Montegut Middle School teacher continues to inspire others

Late in the afternoon, when most teachers are feeling exhausted from repeating the same lesson and struggling to keep students’ attention, Gayle Moore-Westley seems like she’s moving faster and has more energy than the law of science allows.

Promptly at 1:40 p.m., her students enter her class, pull out their geography folders and begin the day’s routine. As the 23 Montegut Middle School eighth graders work quietly, Westley prepares for her lesson.

One last glimpse around the room, a deep breath and the announcement is made, “All right class, let’s begin.”

With 33 years’ experience at Montegut Middle, Westley knows she will have to dig deep to adapt her teaching style to reach the class.

The social studies/history/geography teacher regularly attends enrichment courses to heighten her skills as an educator and an inspirer of students.

Recently named Terrebonne Parish’s Inspirational teacher of the year, Westley is the first to admit she’s come a long way since her first year at Montegut Middle.

Her mentor, Charlie Audirsch, who has long since retired, was her inspiration. Westley said her first lesson was learning how to cultivate the students’ interest and keep them focused.

“Charlie knew the right things to say and do to capture the students and hold their attention, and I wanted to learn that so badly,” she said.

The lesson has stuck, even today. Westley has a reputation for making eighth grade Louisiana history fun.

“Ms. Westley is cool because she is so energetic. She constantly bounces around class,” said student Tyler Hatcher.

The eighth grader credits Westley with being his best history teacher to date. “I’ve always loved social studies,” he said. “And now I get good grades and a good teacher.”

Classmate Kia Fleming agrees. “I appreciate Ms. Westley because she always takes the time to help prepare for our test. She doesn’t make us feel like we are going to fail. She always gives us hope,” Fleming said.

Montegut’s Assistant Principal Debra Allemand goes one step farther, saying Westley is not only a great influence to the students, but an inspiration to the faculty and staff.

So where does her drive come from? Wesley attributes her spiritedness to her grandfather, Abram Moore.

“My grandfather recognized the importance of an education, although he didn’t have a formal education,” she said.

“It was his way of giving back. This is my way of giving back, teaching the students to focus on pride and appreciation of their heritage and the heritage of others,” she added.

Westley’s grandfather was the president of the Terrebonne Colored Public School club in the mid-1930s. She said the group raised money to purchase land for the first African-American elementary school in the parish, Southside Elementary School.

Southside Elementary stood on Barrow Street where the Houma Fire Department is now located.

“My grandfather and the other club members work diligently to make the dreams of a school to educate our African-American culture a reality,” Westley said.

She said her parents taught her how to set her goals high. “They taught me that I had the basic rights as any human being, and that every child deserved a future where dreams can become a reality,” she said.

Born in St. James Parish and raised in Houma, Westley is a 1969 graduate of Vandebilt Catholic High School. “I realized my true potential early on in life through my parents’ guidance and nurturing,” she said.

Westley’s first semester of college in the summer of 1969 was spent at Oxford University in England. “That experience was awesome,” she said. “The environment and class atmosphere was different from the United States. It was more liberal.”

At Oxford, Westley began her studies in literature and history. Once she returned to the states, she began her collegiate career at Xavier University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in secondary education with a concentration in history.

Westley returned home to attend Nicholls State University’s graduate studies program.

“I recognize the value of every child that I come in contact with. And I believe in the positive impact teaching has on a child,” Westley said at the close of her school day.

It was that belief that she could nurture and mold youngsters’ minds for the better that attracted Westley to teaching. And knowing over the last 33 years she has made a difference keeps her inspired.

Montegut Middle School social studies teacher Gayle Moore-Westley helps Kayla Himel prepare her critical thinking assignment at the beginning of class last Friday. Westley was honored as the parish’s Inspirational Teacher of the Year at the annual Terrebonne Foundation for Academic Excellence’s banquet on Aug. 24. * Photo by SOPHIA RUFFIN