Dr. Edna Rowery Allen

Dr. Edna R. Allen was educated in East St. Louis Public School District #189.  She attended Washington and Franklin Elementary Schools, Hughes Quinn Junior High, and graduated from the legendary Lincoln High School.  A child prodigy herself, Dr. Allen graduated from high school at age sixteen. She continued to advance her education when she enrolled in Lincoln University of Missouri where she graduated in 3 and 1/2 years with a Bachelor of Science in Business in 1960.  She was fast-tracked in the Public School system by mentors who realized her potential. By 1962, she moved from a substitute teacher to a regular typing teacher. As a young educator, she was given an opportunity to serve as a counselor at the middle school level.

By 1964, she was thrust into administrative assignments and ultimately found herself being invited to write and produce support programs for children who were performing beyond their grade and age level. Dr. Allen became Director of the Gifted Program for District #189 and remained in that position for 21 years. Dr. Allen advanced her own academic skills earning a Master’s Degree in Counseling from the University of Illinois. Her work in the education field became widely known throughout the state and country.