Alumni of Distinction Honoree: David Wicks, Dr. Mauriciere de Govia, Stephen Ritz and Dr. Jonathan Brown

Join us in celebrating CITE’s 2025 Alumni of Distinction Gala! 🎉👏
This is your chance to honor the incredible achievements of our alumni, connect with education leaders, and celebrate the impact of the CITE community. 🌟

📅 Save the Date: March 26th, 2025
🎟 Click here for tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cite-spring-gala-2025-alumni-of-distinction-tickets-1233556814639?aff=erelexpmlt

David Wicks (Bio):

David Wicks is the Chief Operating Officer at Eastern Suffolk BOCES. He previously served for eight years as the District Superintendent for Eastern Suffolk BOCES. In his time with the agency, Mr. Wicks has supported 51 school districts that educate over 150,000 students in Suffolk County.

This region is host to a great deal of economic, geographic, and cultural diversity. As such, the needs of the students and school districts are equally as diverse. Mr. Wicks and his colleagues at Eastern Suffolk BOCES proudly support these needs for the betterment of the students that they serve.

Dr. Mauriciere de Govia (Bio):

Dr. Mauriciere de Govia, known as Dr. Mauri, is a transformational keynote speaker, leadership strategist, and change management expert. With nearly 30 years in education and leadership development, she has shaped systemic improvements, from the classroom to the executive level. As a former teacher, principal, superintendent, and executive superintendent, she led over 350 schools, impacting hundreds of thousands of students. She also specializes in emergency management, ensuring the safety and preparedness of over one million students in New York City Public Schools.

A master andragogist, Dr. Mauri designs transformative learning experiences that maximize adult potential, strengthen instructional leadership, and drive sustainable change. She integrates mindfulness, meditation, and yoga into leadership practices to foster resilience and peak performance. As a highly rated graduate professor with CITE (Center for Integrated Teacher Education), she is recognized by her students for her engaging instruction, insightful feedback, and ability to equip future school leaders with practical, impactful strategies for success. As an accomplished, award-winning speaker mentored by Les Brown, Dr. Mauri captivates audiences with compelling storytelling and strategic inspiration.

Her global impact includes advancing STEAM education in Ghana, supporting girls’ school attendance in The Gambia, and developing nature-based curricula through scientific research in the Peruvian Amazon. She is also the creator of The Urban Vanguard podcast and co-host of The Purple Paradigm. Through her work, Dr. Mauri inspires individuals and organizations to embrace innovation and lead with purpose.

Stephen Ritz (Bio):

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 the Child-Whisperer, 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 300,000 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, award-winning documentary, GENERATION GROWTH.

Stephen serves as a Senior Fellow in Social Innovation at Babson College, a Senior Teaching Fellow for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and as a Board Member for the NYC Nutrition Education Network. Stephen is now appearing in the new educational television series,Let’s Learn with Mister Ritz, was named the 2020 Change-Maker Award by NYC Food Policy Center and CNN Food Hero for his response to COVID, named a 2021 Food Hero by TMZ Live, testified for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ending Hunger in America, and was awarded the 2021 Artemis CEA Disruptor Award for his work, advocacy, and impact in public schools across NYC and America.

Stephen was awarded 2022 and 2023 Best of Bronx and is a member of the Food Transition Team and the Urban Agriculture Advisory Board for NYC Mayor, Eric Adams. Stephen was named 2023 Global Food Hero and celebrated by Anthem Awards for his non-profit leadership. Green Bronx Machine was named by Fast Company as Most Innovative Company 2024. Recently honored as 2024 Food Waste Warrior by Food Tank, Stephen was invited to meet personally with USDA Secretary Tom Visac at the first-ever Agrifood Innovation Symposium: Cultivating Scientific Solutions that Nourish People & Planet to highlight the work and impact of Green Bronx Machine.

Dr. Jonathan Brown’s (Bio):

Dr. Jonathan Brown is a dedicated educational leader, serving as Chief Academic Officer at Catalyst Education. Formerly Assistant Superintendent for Learning Network 13 in the Philadelphia School District, he oversaw 12 high schools, achieving notable gains in literacy and earning multiple awards for excellence in education.

With over 20 years of experience, including roles in New York as Deputy Superintendent in the Arlington Central School District, Dr. Brown has led initiatives in curriculum, equity, and professional development. This work has resulted in tremendous academic gains and more inclusive experiences for all students.

A lifelong learner, he has taught at institutions like The American College of Education, Fordham University and Bank Street College. Dr. Brown holds a Bachelor’s in Chinese from The Lincoln University, an M.S. in Educational Leadership, and an Ed.D. in Executive Leadership. His career reflects a steadfast commitment to improving education and empowering communities.

Schools can use PD purchase orders—this event qualifies for CTLE credits! For PD fund purchases, email John@citeprograms.com 🔹
🙏 Special thanks to our sponsor, Jupiter Ed—Gradebook & Messaging that works for NYC Schools!