Kate Cole possess all of that, and more important, she has mastered the art of channeling her love and passion into educating students and motivating teachers.

And it’s just that type of dedication, and leadership, that Cole has brought to the Natchez public schools.

So it’s no surprise to anyone whose path has been touched by Cole that she was named the district’s administrator of the year recently.

It’s a well-deserved honor.

In more than 18 years as a principal in the Natchez public schools, Cole has influenced the lives of thousands of young people — and their families.

She has earned a reputation for fairness, honesty and compassion — as well as high standards and lofty expectations for her students and staff members

More important, she has a knack for helping those students and staff members reach those lofty goals.

She is well-respected among her peers, and among the faculty who work with her. She has built a “family” of teachers and support staff at West Primary whose commitment to their preschool through first-grade students is unparalleled.

Her success is found most easily in her students — the youngest of all who approach their education with a solid foundation and an eagerness to learn.

We salute Kate Cole and congratulate her on the well-deserved honor of being named administrator of the year.