N u r t u r e d

M i n i s t r y

P r o f e s s i o n

Annette was born in a hospital in the London Borough of Islington in England to Monica and Washburn Brown.  She is the third of four loving siblings.  Marlene and Michael her elder siblings and Steve her younger brother.  As a child, in North London, she attended Parkhurst nursery and primary school, Down lane Junior school and then she went excitedly on to Northumberland Park senior school.  A new Northumberland Park school building was in its second or third year and there was an influx of young innovative teachers in the faculty. 
 
At the age of eight Annette expressed an interest in ballet. Her parents sacrificed their time and money to send her to Maureen Lyons Dancing School for ballet, tap and modern dance in Tottenham, London.  Classic training and the school’s ongoing participation in dancing competitions promoted a life time of interest and activity in dance.  As an adult, she decided to become a liturgical dancer.
 
“a type of dance movement sometimes incorporated into liturgies or worship services as an expression of worship…” Wikipedia
 
In senior school, Annette participated in many team sports.  Grass hockey, rounders (similar to baseball) and various track and field sports. Engagement with musical instruments from recorder to clarinet lead to the unique opportunity to become a part of a steel band.  A professional steel band artist from Trinidad created a band from students in various senior schools in North London.  This steel band was eventually invited to perform at various different venues including the Commonwealth Institute in London and an event in Koblenz, Germany.
 
Major influences in Annette’s interest in writing began at home.  Reading to her parents and having intentional family discussion and debates sparked interest in communicating through dialogue and text.  In elementary school Miss Mc Claren, at the end of many school days, would gather her students together to create and tell an adventurous story that would include students in her class.  Her stories fascinated students and facilitated many of Annette’s first early childhood fictional stories.  Later on she decided to take ‘A’ Level English and was introduced to a rich variety of writers, poets and influential historic figures.  For example, Thomas Hardy, Dylon Thomas and the life time achievements of individuals such as Nelson Mandella.
 
She is very thankful for a rich and engaging education and nurturing family.

Excerpt from Dance Ministry Event

After a life changing prayer, she became a born again Christian and acquired a drive to seek her purpose in life.  For over twenty years she has been an active member of Springfield Gardens United Methodist Church.  In 2005, she completed a two-year certificate course in Christian Ministry with New York Theological Seminary. 

Annette has served in Missions to communities in Accra, Ghana, Rustenburg, South Africa, St. Vincent, Jamaica, British Virgin Islands, as well as various parts of New York City. Additionally she has utilized her gifts in the ministry arts serving as a member of the worship ministries of song and dance. Her passion for God, ministry and professional education experience  prepared Annette to teach as she facilitated Sunday School and taught at Springfield Garden UMC's Bible Institute for several years.

After moving to the states from London Annette acquired a degree in Information Systems Management at York C.U.N.Y. College. Before graduating, she entered a career in computer network support. Early in her career, Annette became motivated to inquire about the requirements for becoming a teacher. She began a career working for the NYC Department of Education in January 1999.  At the same time, she acquired her Masters of Science in Education. 
 
At Bank Street College she obtained a Master of Science Degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education and a degree in Math Leadership at Lehman College.  Currently, she works as a UFT Teacher Center - Math Staff Developer.   She has had many high points in her teaching career.  Last year she was hired as a member of the NYS Early Learning Task Force for the Next Generation Standards for ELA and Math.