Connecting Mind and Body to Build New Possibilities

For Stephen Ritz, challenges have always been opportunities to create impact

The first thing I noticed walking into Stephen Ritz’s classroom at CS 55 in The Bronx was the smell. It was one of many signals that this vibrant, inspirational space was intentionally designed to spark curiosity, learning, and community. It’s a feast for the senses, and a stark contrast to the building in which it resides.

After getting the security officer’s nod of approval, I helped Stephen carry his latest bounty of supplies up 4 flights of stairs and down dreary hallways with bright, buzzing overhead lights and linoleum-tiled hospital floors straight out of the 1950s. There’s no ADA compliance here and certainly no way for anyone who struggles to climb stairs to even enter the front door, much less reach a classroom. The teachers’ cheerful bulletin boards did all they could to provide inspiration, but there’s no question that CS 55 is a 100+ year old building that has been the victim of bureaucracy, political infighting, neglect, and disregard for the people who live and work in that community. 785 elementary students attend a school that didn’t even have a cafeteria until recently.

There are signs of hope and progress – like finally getting turf over some of the blacktop so students can play outside and renovations to the auditorium that will allow for larger gatherings. But for the most part, this is not a building that feels welcoming and it’s a wonder how teachers and students are doing as well as they are.

And yet, my senses lit up as soon as I turned the corner and entered Green Bronx Machine - the nonprofit that Stephen runs from his classroom while also teaching five classes a day.

The first thing I recognized was the smell of basil. Like many classrooms, there are books, pencils, and materials jammed into every corner for students to use. But unlike most classrooms, you notice the vegetables, flowers, and fish, followed by the green and blue paint colors that reflect the earth and sky. Then there’s the furniture and flooring which have been intentionally selected with sustainable and kid-friendly materials to help students feel more comfortable in the space. As I marveled at how much innovation was packed into one double-sized classroom, I realized this blew the doors off my vision for what a living and learning laboratory could be.

CS 55 is in the middle of an extremely crowded food desert. You can find every possible fast food or potato chip from the corner bodega, but good luck trying to find an apple or, heaven forbid, a salad. Many students don’t have access to basic nutrition or kitchens. Without the proper fuel to power their bodies, how could educators expect their students to focus on learning? Many years ago, a happy accident with some flower bulbs and an overactive radiator made Stephen realize that, even in the most untenable conditions, life can still grow and thrive. And the dots connected in his mind that his classroom could provide so much more than books and standard curriculum.

And boy, does he ever provide more!

(This is just a small part of my recent conversation with Stephen Ritz. I’ll share more clips in future posts, but if you’re eager to see the entire conversation now, check it out on YouTube.)

Green Bronx Machine is dedicated to cultivating minds and harvesting hope. Their school-based model and curriculum uses urban agriculture aligned to key school performance indicators to grow healthy students and healthy schools that transform fragmented and marginalized communities into neighborhoods that are inclusive and thriving.

While the most visible parts of his work are the tower gardens and vibrant produce that the students are growing, Stephen will be the first to tell you that he’s not a farmer and not “the kale guy.” His not-so-secret agenda is to end poverty and empower young people to build greater lives for themselves, their families, and the world around them. He envisions growing healthy communities where those who are “apart from” will become “part of” new solutions that benefit 100% of society, and challenges all of us to create a world where people do not have to leave their community to live, learn, and earn in a better one.

As he says, “We grow vegetables…our vegetables grow students…our students grow schools…and our schools grow resilient communities.”

I’ve written before about the difference between vision, illusion, and delusion. I can’t think of a greater visionary leader and changemaker than Stephen Ritz. As a longtime educator who worked with the NYC Board of Education, he has a deep and unique understanding of the challenges that teachers, school systems, and communities face. And it’s that knowledge of the obstacles and barriers that enables him to find new and different ways for his students to grow into leaders who will reshape the world.

If you're feeling stuck by barriers, bureaucracy, or your own doubts, I hope this helps you reconnect with what’s possible. And if you're ready to move your vision forward, let's talk. Feel free to reply to this post or email hello@theconnectors.net to get in touch with me directly.