Dear Members of the Brick Community:
I am thrilled to announce the appointment of Marie Fabian as the next Director of the Brick Church School.
Culminating a thorough and inclusive search, the Director Nominating Committee voted unanimously to recommend Marie to the Day School Committee and Session, which voted, both unanimously, in favor of appointing her Director, effective July 1, 2023.
Marie’s experience at Brick runs deep: She has served ably as Interim Director and was previously a senior administrator. Marie cherishes time with students, has strong professional connections with faculty, and works tirelessly to build relationships with Brick families, ongoing schools, and church members. With her unparalleled knowledge of Brick, tireless work ethic, and warm presence at drop-off, pick-up, in classrooms, and at family and church meetings, Marie is well equipped to build on Brick’s success and lead Brick to a thriving future.
About Marie Fabian
Marie is devoted to early childhood education. While a student at Oberlin College, Marie spent summers at the Episcopal School in New York City. After graduation, Marie taught at Episcopal while earning graduate degrees in law and education at Fordham University. Ultimately Marie became the Curriculum and Program Coordinator at Episcopal.
In 2005 Marie joined Brick as the first Assistant Director, supporting and supervising faculty, overseeing professional development, managing teacher hiring, and coordinating services for students with special needs. Later becoming Director of Institutional Advancement and Co-business Manager, Marie was instrumental in professionalizing Brick’s senior leadership team. Additionally, Marie organized Brick’s self-study for a ten-year review and reaccreditation by the New York State Association of Independent Schools.
After leaving Brick in 2012, Marie was Director and Head Teacher at the Circle School in Croton-on-Hudson, NY.
Marie lives in Montrose, NY with her wife Genie and has two children: Annie, in her first year at Wesleyan University, and Jimmy, a ninth grader at the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, NY. Previously, Marie was Parent Association president and an ex officio member of the Board of Trustees at the Masters School. She also directed the Sunday school at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Croton-on-Hudson, NY.
Beyond education, Marie is committed to animal welfare, adopting cats and dogs from animal rescues, most recently Kirby, a blind eleven-year-old dog. Additionally, Marie is an avid gardener, particularly passionate about tomatoes.
Support from the Brick Community
During the search, numerous members of the Brick community sent the Director Nominating Committee letters supporting Marie, a sample of which follow:
Marie is present at the school; she is outside every morning shaking students’ hands and making eye contact prior to welcoming them into the school…. Marie responds in a very timely manner to emails with clear, practical and concise answers. She welcomes and encourages in-person meetings and makes herself always available – it’s incredibly impressive…. She knows the families and KNOWS the children…. Even my child knows who she is. (Brick parent)
Her presence at school has created a calm and loving environment to all who enter the facility, as she greets everyone with her warm, genuine and kind nature. (Brick teacher)
She is constantly out speaking with the directors of ongoing schools and really advocating for each child. And she’s incredibly knowledgeable about the exmissions process and working hard to get to know each and every child in the school through time with them in the classroom. (Brick parent)
The Search Process
Marie’s appointment follows a comprehensive eight-month search. I am deeply thankful to my colleagues on the Director Nominating Committee who generously gave so much time and attention to the search. Additionally, I am grateful for the many Brick community members who participated, providing insights and helping articulate the issues and opportunities faced by the school and the qualities and qualifications needed in the next Director.
Once Amy Warden announced her departure in March 2022, the Director Nominating Committee began working with consultants from Carney, Sandoe & Associates, and is thankful for their assistance. The consultants interviewed school families, church members, faculty and staff, Day School Committee and Session members, trustees, and church ministers; gathered information through a survey of the entire Brick community; and relied on the perspectives of the Director Nominating Committee to craft a Position Description setting forth the essential qualities and qualifications sought in the next Director.
On Brick’s behalf, the consultants contacted nearly 100 prospective candidates and, from that pool, identified a dynamic and diverse group of eight outstanding school leaders. The Director Nominating Committee interviewed five semi-finalists, and then invited four finalists, including Marie, to interview at Brick in the fall. All finalists met with families, senior school administrators, teachers, church ministers, Session members, Day School Committee members, and the Director Nominating Committee; all participants were asked for feedback.
Although all four finalists are all highly qualified early childhood educators, a consensus emerged among the Director Nominating Committee that Marie is best suited to lead Brick forward and has done excellent work as Interim Director.
Please join me in congratulating Marie Fabian on her appointment as Brick’s next Director.
Sincerely yours,
Ted Clement
Chair, Director Nominating Committee and Day School Committee