Seeding the Future: Building K–12 Pathways to Green Careers in the Bronx
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 | 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Fordham University, Bepler Commons (Faber Hall)
This gathering will bring together educators, community partners, and workforce leaders to shape a Bronx-rooted pipeline that connects young people to meaningful opportunities in the growing green economy. Join us to hear from leaders across education, workforce development, and community-based organizations, and to contribute your school’s perspective as we build a stronger pathway for Bronx students.
Opening Remarks:
Eric Dinowitz
Member
New York City Council
Eric Dinowitz is a community activist, former special education teacher and Chapter Leader for the United Federation of Teachers, former Aging Chair of Bronx Community Board 8, and currently represents the Northwest Bronx communities of Riverdale, Kingsbridge, Woodlawn and Norwood in the New York City Council, where he chairs the Education committee.
Eric attended Bronx’s public schools and served as a special education teacher for thirteen years in the Bronx and was a chapter leader at his union, the United Federation of Teachers. As a Democratic District Leader, Council Member Dinowitz fought for transit accessibility by joining together a coalition of local advocates and elected officials to bring an elevator to the Mosholu Avenue subway stop. A former member of New York-based Jewish A cappella group Six13, he is currently raising his two sons with his wife in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx.
Eric Dinowitz is a community activist, former special education teacher and Chapter Leader for the United Federation of Teachers, former Aging Chair of Bronx Community Board 8, and currently represents the Northwest Bronx communities of Riverdale, Kingsbridge, Woodlawn and Norwood in the New York City Council, where he chairs the Education committee.
Eric attended Bronx’s public schools and served as a special education teacher for thirteen years in the Bronx and was a chapter leader at his union, the United Federation of Teachers. As a Democratic District Leader, Council Member Dinowitz fought for transit accessibility by joining together a coalition of local advocates and elected officials to bring an elevator to the Mosholu Avenue subway stop. A former member of New York-based Jewish A cappella group Six13, he is currently raising his two sons with his wife in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx.
Moderator:
Timothy Coleman
Director of Education
BronxNet Community Television
Timothy “StoneDancer” Coleman is a nationally respected creative leader, educator, and community innovator with over 25 years of experience at the intersection of media, education, storytelling, and social impact. A Grammy-nominated songwriter, performer, producer, and arts administrator, Timothy has built a career dedicated to empowering individuals and communities to find their voice, share their stories, and lead with purpose
Timothy “StoneDancer” Coleman is a nationally respected creative leader, educator, and community innovator with over 25 years of experience at the intersection of media, education, storytelling, and social impact. A Grammy-nominated songwriter, performer, producer, and arts administrator, Timothy has built a career dedicated to empowering individuals and communities to find their voice, share their stories, and lead with purpose
As the current Director of Education at BronxNet Community Television, Timothy creates dynamic curricula and trains community members in media production, fostering creativity and connection across the Bronx and beyond.
In 2020, he founded The Coleman Global Initiative, LLC., to help people find and achieve their purpose through his program "The Art of Storytelling". The program empowers participants to reclaim their unique stories and share their voices with the world
Timothy is the author of "The Colors of Sound Podcast Planner and Journal" and a sought-after motivational speaker. A former Family Leadership Coordinator for the NYC Department of Education, Timothy combined expertise in education, business development, and media with a deep commitment to community enrichment.
In 2020, he founded The Coleman Global Initiative, LLC., to help people find and achieve their purpose through his program "The Art of Storytelling". The program empowers participants to reclaim their unique stories and share their voices with the world
Timothy is the author of "The Colors of Sound Podcast Planner and Journal" and a sought-after motivational speaker. A former Family Leadership Coordinator for the NYC Department of Education, Timothy combined expertise in education, business development, and media with a deep commitment to community enrichment.
Panelists:
Liz McKoy
Director of Education
NY Sun Works
Liz McKoy is the Director of Education at NY Sun Works, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing quality sustainability science and climate education to K-12 city schools. A veteran of the NYC education system, Liz oversees the development of curricular content, pedagogical strategies, and program assessments for NY Sun Works’ 370+ partner schools. She holds a doctorate in Urban Education from the Graduate Center, CUNY with a research focus on advancing equity in STEM fields, and also serves as an adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Foundations at Hunter College.
Liz McKoy is the Director of Education at NY Sun Works, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing quality sustainability science and climate education to K-12 city schools. A veteran of the NYC education system, Liz oversees the development of curricular content, pedagogical strategies, and program assessments for NY Sun Works’ 370+ partner schools. She holds a doctorate in Urban Education from the Graduate Center, CUNY with a research focus on advancing equity in STEM fields, and also serves as an adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Foundations at Hunter College.
