We created a GatheringUs memorial to celebrate the life of Suzanne Coleman (1963-2020). Collecting your stories and memories here will offer us great comfort. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial.
My first introduction to Suzanne came when my daughter arrived home from school early in the fall of 2007, her first year, and exuberantly exclaimed that there was a thoroughly sarcastic teacher at AGS - that is, someone who aligned with her own quirky... moreMy first introduction to Suzanne came when my daughter arrived home from school early in the fall of 2007, her first year, and exuberantly exclaimed that there was a thoroughly sarcastic teacher at AGS - that is, someone who aligned with her own quirky humor. After getting to know her for a little over a year, Suzanne and I were faculty and parent chaperones at the 8th grade dance, held in the lunch room. Apple Bottom Jeans brought everyone to the dance floor, including Suzanne and me ... and we got low low low low low low low. The students were appalled and delighted at once. Suzanne did the unexpected, inspired joy, and built community along the way.
Suzanne dripped with profound love. It misted the air of the classrooms and hallways. She left it in her footprints as she passed by. It was all wrapped into snarky comments and finger pointing, "I see you's." She could not talk about her beloved students without tearing up, whether one-on-one or before the entire school community introducing a senior speech or talking about award winners. Suzanne embodied the beating heart of AGS. She embraced us all. She said she'd return to AGS one day to teach. I miss her. She was my friend. less
Ms. Coleman was all about finding your voice.
I was a very shy middle schooler but, she always allowed me to share my humor, my fun facts, and my thought processes. She pushed her students to better themselves, supported us on our paths, and showed... moreMs. Coleman was all about finding your voice.
I was a very shy middle schooler but, she always allowed me to share my humor, my fun facts, and my thought processes. She pushed her students to better themselves, supported us on our paths, and showed genuine pride in our achievements.
Ms. Coleman and I used to write jokes to each other through emails and haiku assignments. The last thing she wrote to me was:
"My, what a voice you have!"
And those words, those few, momentous words, I swear that they changed my life.
We love you Ms. Coleman <3 less
There is so much to remember about Suzanne. Whether it was her hearty laugh, contagious smile, or her witty sense of humor. I absolutely loved having her classroom just down the hall from my office. She would often walk by and say "do you have a... moreThere is so much to remember about Suzanne. Whether it was her hearty laugh, contagious smile, or her witty sense of humor. I absolutely loved having her classroom just down the hall from my office. She would often walk by and say "do you have a few minutes". That would turn into stories of her day, or questions about what was next, or even things to ponder. What I enjoyed most was connecting with her was about our hometown, Philadelphia. We knew some of the same families and shared some of the same experiences. Suzanne will never be forgotten. Her impact on so many of us and our girls will last a lifetime. less
What I remember most about Suzanne is how she challenged everyone - students and teachers alike - to be better. She answered questions with questions and inspired me always. I have fond memories of her and know her sweet, amazing, talented, and powerful... moreWhat I remember most about Suzanne is how she challenged everyone - students and teachers alike - to be better. She answered questions with questions and inspired me always. I have fond memories of her and know her sweet, amazing, talented, and powerful Brittany will carry on her legacy in the world. less
Suzanne was a badass in the best possible way. She had an outsized impact on everyone she encountered, not least of all me. I loved (absolutely loved) managing middle school affairs with her. She was such a great companion as we together navigated our... moreSuzanne was a badass in the best possible way. She had an outsized impact on everyone she encountered, not least of all me. I loved (absolutely loved) managing middle school affairs with her. She was such a great companion as we together navigated our roles relating to the academic and social dimensions of middle school life. She was exemplary at modelling courageous and thoughtful behavior both for students and faculty (and parents and administrators!). As a friend, she challenged me and loved me in equally wonderful doses. I love Suzanne and I miss her very much. less
I knew Suzanne as a dear friend to my aunt Peggy and beloved mother (and best friend) to my sweet Brittany. She is one of the most loved and respected AGS teachers, and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing, learning from, and laughing with her is... moreI knew Suzanne as a dear friend to my aunt Peggy and beloved mother (and best friend) to my sweet Brittany. She is one of the most loved and respected AGS teachers, and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing, learning from, and laughing with her is better for it. She is deeply, deeply missed. less
Sitting down to write this I have so much to say but I'm having trouble where to start...I had Ms. Coleman for 8th grade science, and she was also the 8th grade head teacher. I guess I'll first start by saying that Ms. Coleman was hilarious. I remember... moreSitting down to write this I have so much to say but I'm having trouble where to start...I had Ms. Coleman for 8th grade science, and she was also the 8th grade head teacher. I guess I'll first start by saying that Ms. Coleman was hilarious. I remember on one of the first days of class a girl was talking when she wasn't supposed to be and Ms. Coleman came up behind her with a rolled up piece of paper and whacked her, then innocently said, "There was a bug!" She was sarcastic, quippy, and never failed to make us laugh. Our 8th grade class had a special bond with her, and we had a group inside joke where she would say "Mental high five!" and she and the whole class would kind of nod our heads forward and give kind of an "Uh!" grunt as receipt of the mental high five. I always loved that.
