Coming up as the daughter of a teacher, it may be only natural that Nadine Coleman made a name for herself in that field.
Actually, “blazed a path” might be a better term, with a lifelong service to the endeavor that led her, among other places, to the Petal School District, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Bible school, and most recently, the newest recipient of the Petal School District’s Champion of the Year Award.
“I was quite surprised and obviously very, very honored,” Coleman said of the award. “Looking at other folks who have been recognized through the years, it’s quite an honor to be recognized with others who have supported our school district in so many ways.
“Obviously, I’ve stayed active doing things since I retired, but I certainly have not thought about anything like this at all. So it was quite a surprise, and I’m very honored.”
After coming to Mississippi in 1983, Coleman taught kindergarten for eight years before being named director of the Petal School District’s Parent Resource Center, which was renamed the Coleman Center for Families and Children after her retirement in 2016. During her time at the center, Coleman and her staff were the recipients of several state and national recognitions honoring the center’s work to support families and children.
Coleman also has worked with children in her capacity as coordinator of Vacation Bible School, as well as a teacher of Bible school, Sunday school and pre-school choir. She recently served as a volunteer at summer church camp and she has also worked on the committee for the children’s department of her church’s building project, as well as on the committee to explore moving the Christian Women’s Job Corp program under her church’s outreach work.
“Growing up with a mother as an educator was certainly a factor (in my passion for education),” Coleman said. “But really and truly, my love for little children began when I taught in the very first Headstart program back in the ‘60s.
“So that was when I figured out that little kids were where my heart was – I discovered that was the age that I truly loved to work with.”
Coleman also has been recognized as Mentor of the Year by Big Brothers/Big Sisters, an organization that pairs youth with volunteer mentors to help children reach their potential via one-on-one relationships with the mentors. Perhaps her biggest accomplishment in that role was mentoring a student from kindergarten through graduation, even staying in touch with her to this day.
“She just absolutely stole my heart; I just fell in love with her,” Coleman said. “We still stay in touch – she has children now, and she’s just a really special young lady.
“It meant so much to me to be able to have that connection with her, and watch her grow through the years. I’m really proud of her, and she’s just a fine young lady.”
Throughout her career, Coleman also has served as a committee member with various organizations including the Mississippi State Early Childhood Institute, the Barksdale Reading Institute, the Mississippi Department of Education and the Mississippi Department of Health. She’s also worked with members of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, the Mississippi Legislature, the governor’s office, DREAM, United Way of Southeast Mississippi and the Mississippi Community College Board.
For her community work, Coleman was recognized as the 2005 Bobby Runnels Leadership Award winner by the Petal Area Chamber of Commerce, the 2013 Administrator of the Year by the Petal School District and the 2014 Person of the Year by The Petal News.
In retirement, Coleman remains involved with Petal Excel By 5, where she was serving as chair of the organization’s coalition and steering committee in 2018 when Petal became re-certified as an Excel By 5 community. She also recently volunteered on a weekly basis at Petal Elementary School as an assistant in the science lab and a classroom reading tutor.
She continues to work on the state Excel By 5 board of directors, where she has served as secretary, president and current past president. Coleman also currently serves on the Mississippi THRIVE advisory board and is a 26-year member of the Cosmopolitan Club, where she is currently conservation chair and the 2018 Cosmopolitan Club’s Clubwoman of the Year.
“Nadine only does any task one way: to perfection,” said Leahne Lightsey, executive director of the Petal Education Foundation. “She has poured her heart and soul into the lives of the children and families of the Petal School District, beginning even from before birth.
“Even though she is retired, she keeps guiding and pushing the rest of us on the Excel By 5 Coalition, as well as the other 33 affiliate cities. Nadine is a visionary, and leaders across our state and region know that and want her advice and input.”
Coleman will be honored at the Petal Panthers homecoming football game on Sept. 27, as well as at a tailgating reception before the game at Panther Stadium.
“That’s always fun,” Coleman said. “I’ll get to talk to a lot of people that I don’t have time to talk to real often, so I think that’ll be a fun event. I’m looking forward to visiting and seeing everyone.”
