Gayla McKnight holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M-Commerce and a Certificate of Learning Therapy (Dyslexia Remediation) and Master of Education from Southern Methodist University, Dallas. She is certified by the state of Texas in elementary education (grades 1-8), is a Certified Academic Language Therapist and a Texas Licensed Dyslexia Therapist. She retired from public education in 2015 after 23 years. She joined The Brook Hill Lower School in 2016 as Academic Intervention Specialist.

She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, cooking, scrapbooking and camping. She also serves as a mentor mom for Mothers of Preschoolers at her church, Flint Baptist Church, where she and her husband are active members.