Ms. Coleman was also incredibly warm and loving, and cared about her students so much. When I was a senior in 2013, I practiced my senior speech in Ms. Hasty's office, as she was my English teacher and senior speech advisor. Ms. Coleman happened to be there, so she sat and listened to the speech. I was struck when the speech brought tears to her eyes, and she hugged me. Years later at the AGS auction in 2018, I saw her there and recounted this event to her. She told me, "I don't remember what the speech was about, but I remember how it made me feel."
Ms. Coleman loved her students. She loved them with her whole heart and we felt that love entirely. We loved her too. I miss her. Thank you Ms. Coleman, for being not just an educator, but a mentor, a mother, and a friend to all of your students. less
I may not have had many personal
Interactions with Ms. Coleman, but whenever she spoke on stage at our assemblies, the energy and passion she had not only for the students, but for AGS as a whole, struck me and has stayed with me even now. She cared so... moreI may not have had many personal
Interactions with Ms. Coleman, but whenever she spoke on stage at our assemblies, the energy and passion she had not only for the students, but for AGS as a whole, struck me and has stayed with me even now. She cared so much, and that love, which sometimes brought her to tears, has left a lasting impact on so many people, including me.
- Cyrenity Augustin less
Suzanne was my best friend, and either this is pages long or very short. There's too much to say. She was a teaching rock star, a faithful colleague, and a stalwart friend. She was fierce about taking care of her students. She made life better for... moreSuzanne was my best friend, and either this is pages long or very short. There's too much to say. She was a teaching rock star, a faithful colleague, and a stalwart friend. She was fierce about taking care of her students. She made life better for many, many people. She brought humor and thoughtfulness to everything she did. There was no one I enjoyed being with more. I love you, dear friend. less
I will always remember how Ms. Coleman was like a mother to us all. When I started 6th grade, she always treated me and spoke to me like an adult. She would always spend extra time with students who had trouble, and her classroom was always a place to... moreI will always remember how Ms. Coleman was like a mother to us all. When I started 6th grade, she always treated me and spoke to me like an adult. She would always spend extra time with students who had trouble, and her classroom was always a place to come and talk. She helped make me the STEM minded person I am today. less
I’ll always remember the time when I would rush over to AGS to pick up the girls from Smart Girls Camp and even when I was late you would tell me to sit down and take a breather. We would sit and chat about anything and laugh. My best memory was when... moreI’ll always remember the time when I would rush over to AGS to pick up the girls from Smart Girls Camp and even when I was late you would tell me to sit down and take a breather. We would sit and chat about anything and laugh. My best memory was when we went out to dinner and you talked about your amazing children. less
Suzanne was a compass and a mirror to so many. She helped me be in awe of what I was capable of and also helped me see how I could do better... always both. And, always with a bright, mischievous smile. I miss her voice, her smile and her presence.
I will always remember Suzanne's bright smile, infectious laugh, sardonic wit, and big heart. She made even the most mundane tasks funny and fun. She would show up, pitch in, and make things happen. How many times have we pulled off the impossible at the... moreI will always remember Suzanne's bright smile, infectious laugh, sardonic wit, and big heart. She made even the most mundane tasks funny and fun. She would show up, pitch in, and make things happen. How many times have we pulled off the impossible at the last minute. In any emergency, I would want Suzanne by my side. Suzanne, I miss you, your encouragement, your energy, your spirit. I will try to enjoy each day a little more in tribute to you, dear friend. less
Suzanne's spirit and dedication will live on in the halls of AGS. Her classroom was my favorite place to stop whenever I hosted anyone on campus. She touched so many lives.
Ms. Coleman was the first teacher to tell me to question science. Never take anything as fact without digging deeper, exploring the what-ifs, and looking outside of the box. I will always remember her as an incredibly passionate and intelligent woman.
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