Books by Stephen Ritz
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The Power of a Plant
A Teacher’s Odyssey to Grow Healthy Minds and Schools
In The Power of a Plant, globally acclaimed teacher Stephen Ritz shows readers how, in one of the nation’s poorest communities, his students thrive in school and in life by growing, cooking, eating, and sharing the bounty of their green classroom.
His innovative program began by accident. When a flower broke up a brawl among burly teenagers at a tough South Bronx high school, Stephen saw a teachable moment to connect students with nature. By using plants as an entry point for all learning, he witnessed nothing short of a transformation. Attendance soared from 40 to 93 percent. Disciplinary issues plummeted. In a school with a 17 percent graduation rate and high crime rate, every one of his students finished school and stayed out of jail. More than 165,000 pounds of vegetables later, he has figured out how to bring the magic of gardening into the heart of the school day for students of all ages.
The Power of a Plant shares Stephen’s practical solutions for growing his favorite crop: organically grown citizens. His approach has attracted attention from the White House to the Vatican. For anyone worried about rising childhood obesity rates, better access to healthy, affordable food, and job opportunities to lift families out of poverty, he has hard-earned answers.
With irrepressible humor and a veteran teacher’s wisdom, Stephen relates his own journey hoping that readers will be inspired to make epic happen in their own communities.
Also available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, iBooks, or IndieBound.
An inspiring story about how incorporating gardening and plants into teaching curriculum moved the graduation rate from 17% to 100% and improved attendance to 93% in his South Bronx high school.
“In his new book The Power of a Plant, Stephen Ritz weaves a beautiful personal tale of how boundless passion, purpose, and hope can move generations of students in New York’s tough South Bronx to realize their untapped human potential. Stephen uses the power of kindness and purpose to not only teach kids about the world but to create a better world for all of us.”
“Education should unleash human potential, which is infinite in its capacity to create, know, and solve every conceivable problem. Stephen Ritz has opened a door to this unbounded field of possibilities, which he elegantly describes in The Power of a Plant.”
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Make It Happen!
Stephen Ritz: Urban Farmer
Stephen Ritz never planned to be a teacher, and he knew nothing about growing food. His book, The Power Of A Plant tells the story of how a simple plant changed his life and the lives of his students forever. Now his new book, Make It Happen! brings to life his story of passion, purpose, and hope to help students build the skills necessary to reach their own goals.
From overcoming obstacles to building communities through teamwork, each chapter has activities that readers can apply to their own lives. Packed with inspiration, motivation, personal growth & development, and a whole lotta veggies, Make It Happen! is the story of Stephen’s incredible Tower Garden journey.
The proceeds from the sale of this book will allow Green Bronx Machine to hire local parents to work in local schools at living wage.
Passion, Purpose & Hope!
Stephen Ritz is a South Bronx educator who believes that students shouldn’t have to leave their community to live, learn, and earn in a better one. Affectionately known as “America’s Favorite Teacher,” Stephen never stops teaching and never stops learning. Join him today!
Stephen built the first edible classroom in the world – complete with an indoor Tower Garden farm, a mobile classroom kitchen, and has gone on to meet leaders and celebrities all around the world.
Moving generations of students into spheres of personal and academic successes which they had never imagined — while reclaiming and rebuilding the Bronx — Stephen’s extended student and community family have grown more than 100,000 pounds of vegetables in the Bronx while generating extraordinary academic performance. He believes that you, too, can Make It Happen!
“Stephen Ritz is one of the most innovative, genuine, and tenacious educators I have ever met. He is the kind of superhero we need standing for our kids and their well-being. He uses gardening to inspire, challenge, and get kids growing in ways that transform their lives and communities. His story will touch your heart and propel you to plant a seed!”
“Building a new and effective Good Food system is everyone’s obligation, and it starts with education. Stephen’s epic story teaches us how to turn every community into a place that nourishes bodies and minds. He’s my hero.”
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The Entrepreneurial Edge
Real Founders Tell The Stories Behind Businesses That Endure
What makes businesses thrive through uncertainty?
Behind every thriving business is a human story defined by calculated risk and hard-won conviction.
Bringing together 28 founders and CEOs, The Entrepreneurial Edge reveals crucial lessons, failures, and breakthroughs that define businesses built to last.
From anticipating market signals to leading with purpose and navigating turbulence confidently, each chapter delivers unique, practical insights.
Whether you’re launching, scaling, or reinventing, The Entrepreneurial Edge features an arresting collection of insiders’ perspectives you definitely won’t find in business school.
Contributors
Amelia Castellanos, Cody Spears, Dr. Cordell Robinson, Cristina Busu, Gary Preisser, Geri Lynn, Julianna Doherty, Ryan Dewey Smith, Peter Zerzan, Peter Miles, Charles J. Kritter, Heather Hall, Sarah Carson, Charlene Bennett, Robert Polacek, Justin Colombik, Rachael Rivero, Danica Bilicich-Mason, Virgil Hughes, Dan Klitsner, Kimmylea Konsel-Taylor, Beau Taylor, George Abetti, Dawn Manske, Carol Pfleiderer, James Webb, Freddy del Barrio, and Stephen Ritz
“Actionable guidance for all commercial enterprises”
“A curated body of knowledge designed to inspire bold action”
“Demonstrates how determined nonprofit leaders can utilize for-profit business strategies to disrupt the typical nonprofit landscape”