Aleyna Rodriguez
Executive Director
Mary Mitchell Youth and Family Center
With a passion for bridging environmental education and community development, Aleyna Rodriguez has led the Bronx's Mary Mitchell Center since 2019 where she oversees youth programming after school and during the summers, a yearly Summer Youth Employment Program cohort, neighborhood cleanups and food distributions, and four Bronx farmers market sites. She has also worked at the Food Bank of New York and the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. A Bronx native, she studied environmental science at the University of Vermont.
With a passion for bridging environmental education and community development, Aleyna Rodriguez has led the Bronx's Mary Mitchell Center since 2019 where she oversees youth programming after school and during the summers, a yearly Summer Youth Employment Program cohort, neighborhood cleanups and food distributions, and four Bronx farmers market sites. She has also worked at the Food Bank of New York and the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. A Bronx native, she studied environmental science at the University of Vermont.
Stephen Ritz
Founder
Green Bronx Machine
Stephen Ritz is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning educator, author of best-selling book, The Power Of A Plant and Founder of Green Bronx Machine. Known as America’s favorite teacher and 2015 Top Ten Finalist for the Global Teacher Prize, Stephen is responsible for creating the first edible classroom in the world. He and his students have grown more than 165,000 pounds of vegetables in the South Bronx, were celebrated at the Obama White House three times, have been featured on the cover of TIME for KIDS, and are the subject of a new, full-feature documentary, Generation Growth. A replica of his classroom was installed in the US Botanic Gardens in Washington, DC and his curriculum is being used in hundreds of schools across the United States.
Stephen Ritz is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning educator, author of best-selling book, The Power Of A Plant and Founder of Green Bronx Machine. Known as America’s favorite teacher and 2015 Top Ten Finalist for the Global Teacher Prize, Stephen is responsible for creating the first edible classroom in the world. He and his students have grown more than 165,000 pounds of vegetables in the South Bronx, were celebrated at the Obama White House three times, have been featured on the cover of TIME for KIDS, and are the subject of a new, full-feature documentary, Generation Growth. A replica of his classroom was installed in the US Botanic Gardens in Washington, DC and his curriculum is being used in hundreds of schools across the United States.
Chauncy Young
Director of Education Organizing
New Settlement
Chauncy Young has been active in the field of Education Organizing since 2004, when he joined as an organizer with the Community Collaborative to Improve District 9 Schools (CC9). He also is a founding member of the Coalition for Educational Justice (CEJ) and a founding member of the Healing-Centered Schools Working Group, both citywide coalitions of which the New Settlement Parent Action Committee is a member organization.
Chauncy worked with United Parents of Highbridge prior to becoming the Director of Education Organizing at New Settlement. He coordinated the Highbridge Middle School campaign, which led to the creation of the Highbridge Green School, and coordinated the Highbridge School Coalition and the Highbridge Clergy Coalition. He was an active member organizer of the Muslim Holiday Campaign, and was involved in the CC9 Lead Teacher Program, as well as campaigns for the Middle School Initiative, Community Schools, and Culturally Responsive Education.
Chauncy Young has been active in the field of Education Organizing since 2004, when he joined as an organizer with the Community Collaborative to Improve District 9 Schools (CC9). He also is a founding member of the Coalition for Educational Justice (CEJ) and a founding member of the Healing-Centered Schools Working Group, both citywide coalitions of which the New Settlement Parent Action Committee is a member organization.
Chauncy worked with United Parents of Highbridge prior to becoming the Director of Education Organizing at New Settlement. He coordinated the Highbridge Middle School campaign, which led to the creation of the Highbridge Green School, and coordinated the Highbridge School Coalition and the Highbridge Clergy Coalition. He was an active member organizer of the Muslim Holiday Campaign, and was involved in the CC9 Lead Teacher Program, as well as campaigns for the Middle School Initiative, Community Schools, and Culturally Responsive Education.
Gabrielle Perez
Education & Outreach Manager
Bronx is Blooming
Gabby began working at The Bronx is Blooming in the summer of 2019 as the Project Mentor of Rev. Foster Park. She is now leading our efforts to connect more with young children by cultivating partnerships with pre-schools, elementary schools and libraries. Gabby also helps us ensure great volunteer turnout at our park revitalization projects by coordinating with individual community members, organizations, businesses, and schools.
She has a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Fordham University and her M.S in Sustainability in the Urban Environment from The City College of New York.