I’ve dragged my feet writing this article because, quite frankly, words are hard to find for this one.
Have you ever met a person who instantly became your friend? Someone you knew you could call on at any time? Someone who fixed your mistakes, reminded you of deadlines, checked on you and somehow just made life better?
That’s who Cathy Mitchell has been for me.
When I began my career in the newspaper business in 2014, Cathy was one of the first people I met. When I took a break from the newspaper business, Cathy stayed in contact. When I came back, she was just as happy to see me again as I was her.
I’ll never forget the days leading up to moving my daughter, Taylor, to Auburn. Cathy called and told me, “When you drop her off, it’s okay to cry. Make sure you give yourself enough time to stop on the way back home.”
Throughout move-in day, Cathy reached out and checked on me. She continued all day until I returned home to Scottsboro that evening.
Her soul is one of a kind.
When our community hears “Impact Learning Center,” Cathy’s face is what many of us picture.
That big smile and cheerful voice immediately flood our minds.Cathy has served as Impact’s director since 2014.
She began her career with Impact in 2002 as the part-time video conferencing network coordinator.
Over the years, she has overseen the creation and implementation of several of the programs and services still used today. Some of those include programs such as Skills on Wheels, CEO Expo, computer classes, job fairs, and resume building programs that have quietly but powerfully strengthened Jackson County through education, workforce development, and opportunity.
Cathy was born and raised in Scottsboro, where she continues to live with her husband Mike (“Beans”). She has a daughter, Sara; a son-in-law, Chase; and two beautiful grandsons, Asher and Logan. She loves to read, explore new ideas, and spend time with her twin grandbabies. She also loves assisting individuals with their career and educational goals.
If you know Cathy, you know this too – she doesn’t want to make a fuss about herself. She rarely, if ever, gives herself credit where it’s due. She works extremely hard, and she does it because she genuinely cares.
As Cathy steps into retirement, it’s hard to imagine Impact without her steady presence. For more than two decades, she helped shape what Impact is today, and for an entire generation of Jackson County residents, her leadership has been the heartbeat behind the mission.
Cathy leaves big shoes to fill and an even bigger example to follow.
With Cathy’s retirement, Impact begins a new chapter, welcoming a new director, Amanda Crawford Sparks.
A familiar face with deep local ties, Sparks is stepping into leadership at Impact Learning Center and says her goal is simple: honor what has already been built and expand it to reach even more people across Jackson County.
Sparks comes to Impact with a background that blends business management, marketing and community involvement.
Most recently, she served at the Hollywood 10 Cinema, first as general manager from 2019 to 2022, and then as CEO and marketing director from 2023 until her departure in 2025.
Before that, she worked in insurance and sales, building a foundation in customer service and communication.
“I want to continue what Cathy has done,” Sparks said. “She has created such a strong stage here that all you can really do is go up.
All you can do is add to it.”
She credits Mitchell with establishing Impact as a trusted, stable force in workforce development, education support and community outreach.
“When you think of Impact, you think of Cathy,” she said. “She has always been Impact. I’ve admired her work for years through the chamber, United Givers Fund and many different projects. I don’t want to replace that. I want to build on it.”
One of her early focuses has been strengthening Impact’s presence on social media, particularly Facebook, to better reach younger residents and families.
“There is a certain age group you can reach more effectively through social media,” she explained. “So that’s something I’ve already started working on.”
Sparks was also quick to emphasize that technology will never replace traditional outreach.“I believe print is still extremely important,” she said.
“There is nothing like holding something in your hand, a flyer, a letter, a book. Not everything needs to be online. We need both.”
She believes the future of Impact lies in a balance of in-person services, printed materials, and digital tools that work together to reach every age group.
Another major goal is increasing awareness about the full range of services Impact provides.
“A lot of people don’t realize everything Impact offers,” she said. “They may think of jobs or schools, but we can help with job searches, training, classes at Northeast, and so much more. There are opportunities here that I think sometimes get overlooked.”
Sparks wants Impact to be one of the first resources people think of when they are seeking employment help, education pathways, or skill development.
Sparks said one of the strongest influences in her decision to take the role was Impact’s involvement with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which provides free books to children from birth to age five.
“I’m a huge Dolly Parton fan,” she said with a smile. “But beyond that, what she’s done for children, families and communities is incredible.
That’s the kind of impact I want to have.”
She added, “I may never give away millions of dollars, but I want to make that kind of difference here. I want to be Jackson County’s own Dolly Parton in spirit in service, generosity and love for community.”
Although Sparks currently resides in Guntersville, she says Jackson County has always been home. She is a 1998 graduate of Pisgah High School and earned her associate degree from Northeast Alabama Community College, returning to school at age 42.
“I wanted to show my daughters, and other women, that you don’t stop,” she said. “You don’t stop growing. You don’t stop learning.”
She and her husband, Josh, were married in October 2025 at the Hollywood 10 Theatre. Sparks has two daughters, Elizabeth, age 25, who works at the Jackson County Clerk’s Office, and Emma, age 16, a student at Section High School, along with a stepson, Lucas.
Her community involvement includes service on the United Givers Fund Board of Directors and past leadership with the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce.
“My goal has always been to make Jackson County a place people want to stay,” she said. “A place my kids want to build their lives, and one day, where my grandchildren can grow up.”
She says her first few months will focus on learning Impact’s daily operations, understanding the programs already in place and working closely with the board of directors to shape priorities.
“I’m still getting my footing,” she said. “I’m learning what all has gone into building this organization.
Cathy has put in an unbelievable amount of work, and I want to respect that.”
Looking ahead, she hopes to broaden Impact’s reach, increase visibility and ensure residents across the county understand the opportunities available to them.
“I just want to help make sure we are reaching as many people as possible,” she said. “Because the more people we reach, the stronger Jackson County becomes.”
As Cathy Mitchell steps away from day-to-day leadership, she does not leave Impact empty-handed. She leaves it strong. She leaves it respected. She leaves it rooted deeply in the community she loves.
And now, Impact moves forward under new leadership shaped by many of the same values Cathy lives out; service, compassion and a deep belief in the potential of Jackson County.
One chapter closes and another begins, but the heart of Impact remains the same.
It remains in every life that has been redirected, every student who found a path, every worker who found opportunity and every family who found support. Cathy built a foundation that will continue to carry Impact forward, and now a new director steps into that foundation with a commitment not to replace it, but to build upon it.
Legacy and future. Gratitude and growth.
And through both, Impact continues.
by Heather Dohring
