Backed by a long and distinguished career as a home economist and educator in biological science, economics, vocational training and pre-kindergarten, Joan Landenberger Trefts is a well-respected member of her field. She started her journey as a summer school principal at John Adams High School, Collinwood High School and South High School, all from 1972 to 1995. Although she retired at the end of her tenure with the schools, she found she missed academia and, in 1996, she took on a variety of positions with her former employers. These include inner city principal with Collinwood High School and South High School and science teacher at John Adams High School, Collinwood High School, and South High School. She ultimately retired from the roles in 2013.
Leading up to her career, Ms. Trefts received a Bachelor of Arts from Western College for Women in 1952 and master’s degrees from John Carroll University in Ohio in 1982 and 1984. She also became licensed as a home economist and certified as a principal by both the New York State Education Department and the Ohio Department of Education.
To keep up with her industry and peers, Ms. Trefts has held memberships in numerous organizations and associations, including the the Ohio Vocational Association, the American Vocational Association, and the American Home Economics Association. She also completed time as a consultant with the Cleveland Partnership program and as a historian for the National Society of Arts and Letters. Further, as a civic-minded person and contributor to her community, Ms. Trefts has maintained affiliation as a member of Daughters of the American Revolution since 2000, as well as the Presbyterian Association, the Colonial Dames of XVII Century, and the U.S. Daughters of 1812. Other notable associations include the National Officers Colonial Clergy, the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, and the Association for Career & Technical Education. Currently, she holds positions as the president general of the National Society of Dames of the Court of Honor and state officer of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution.
In recognition of her achievements, Ms. Trefts received the Outstanding Teacher of the Year in Cleveland Award in 1994. She earned the Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016, and was featured in multiple issues of Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Education, Who’s Who in the World, and Who’s Who of American Women.
Now that she is retired, Ms. Trefts has time to enjoy hobbies like curling, rug hooking, and needlepoint.