Biographical Sketch
Re: Women’s History Month Assembly/Benedict College
Tuesday, March 22, 2004
Mrs. Naomi Joanna Hall Dreher received her B.A. degree from Benedict College in English Education. In order to remain up-to-date in her profession, Mrs. Dreher continued her studies at South Carolina State University where she received a Master of Science degree in Elementary Education. Her desire to remain current in the field of educational research resulted in further studies at the University of North Carolina, the University of South Carolina, and the University of Massachusetts.
In 1943, Mrs. Dreher embarked upon a career in education that would span some sixty plus years. During this tenure, she served as a teacher at Sarah Nance Elementary School (formerly Booker Washington Heights Elementary School) and Burton Elementary School (formerly Farrow Road Elementary School). She was also a Social Studies Consultant, Elementary Education Consultant, Personnel Coordinator, and principal. In 1987, Mrs. Dreher retired from public education as principal of Watkins Elementary School. All forty-four years of her distinguished career in public schools was devoted to Richland School District One, in Columbia, South Carolina. As a tribute to her success as an educator and an administrator, the district named a park in her honor.
Since “service above self” was always her motto, Mrs. Dreher began a new career at Benedict College in Columbia. Her invaluable contributions as director of Minority Access to Teacher Education (MATE) and the African American Teacher Loan Program (A-ATLP) have assisted many in pursuing a career in education. Mrs. Dreher still is actively involved as a consultant to the Teacher Education Department.
Her service to SACS has always been exceptional. Her expertise as a facilitator and Peer Review Team chair continues to keep Mrs. Dreher in high demand by schools and school systems entering into the Planning Phase and Peer Review Team Phase of the Quality School Improvement Process. Her influence as a former member of the South Carolina Elementary and Middle School Committee is ever present.
Her commitment to her profession, her community, her church, and education in general is seen in all that she does. Mrs. Dreher’s contributions are invaluable as she strives daily to make the process of teaching and learning more relevant and exciting for young learners.
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