Education Ambassador: Teacher and Green Bronx Machine founder Stephen Ritz

Stephen Ritz is a South Bronx educator who believes that students should not have to leave their community to live, learn, and earn in a better one.
An internationally acclaimed award-winning educator, Stephen is the author of the best-selling book, The Power Of A Plant, and founder of Green Bronx Machine. Known as “America’s Favorite Teacher,” Stephen is responsible for creating the first edible classroom in the world, which he has evolved into the National Health, Wellness and Learning Center.
He and his students have grown more than 100,000 pounds of vegetables in the South Bronx, and in the process, Stephen has moved school attendance from 40% to 93% daily and helped provide 2,200 youth jobs in the Bronx.
Stephen was a Top Ten Finalist for the Global Teacher Prize, named Global Humanitarian, Food Tank Hero, TEDx Prize Winner and a Global Food Educator, and has presented at the Obama White House three times. A replica of his classroom was installed in the US Botanic Gardens in Washington, DC. His curriculum is being used in hundreds of schools across the United States, and internationally from Colombia to Dubai, from Canada to Cairo, to Doha, and beyond. Click here for more on Stephen.

2021-22 Vlogs from Stephen:

Jan. 7 - Nathaniel Russo, 16, of Fieldston School fulfilled his requirement to become a Bronx Eagle Scout by creating recipes, making videos, teaching children to cook healthy meals and then supplied 40 boxes of food so they could cook together on line to inspire healthy living all across the Bronx.
Dec. 10 - Stephen talks about a food giveaway at a Bronx school.
Sept. 1 - A view from the teacher's desk - click here for a blog from Stephen!
Aug. 31, 2021 - Stephen visits Stepping Stones, Inc., a foster care facility in the heart of Appalachia. 

2020-21 Vlogs from Stephen:

Feb. 22 - Stephen has a special guest - all the way from Queens. It's Mr. Met!
Jan. 7 - Stephen is wishing students a happy 2021 and welcoming everyone back.
Nov. 14 - Today at Melrose Houses with City Harvest and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, The Green Bronx Machine served over 570 residents and moved over 30,000 pounds of food! From Brooklyn to the Bronx, consuming fresh fruits and vegetables are the best way to build immunity against COVID.
Nov. 13 - Stephen interviews Meserete Davis, from the Office of School Food and Nutrition.
Oct. 19 - Stephen grabs some celery and interviews volunteers working on the garden and getting it decorated for fall.
Oct. 14 - From the Bronx to Chicago! Today we are in the City of Chicago to meet with the captain of the Chicago Blackhawks who has brought the Green Bronx Machine curriculum and technology to over 60 schools in the Chicagoland area - all with stellar success. We’re on the roof of Torres Elementary School - a formerly abandoned bread factory - now home to an amazing school and vibrant community. This is the power of public education!
Oct. 8 - Stephen interviews Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams at the kickoff event for NY Healthy Lifestyle Campaign in the Bronx.
Oct. 6 - Virtu and Metro Coffee House visited Stephen Ritz and Green Bronx Machine.
Sept. 29 - Stephen interviews a Global Teachers Prize finalist, Koen Timmers. They talk about the Climate Action Project.
Sept. 22 - Mr Ritz interviews Borough President Adams about education and moving forward this year and eating healthy food.
Sept. 18 - Mr. Ritz is inside P.S. 55 with Principal Torres talking communication and prep.
Sept. 18 - Stephen Ritz catches up a student getting a school uniform.