Former King Philip teacher Janna Bremer Inspired Her Students

Last week, Wrentham lost one of their own as Janna Mae Bremer lost her six year battle with cancer on July 2. A teacher for 38 years, Bremer left her mark as a popular social studies teacher and track coach for the King Philip girls’ track team.

A graduate of Norwood High School in 1960 and American University in 1964, Bremer came to King Philip after spending 1965 and 1966 in the Peace Corps teaching English as a foreign language. After working as as substitute teacher for KP, Bremer secured a position as a history teacher at the school where she remained until her retirement in 2005.

While teaching, Bremer was named Outstanding History Teacher by the Massachusetts Daughters of the American Revolution and Outstanding Social Studies Supervisor by the Massachusetts Council for the Social Studies.

She also served at the president of the Massachusetts Council for Social Studies for the 1981-82 school year and continued to be active with the group as their executive secretary.

Wrentham Historical Commission Chairman Greg Stahl remembers clearly sitting in 10th grade history class with Bremer in her first year at the school Personable and kind, Stahl has fond memories of that class from his days as a student at King Philip High School.

“She was a good, energetic teacher,” Stahl recalled. “She was a very personable woman. Everyone got along with her very well.”

Stahl recalled how she was always willing to help her community.

“I ran into her 20 years after graduation and we were restoring the water trough at Wrentham Common and I asked her if I was going to get extra credit for helping. We had a good laugh about that,” he said.

On the track, Bremer provided KP girls one of their first chances to compete in athletics. Starting the school’s girls’ track team in 1972, Bremer’s new venture into the world of track and field came at a time where Title IX was just passed and opportunities for girls to play sports were rare. Bremer coached the girls’ team until her retirement in 2005 but remained active in the sport as an official.

Three years after retiring, Bremer was introduced into the KP Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2008 for her 34 seasons at the helm of the girls' track team.

Bremer leaves behind two sisters, two nephews, her husband William, and numerous friends and relatives. 

A memorial service was held on Saturday, July 7 at the First Congregational Church in Norwood. A person of strong faith, donations to the First Congregational Church or the American Cancer Society can be make in her memory in lieu of flowers