Page 36 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2020- Online Magazine
P. 36
Gifted and Giving
GALE MOAK
by Laura James
he walks into the studio with earned a degree in
a bright smile and joyfully English and Theater
Sgreets everyone, while from Sam Houston
getting supplies ready to begin her State College and
painting. After one hour of the art began a 48-year
class, she puts down her brush and high school English
announces, “OK, I’m done. I have teaching career in
to go get ready for the underwater 1958 in Baytown.
treadmill.”
After that first still remembers the memory work.
This spunky artist goes by many school year, a young man named Excerpts from Chaucer in Middle
names – Gayle, Mrs. Moak, Mom, Thomas Moak asked her to be his English are eternally ingrained in
Nana. Each name holds different date to the Robert E. Lee football the minds of her students and often
memories, but each name tells the game. Eight months later, Gayle and can be recalled at a moment’s notice.
story of the same creative soul Tom married, and two years after Mrs. Moak still loves to recite these
whose life has influenced many that, they started their family. They plays and poems herself!
people! had two kids – my brother, Bob, and
me. Their 49-year marriage was an Many of Mrs. Moak’s former
Gayle was born in Mt. Pleasant, incredible example of adoration, students have stayed in touch
Texas in 1936, to Margaret and friendship, trust, respect, and Christ- throughout the years and have
Edward Knight – the oldest of three filled love. taken time to visit her – even after
kids. At four years of age, Gayle’s she moved to Lubbock in 2008. Mrs.
family moved to Houston, where As a teacher, Gayle carried these Moak has been chosen by students
she eventually graduated from same qualities into her classroom. for the Golden Apple Award more
Jefferson Davis High School. Gayle She loved her students and they than once and has been the subject
loved her! of many college papers written by
former students. Students have
Mrs. Moak knew how to connect written songs about her, had the
with her students both in and out name “Moak” permanently tattooed
of the classroom. Throughout her on their arm, and spent the night
long career, students would stop by at her house while passing through
the house in the evening to receive Lubbock. There’s even an “I Love
help on a paper or just to visit. She Mrs. Moak” fan page on Facebook.
loved teaching her students to be The last 28 years of her teaching
creative and to appreciate literature, career were spent at Midway
plays, and poetry. Shakespeare and High School in Waco. One of her
Chaucer were among her favorites, granddaughters, Avery James,
and everyone who took her classes recently began graduate school at
36 Lubbock Senior Link
