Professor Coleman received her B.A. in mathematics in December 1967 and began teaching at the junior high school level. After a year and a half, she moved to the high school level. She taught all topics of high school mathematics, including every level of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, pre-calculus, and AP calculus. She received her M.A.T. in December 1972. Since teaching at Winthrop, beginning in 1986, she has taught introductory mathematics courses, first-level and business calculus, and mathematics for elementary teacher preparation.
Coleman is a native of Rock Hill, and she raised her two children in the same hometown.