As students enter her classroom, they find themselves surrounded by colorful banners, piñatas, and pictures plastered on the walls. SRHS Spanish teacher Ms. Coleman lights up the room by greeting students with her warmth and positivity, reminding everyone to be a little kinder to themselves. But what most people aren’t aware of, is the life-changing experience that completely shaped the way she teaches, listens, and interacts with those around her. 

Ms. Coleman grew up in Mill Valley, which she describes as a small, close-knit community. During her childhood, she loved going to school and remembers those years as cheerful and full of curiosity. When Ms. Coleman was twelve years old, a sudden medical emergency changed the trajectory of her life. 

“I went from being a kid to feeling like an adult overnight,” she said. 

That life-threatening accident left a lasting emotional impact. Although she physically recovered, the experience followed her into middle school, where she struggled with intense anxiety and panic, often feeling overwhelmed at school and in social situations. At a time when mental health was rarely discussed, she often felt isolated and misunderstood by those around her. “Everyone was talking about me, but not to me,” she explained. “I thought I was the only one who felt that way.”

She describes those years as deeply lonely, where she struggled internally while the world around her kept moving as if nothing was wrong. “I would look around and see everyone worrying about dances, jobs, or getting their driver’s license,” she said. “And I just remember thinking, I have so much pain inside.”

Worried of being stigmatized, Ms. Coleman faced overwhelming emotional pain, and experienced a period where she coped in ways that were harmful. “If there had been a Wellness Center at my high school like the incredible one that we have here at SRHS, I could have learned healthy self coping techniques. I could have spoken to trained and caring counselors about my feelings, and I would have realized that I was not alone. Our SRHS Wellness Center is invaluable and I know it saves lives every single day,” she said. 

The lack of available mental health resources, including counseling and language to describe what she was feeling, made her situation difficult. Words such as anxiety, panic attacks, and depression weren’t part of everyday conversation at the time. “I seriously thought I was the only person in the world who felt like that,” she said. “I didn’t know there were others.”

Despite the hardships she faced, Ms. Coleman kept moving forward. Going to college became a slow but positive turning point for her. Leaving home was difficult and overwhelming at first, but over time she found a sense of self and confidence she hadn’t felt before. “I realized, I can do this,” she said. “I can take care of myself. I can be who I am.”

What played a major role in her healing was traveling and learning different languages. Seeing different cultures and ways of life helped her understand that there was not only one right way to exist in the world. “When you travel, you realize how many different ways there are to live, it teaches you empathy,” she said. 

That empathy is something students feel every day in her classroom. For Ms. Coleman, teaching isn’t just about Spanish, it’s about kindness, patience, and creating a space where students feel safe enough to make mistakes. “I hear students call themselves stupid over the smallest things,” she said. “And I always tell them, it’s just a mistake, be nice to yourself.”

SRHS senior Wendy Rodriguez says Ms. Coleman’s classroom feels like a place where students can slow down without the fear of being judged. “It’s a class where you can relax,” Rodriguez said. “She gives us time to work, and it’s not stressful. You don’t feel rushed or pressured.”

Rodriguez also noted that the structure of the class makes a difference. Ms. Coleman balances lessons with independent work time, allowing students to stay organized while also feeling supported. 

Her passion and commitment for kindness goes beyond the classroom. Ms. Coleman helped restart SRHS’s Kindness Club after being inspired by a close friend who had witnessed the long-term emotional effects bullying had on students. The club focuses on small actions of connection and reminding students that they are seen, valued, and not alone.

“I see students sitting alone on campus, and I always wonder what they’re thinking,” she said. “Sometimes just knowing someone is there makes a difference.”

That presence is something students notice immediately. SRHS senior Emily Cardenas described Ms. Coleman’s classroom as welcoming and full of energy. “She always greets you at the door and asks how you’re doing,” Cardenas said. “Her class feels colorful and alive, while making you feel more comfortable.” 

Cardenas also shared that the environment helped her become more confident. “I learned to speak up more during group work instead of staying quiet,” she said. “It made me feel more confident.”

When asked about student behavior in her classroom, Ms. Coleman said, “If they’re unkind or disrespectful to me, I take a deep breath and think to myself that no one is born mean. I believe that we are all born happy positive babies, but life events can traumatize us and turn us into negative people. ”

Now in her 23rd year of teaching at SRHS, Ms. Coleman says what keeps her going is seeing students smile and grow whether in Spanish or in their lives. “I don’t know why we’re all here, but I feel like I’m here to make a difference,” she said. 

For students, that difference is not just academic but personal. “She’s very kind and welcoming,” Cardenas said. “Her class isn’t just about Spanish but it’s about feeling comfortable being yourself.”

By sharing her story, Ms. Coleman hopes that even one student might recognize themselves in it and feel less alone. “If someone reads this and thinks, ‘She made it through and maybe I can too,’ then it’s worth it,” she said.