Mrs. Donna M. Coleman, favorably known as one of the prominent teachers of Shasta County, California, is a native of Delaware County, New York. She was educated in that State and began her career as a teacher in the city of Syracuse, where she taught successfully for five years. She came to California in 1856, and nearly all the time since has been engaged in her favorite pursuit, for which she has proved herself so eminently fitted. In 1875 she was elected County Superintendent of Schools, on the Republican ticket, and served in that capacity for eleven years. It was during her administration that the system of graded schools was introduced, which has proved so beneficial and has made the schools of Shasta County compare favorably with any in the State. She is now (1890) the Principal of the Shasta schools and President of the Board of Education of the county. She is noted for her quiet, orderly and efficient school work.

Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891 Page 624
Transcribed by: Bonnie Phelan