Walking into math teacher Billy Gay Davis’ classroom instantly feels like home for most, if not all, of her students. Adding some insight into her life, her walls are filled with many pictures she has taken from places she has gone, from the Grand Tetons to her own dog playing in the yard. Judging by her kind and caring personality, along with her southern hospitality, one would think she is a native Texan. However, she was born and raised in Crossett, Arkansas. Though she has only lived in Orange for seven years, she fits right in and now calls it her home.

Upon moving from Arkansas, Davis had to adapt to a few changes, but she was mostly surprised by the fact that Orange had the small town feeling that her family enjoys.

“The people in Orange like to hug… A LOT,” Davis said. “Now we just join in on the hugs. Hugs for everyone. One of the main differences between Orange and Crossett is that in Crossett, we just THOUGHT it was humid. Down here in Orange, we KNOW how humid it is.”

Davis said she was nervous, yet excited about moving to Texas because she had never lived anywhere except Crossett.

“Moving so far away from my family and friends was very scary,” Davis said. “We all go back to Arkansas every two or three months to visit our family and friends. While my mother still lives in Crossett, I wouldn’t go back. It was a good decision to move and we have made many new and fantastic friends here.”

When Davis is not teaching, she relishes in time with her husband and kids. In fact, she has taught all three of her children – Catherine, Becky, and Tanner, who is currently a sophomore.

“I thoroughly enjoy teaching my own children,” she said. “My mother taught my sister, brother and me so I tried to carry on the tradition. They were all different in class but like my mother, I expect more out of them than any other student. I don’t think I was their favorite teacher, though. That always seemed to be Jane Dunn.”

According to Davis, she loves teaching her Algebra II and Pre-Calculus classes and they’re two of her favorite subjects.

“I think it is more of a calling you feel than a profession that you choose,” she said. “I love my students and enjoy seeing them learn not just math skills but life skills. I feel our job as teachers is to teach our students life skills, along with educational skills. I have the opportunity to spend the day with the most wonderful kids. I always tell people how great my kids are and how much I enjoy teaching them. I truly feel like the most blessed person in the world.”