BY JIMMY SHOCKLEY, Eastern Shore Post —
Back in 1985, a newly minted college graduate began teaching third grade at the school now known as Pungoteague Elementary School.
Now, in 2025, she’s concluding her service as a fondly remembered educator.
Mae Gray of Pungoteague Elementary is retiring after 40 years of teaching the children of southern Accomack County.
“It’s time for me to go on, sit down, and rest myself,” she said.
Gray, 61, attended Pungoteague Elementary — then called South Accomack Elementary School — as a child. It’s where she met the late Edna Sample, who quickly became one of her idols.
Gray revered Sample for her commitment to students. Sample often worked long hours to give back and help children from the Eastern Shore.
Gray decided she wanted to be just like Sample.
After she graduated from college, Gray took a job at Pungoteague Elementary.
Gray, just 21 years old, met Ida Nedab, whom she credits with helping her find her footing.
In her time at Pungoteague, Gray has taught third grade through fifth grade — the majority in fifth grade.
By her own estimation, she says that about 1,700 students have been in her classes.
They remember her fondly. Gray said she has had some of her former students tell her not to retire.
“Don’t go yet — I want you to teach my kids,” Gray said they tell her.
Gray has experienced teaching the children of her former students multiple times, including this school year.
Gray said she wouldn’t have been able to accomplish this much and stay this long without the help of the Pungoteague Elementary family.
She admitted she isn’t technologically savvy, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as a time she wouldn’t have been able to get through without help from her coworkers.
Gray said her newfound experience using tools like Zoom has allowed her to teach fifth grade children from Tangier Island — she frequently holds class meetings with them.
Gray has seen a lot of changes in her time as an educator.
One thing that has held constant for her 40-year tenure is her favorite part of teaching.
“I like when you can see in the students that you’re making a difference. I figure I must be doing something right,” she said.
RETIREES: Accomack County Public Schools’ retirees this year include George Henry, Mary Jean Pruitt, Cathy Jo Mason, Read Bridges, Louis Bornes, Gwen Dorn, Donna Parks, Sister Reese, Dawn Pollock, Karen Reid, Mae Gray, Marge Rosati, Paul Brabazon, Roberta Miles, Valestine Northam, Blanford Peringer, Elaine Fletcher, Ellie Payne, and Alma Warner Rivers.
