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Title: The Power of a Plant
Subtitle: A Teacher's Odyssey to Grow Healthy Minds and Schools
Author: Stephen Ritz, Suzie Boss
Narrator: Kevin T. Collins
Format: Unabridged
Length: 11 hrs and 31 mins
Language: English
Release date: 11-28-17
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs
Publisher's Summary:
In The Power of a Plant, globally acclaimed teacher and self-proclaimed CEO (Chief Eternal Optimist) Stephen Ritz shows you 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.
What if we taught students that they have as much potential as a seed? That in the right conditions, they can grow into something great?
These are the questions that Stephen Ritz - who became a teacher more than 30 years ago - sought to answer in 2004 in a South Bronx high school plagued by rampant crime and a dismal graduation rate. After what can only be defined as a cosmic experience when a flower broke up a fight in his classroom, he saw a way to start tackling his school's problems: plants. He flipped his curriculum to integrate gardening as an entry point for all learning and inadvertently created an international phenomenon. As Ritz likes to say, "Fifty thousand pounds of vegetables later, my favorite crop is organically grown citizens who are growing and eating themselves into good health and amazing opportunities."
The Power of a Plant tells the story of a green teacher from the Bronx who let one idea germinate into a movement and changed his students' lives by learning alongside them. Since greening his curriculum, Ritz has seen near-perfect attendance and graduation rates, dramatically increased passing rates on state exams, and behavioral incidents slashed in half. In the poorest congressional district in America, he has helped create 2,200 local jobs and built farms and gardens while changing landscapes and mindsets for residents, students, and colleagues. Along the way, Ritz lost more than 100 pounds by eating the food that he and his students grow in school. The Power of a Plant is his story of hope, resilience, regeneration, and optimism.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
Members Reviews:
I just got the book yesterday and I'm so glad I did
I just got the book yesterday and I'm so glad I did!! The only thing more inspiring than Steve's story is to see him in person. Ritz has passion and enthusiasm that is so infectious. You can't help but like the guy. His story- and the work he does - needs to be shared with anyone who works with kids. This is a must read for educators!!!
Read This Book Before You Die
I'm only one hundred pages into this journey and I already love this guy. Stephen Ritz reminds me of the small handful of teachers who stood out as particularly engaged in the individual growth and lives of their students. He is the teacher I would want to be if I had taken that path. He is one of those people who whether he intends to or not, points to the Creator as well as the creation. Like the glory of stars in the night sky, a mountain panorama, or rolling ocean waves pounding the coast, Stephen Ritz's passion, creativity, love and his personal preservation of the wonder of childhood is one of those times when God tips his hand. This is the book you will want to buy in bulk and gift to young minds contemplating a career in education, tired teachers in the middle of a stalled career, or to anyone who may be inspired or inspire-able to make a difference.