At her SUA graduation in 1990, Christine Coleman received a college scholarship from Optimist Clubs of Downtown Toledo and a Westgate & Sylvania Youth Appreciation citation. These accolades came as no surprise, as she was a Senior class representative, a member of America’s Pride, a Senior Student Council Queen, a member of the Pep Club, and a member of Youth to Youth during her time at SUA.  

After graduation, Coleman attended the University of Dayton, earning a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. Later she received a master’s degree in School Administration from the University of Toledo. She was following in the footsteps of her father, Pariss Coleman, a Toledo junior high school principal and substitute administrator.

As an employee of Toledo Public Schools, Coleman has moved up the ranks, recently accepting the role of principal at Beverly Elementary School. She enjoys impacting the lives of young people. As an administrator, her words of wisdom for her students play out in a very real way. Coleman believes that, no matter what something or someone looks like on the outside, everyone needs human connections.

Her passion to connect with others led her to form a friendship with Muhammad, an unhoused man, she began assisting six years ago. Coleman spends each Monday evening, delivering Muhammad a hot meal. They also share a conversation. Coleman has documented their interactions on her Facebook page and calls her posts “Mondays with Muhammad.”

Coleman is also the mother of Kennedy Coleman ’20.