Abbie Brown is the Educational Director at our 411 Dumont Avenue Center in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn. She brings to her leadership more than 17 years of professional experience and expertise in all aspects of Early Childhood Education, and a lifelong commitment to helping others maximize their potential. Being herself originally from Brownsville, Brooklyn, she has embraced her appointment to lead this school as a “homecoming” of sorts and an opportunity to pay it forward to the next generation of children and youth growing up in her childhood community.

Ms. Brown is a career educator committed to building mutually supportive partnerships with parents and families to ensure the holistic development of every child in our care. As a child, she often pretended to be a teacher with her toys and her brother as her students. She attended NYC public schools and CUNY colleges, earning an Associate’s degree in English from Borough of Manhattan Community College, a Bachelor’s degree in English from York College, and a Master of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Hunter College. She is also a graduate of the Pre-K Scholars Program – a scholarship initiative launched by former Mayor Bill de Blasio.   In addition to her academic accomplishments, she also holds the New York State Initial Certification in Early Childhood Education (Birth – Second Grade). She is especially well versed in Article 47 and curriculum standards, and is passionate about promoting open lines of communication and family engagement.

Abbie began her career as a paraprofessional with the NYC Department of Education in 2007, supporting both special education and general education classrooms before moving on to positions of incremental pedagogical and administrative responsibility. She is a former Lead Teacher with the Goddard Riverside Community Center and University Settlement, and previously served as Educational Director of the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center in the Bronx for five years before joining our Friends of Crown Heights family.

Outside of the education field, Abbie has spent some years in the beauty industry as a nail technician. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and exploring new brunch spots.