the least among us transformed not only the lives of his students but his own life.

Jennifer Seydel, PhD, executive director of Green Schools National Network

Fertile seeds of change are being planted and nurtured in one of Americas most barren neighborhoods, and the resulting bounty is transforming the minds, bodies, and communities of a generation of forgotten youth. There is no more inspiring, hopeful story than that of Stephen Ritz and his Green Bronx Machine and his intrepid efforts to grow a better world, literally. His story feeds my mind, heart, and soul, and will yours, too.

Joel Makower, chairman and executive editor of GreenBiz Group; coauthor of The New Grand Strategy: Restoring Americas Prosperity, Security, and Sustainability in the 21st Century

Over our days embedded in CS-55, the school where Stephen voluntarily spends most of his life, my unique perspective allowed witness to a man fully present in his lifes missionto nurture his students with love and respect. It moved me to tears more than once as I savored every moment of joy and energy radiating from them in response. Those are the days I will remember above all others. It only takes a moment after meeting Stephen to know that this is a man devoted to changing the lives of his students. Through passion, patience, and the power of a plant that produces real food, Stephen Ritz is building healthy minds and bodies and empowering thousands of children to discover and exploit the potential they never knew they had. The Power of a Plant is the extraordinary story of Stephen Ritzindeed one of the worlds most genuine heroes and important role models of our time.

Joe Lampl, creator, executive producer, and host of Growing a Greener World

Just like the amazing plants growing in his South Bronx classroom, possibility grows everywhere he plants the seeds of inspiration. Stephen has a true gift; he inspires all he meets: 5th graders in the Bronx in the morning, a head of state over lunch, and a room full of executives that same evening. And I can report this firsthand. This book is evidence that one mans passion and purpose can truly change the world.

Mitchell M. Roschelle, PwC partner; NY Business Development Leader; trustee of PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Thanks to people like my good friend Stephen Ritz, we are telling a new Bronx story!

Ruben Diaz Jr., Bronx borough president

We live in an economic culture which has chosen to exploit its own children as profit centers for unhealthy food industries, violence, debt, and a myriad of electronic gizmos rather than nurture those same children as the creative agents of a healthy, sane, peaceful, sustainable future. How do we change? Its simple, really. We turn that nurturing over to the kids themselves, taught and guided by Stephen Ritz. Stephen Ritz combines compassion, wisdom, joy, and humor with an urgent, prophetic zeal to teach kids to grow their way into a healthy world. At this time there is no more essential message and no more essential man.

Robert Shetterly, artist of Americans Who Tell the Truth

When Steve Ritz takes the stage to give a talk, he creates an experience that always ends with a standing ovation. His work with and dedication to students in the South Bronxthe poorest congressional district in the countryleaves you laughing, crying, and so inspired you want to jump in and help. Hes one man on a mission to not just change lives, but to save them as wellall through growing and educating children with food.

Diane Hatz, founder and executive director of Change Food

Steve Ritz and I both believe in the powerful ability of projects to drive policy, not the other way around. Our careers followed parallel paths built on trial and error, progress, and results over rhetoric. His book is the culmination of real-world experiences and can add value to whatever you are trying to accomplish.

Majora Carter, entrepreneur, real estate developer, urban revitalization strategist

Kudos to Stephen Ritz, whose energy and passion were destined to plant a seed that would grow into a forest! His students and followers have been enormously blessed to have him as a leader. And now, with The Power of a Plant, his work will have even greater reach and impact.

Rae Pica, education consultant and author of What If Everybody Understood Child Development?

This green-fingered teacher became one of the top 10 finalist teachers of our US $1m Global Teacher Prize in its inaugural yeara competition that attracted over 5,000 nominations and 1,300 final applications from 127 countries. Since then, both the prize and Stephens remarkable life-giving program have spread their influence even further around the world. In his new book, The Power of a Plant, Stephen shares his incredible journey together with what he has learned so that we can all have food for thought as we search for the simple and elegant solutions needed to make a better world.

Vikas Pota, CEO of the Varkey Foundation

Stephen Ritz inspires, delights, and provokes. Because of his boundless energy and optimism, he helped me grow as an educational leader. Most importantly, he never loses sight of the ultimate goalmaking school a better place for all students.

David Ross, CEO of Partnership for 21st Century Learning

Collaborating with Stephen Ritz has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life in education; he is a bastion of hope, inspiration, and positivity. Im proud to support his effort to extend his incredible influence on the world. Once you read this uplifting book, you will know why!

Walid Abushakra, superintendent and chairman of Esol Education

In The Power of a Plant, Stephen Ritz, an extraordinarily creative and effective teacher, reflects on his craft and journey, explaining how he ignites the imagination of his students and nurtures their love for learning, around growing food, all while contributing to the need for healthy food of the students and their families. This book is essential reading for anyone who seeks understanding of the immense potential of our public schools and of the conditions that help our best teachers realize that potential for our students.