Abbe Futterman

Teacher Abbe Futterman of Brooklyn, for example, bought a Honda Civic Hybrid the week before last after her conventionally powered Civic was wrecked in an accident while parked.But the 43-year-old, who teaches science at Earth's School, a public elementary school in lower Manhattan, says she probably would have done the same even if gasoline prices hadn't soared this year.

Abbe Futterman was born in Brooklyn, NY.She attended public schools there and on Eastern Long Island.She studied painting and art education at Pratt Institute before getting a Masters in Early Childhood Education from Bank Street College of Education.Abbe helped to found The Earth School where she teaches Earth Studies (conflict resolution and science) to all the age groupings.She is an active member of The Prospect Center in Bennington, Vermont.Abbe enjoys reading, documentary film, ice-skating, and does not watch television.

Portrait of Abbe Futterman by Nora Drew