Her Story
About B.
Gale Neal, Ed.S., PhD, is an Associate Professor, Graduate Program Coordinator, and Teacher Leadership Program Director in the Division of Education at Thomas University. She coordinates a graduate program serving more than 400 students while teaching graduate-level courses to students across satellite locations throughout Georgia. Her students primarily pursue Teacher Leadership Education Specialist degrees, while others are enrolled in M.Ed. programs across content areas and grade levels or in Curriculum & Instruction and Educational Leadership programs. Her leadership and teaching are informed by a career in education that began in 1989 and includes 18 years as an elementary educator and teacher leader. Neal earned a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from the University of Florida in 1987, followed by a master's degree from Florida State University in 1989. She later earned an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Florida State University in 2009 and a PhD in Educational Leadership and Administration from the same institution in 2017. Before transitioning into full-time higher education, she taught fourth through sixth grades at several elementary schools in Florida. She subsequently spent eight years at Florida State University as a graduate assistant, graduate research assistant, teaching assistant, and instructor before joining Thomas University in 2016. Throughout her career, Neal has focused on teacher leadership, educational leadership, graduate education, and teacher development. Her work has included presenting for professional education associations and contributing to research on teacher leadership and school leadership opportunities. Her accomplishments have been recognized through honors including the 2024 Vulcan Materials Company Teaching Excellence Award and the 1993 Teacher of the Year award at Chaires Elementary School, as well as fellowships and scholarships during her graduate studies. Neal attributes her success to the values instilled in her through her upbringing—hard work and persistence—and approaches leadership collaboratively. She encourages the next generation of educators, particularly young women, to remain persistent and confident while grounding their careers in honesty, integrity, perseverance, hard work, and respect for others.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with B.
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my upbringing, which instilled in me the importance of working hard and remaining persistent. Those principles have guided me throughout my career and have helped me continue moving forward through challenges and opportunities alike.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to listen more than I speak. I believe that actively listening allows me to better understand others, learn from their experiences, and make more thoughtful and informed decisions.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering education and higher education is to be persistent and have confidence in themselves. Career growth takes perseverance, and believing in your abilities can help you navigate challenges and continue pursuing your goals.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges facing higher education today is enrollment. More people are questioning whether pursuing a college education is worth taking on significant student debt. This creates an important opportunity for higher education institutions to demonstrate the value of their programs, communicate outcomes clearly, and help prospective students understand how education can contribute to their professional and personal goals.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me are honesty, integrity, perseverance, and hard work. I also believe strongly in treating others the way I would like to be treated. These principles shape how I approach my work, leadership, relationships, and interactions with others.
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