Northwest Mississippi Community College

« Back to Recent News

For over 20 years, Northwest Adult Education Instructors Continue to Instill Hope and Education in their Community

by Sarah Ashley Smith-Hutchinson

Bruce, Miss. (09/17/2026) — Northwest Mississippi Community College instructors Ada Armstrong of Calhoun City and Mary Cole of Calhoun City have worked at Northwest Adult Education for over 20 years and Margaret Mays of Pittsburg has volunteered for many years in Bruce helping educate their community and empowered students with more than just their education.

They have aided students with everything from helping students find transportation to tests and more. These women have tirelessly worked to provide for their students and in their years at Northwest alone have served over 200 students. Prior to these educators, time at Northwest, they served as high school and middle school teachers, which helped equip them for a career with adult learners.

Armstrong said that when she went through college they used to not teach people how to teach, rather, but what to teach. She learned teaching by watching other teachers, some of which she said mentored and taught her along the way. One of those lessons was to instill students with four simple words: you can do it.

"I made a picture of every student," Armstrong said, with the wall of students smiling faces showcasing their success. "They needed someone who could say four little words: you can do it."

Students often somewhere along the way were convinced that they couldn't accomplish their education or work through it, but Armstrong said she knew if you gave a person enough hope in themselves they could, even if it was hard, or even if they were disadvantaged, find the hope and will to do better.

They said they saw this most of all with a student, aptly named, Hope. Due to life circumstances, Hope had left school in the fourth grade to take care of her ailing mother. After her mother's passing, her father also fell ill. It would take years before she would re-enter the education system when she found her way into the Bruce Adult Education building. Despite challenge after challenge, Hope didn't give up.

Mays said that Hope came in the most shy and quiet, even jumpy, girl, who blossomed into a confident and happy young woman. It took 3 times before she passed her GED exams, but she refused to relinquish the belief that she could get it. They said that they felt like she was a great example of a student who makes teaching worth it. It took her 4-6 years to get through all the coursework, but they found that she was always dedicated even in the face of failure.

Drawing together their resources, they said they have worked to help provide food, water and a safe place for the students to learn. Cole emphasized that so many students give up so much to be able to attend classes such as time at their jobs which they need, and time with their families. Many people depend on the education provided by these educators in order for the population to be educated for workforce.

Mays, Cole and Armstrong hope to continue this legacy for as long as possible, providing not only their community an essential resource, but their community a building block of hope as they try to live Northwest's mission of enriching their communities.

To learn more about Northwest Adult Ed, please visit, https://www.northwestms.edu/programs/adult-education.

Media Attachments

(L-R) Margaret Mays, Mary Cole, and Ada Armstrong at the Bruce Adult Education building. Photo by Sarah Smith-Hutchinson

Copyright © 2026 Merit Pages, Inc. • All Rights Reserved. • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy • Opt Out