NIHSDA

Areas of Expertise: Patty Brown is an experienced early childhood education consultant with over 40 years of experience serving children from infancy through school age, including roles as a teacher, program director, administrator, and faculty instructor. Her areas of expertise include child development, family engagement, program management, leadership development, mentoring, and professional training.

Patty currently serves as a part-time instructor in Early Childhood Education at Shasta College and an instructor for Career and Technical Education in Early Childhood for High School Students. She has worked in partnership with parents, families, and caregivers across a wide range of early childhood programs, including tribal and non-tribal center-based programs, family child care, State Preschool, and college laboratory schools.

A skilled communicator and facilitator, Patty brings strengths in coordination, collaboration, organization, and program development. She is a lifelong learner and a strong advocate for cultural competency and equity in early childhood education. Through the development and implementation of workshops, policies, and curriculum, she supports educators and administrators in strengthening learning environments and enhancing experiences for children, families, providers, and communities.

Patty has planned, developed, and facilitated professional learning opportunities at the local, regional, state, and national levels. Known for her open-door approach, she values accessibility, reflective practice, and relationship-building as foundations for individual growth and program improvement.

 

Patty Brown is an Early Childhood Education Instructor at Shasta College and a Career and Technical Education Instructor for Regional Occupational Programs (ROP), serving both high school students and adults. In these roles, she provides hands-on learning experiences and supports clear pathways to college and careers in early childhood education. With more than 40 years of experience, Patty has worked as a teacher, administrator, consultant, and faculty member across a wide range of early learning settings, including tribal and non-tribal programs, Head Start, State Preschool, family child care, and college laboratory schools. Her areas of expertise include child development, family engagement, leadership development, program management, mentoring, and professional training. Patty’s professional leadership includes serving as President of the National Indian Head Start Directors Association, Director Mentor for the State of California, Technical Assistance Specialist for the National Center for Tribal Child Care, and Education Specialist for the City of Seattle’s Child Care Assistance Program. She has also served as a Head Start Generalist Reviewer Consultant for DLH/Danya International and as a consultant for the California Master Plan for Early Learning. A strong advocate for cultural competency and equity, Patty actively represents tribal early learning communities through her work with the California Head Start Association, State and Tribal Workgroups, the AIAN Collaboration Workgroup, and the AIAN FACES Advisory Group. Patty is a frequent presenter at local, regional, state, and national conferences, including the National Indian Education Association, California Head Start Association, National Indian Head Start Directors Association Leadership Conference, and Region 9 Family Engagement Conference. She holds certifications as a state trainer and facilitator for Growing Up WILD, the Johnson & Johnson Health Care Institute, and I Am Moving, I Am Learning. In addition to her teaching and consulting work, Patty provides parent and family workshops on topics such as supporting challenging behaviors, family literacy, health and wellness, science learning, and father engagement. Known for her collaborative approach and open-door philosophy, Patty is committed to strengthening early learning programs and supporting educators, families, and communities.