KENNESAW, Ga. — A Cobb County private Christian school is mourning the loss of a teacher who died from flu complications.
Angela Coleman taught Spanish at Mount Paran Christian School in Kennesaw. Officials closed the high school on Friday to give students and staff time to process the tragic news.
Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell spoke with the Head of Mount Paran Christian School Matthew Kerlin about his desire to focus on the legacy Coleman has left behind.
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“ I would love to have an entire workforce of people who had her energy and passion and commitment,” he said.
Coleman’s smile, which was just as big as her heart, is forever etched into the memory of her students, staff and the countless lives she touched.
“Angela taught here for almost 15 years. Her birthday would’ve been Monday. August of this year would’ve been her 15th anniversary,” Kerlin said.
Kerlin said Coleman was bright, energetic, passionate and always had a smile on her face.
“This morning on campus, we had a group of students who met for prayer. We had our high school teachers here as well. We did not have school today to give them space to grieve. We’ve got counselors on campus who are actively helping students through this,” he said.
Coleman served as World Language chair and instructional coach in the high school. She was the faculty lead for the Student Government Association.
School officials said Coleman guided students in servant-leadership for more than 10 years.
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She was integral in starting the HOPE club, a support group for students struggling with grief or dealing with terminal illness.
Coleman was voted as one of the best teachers in Cobb County in 2023.
She most recently earned her master’s degree in School Leadership from Baylor University.
“Her love for Christ and the way that influenced her relationships with people is something that they will always remember. I have been incredibly impressed by her in the time I’ve known her, and watching our community grieve has been heartbreaking. She had two kids, obviously a husband, and her oldest is a graduate of Mt. Paran, and her youngest is a student here,” Kerlin said.
Countless posts on social media are pouring in with memories from those who knew and loved Coleman.
“I can’t imagine getting through this without having a community of people to grieve with, but also I can’t imagine grieving without the hope we have in Christ knowing she’s in a better place and we will see her again,” Kerlin said.
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