Date:2/15/00     Brady man overcomes learning disability,
returns to college at age 41 for doctorate

Imagine reaching your 40s when your kids have left the nest in search of the "wild blue yonder" (also known as college) and life as we all hope becomes a little less complicated and more laid back.

For most of us, that's a dream we look forward to and can't wait to achieve. But what if your dream was to attend college with your children?

That's not the actual dream that R.A. Evans had in mind, but continuing his education was and what better time than with your children; after all, it saves on room and board.

Evans has recently been accepted to pursue a doctorate at Texas A&M in educational psychology with emphasis on special education.

Born and reared in Brady and currently working at Brady Middle School as a special education teacher, Evans brings new meaning to the "special" in education.

Evans' journey to success, due in large part to his continued education, didn't come cheap. It's the long, hard fought battle that he remembers most.

Faced with a learning disability, Evans gave up his high school education in 1977, dropping out during his junior year.

When the subject of dyslexia was introduced to his family, the concept was merely overlooked and ignored.

"In those days kids were either normal or mentally challenged," said Evans. "There was no middle."

Living the majority of his life feeling that something was wrong or perhaps missing in his train of thought, Evans wouldn't realize the culprit of his problem until 1984.

"I was filling out a job application and it just struck me—I have a reading and writing problem," Evans explained.

After he had achieved his GED and was in full pursuit of a college education, Evans learned through a test in 1992 that he indeed had a learning disability.

While realizing that reading and writing didn't come quite as easilyfor him as for others, he worked a great deal with the Tom Green County Adult Literacy Council and the Texas Rehabilitation in his battle to conquer his inabilities.

Finding God was also a big accomplishment for Evans. He had previously lived a life devoted to drugs and alcohol and had no direction in which to follow with his life.

"God was a big part of my life's decisions," he said. "The Lord opened a lot of doors for me and my eyes as well. Most of my accomplishments today came from me knowing my strengths and weaknesses. For me, because I have a learning disability, I try to avoid things that cause me difficulty while I try to put more emphasis on things that I can do and accomplish."

Creating paths around his disability, Evans taught himself to memorize words by sight and definition. The problem surfaces when he has to place the two together. He could comprehend at a much higher level than he could read and write—hence the learning disability.

The administration at Brady Independent School District saw the benefits and the necessity in acquiring a teacher with "up-front" knowledge of special education.

"I was intimidated at first," he said. "All I could ask myself was how would a school handle a teacher with a reading and writing disability. I often get tongue twisted and while knowing the meaning of words, I sometimes misplace them in context."

It was clear to BISD—who better to teach special education than someone who has experienced and can relate to the trials and tribulations of mentally challenged students than someone with first-hand knowledge. He is in every sense, the perfect candidate for the job.

"The kids faced with disabilities need to know that there is hope. By the time that I get them at junior high, they've already given up. It's easy to do. I told myself time and time again—I'm stupid. I just can't do it.

"It was hard convincing myself that I couldn't use that as a cop out. You just have to take an alternate route.

"The number one thing is making sure that the students are successful. Once that self esteem surfaces, we can work miracles. Sharp minds can come in all types of packages. Some may be dull around the edges but still just as good and beneficial as the sharpest one."

Through a scholarship made possible by the Texas Rehabilitation Commission, Evans has earned his undergraduate and masters degree from Angelo State University. He obtained certifications in math and science which allow him to teach from elementary grade levels through junior high and a special education certificate that allows him to teach in all grade levels.

He has a mid-management certificate which will someday enable him to be a principal, if the desire arises, and he needs six hours to achieve his certification as a reading specialist. That distinction will allow him to teach reading at all grade levels.

Evans expresses to students that no matter what their disability, through hard work, dedication and a genuine desire to succeed, everyone can accomplish the goals they set for themselves.

Evans maintains a web page (raevans.com) on learning disabilities entitled "Through the Eyes of the Learning Disabled Child." The web page provides students with a better understanding of the complications as well as successes that go hand-in-hand with learning disabilities.

With the help of his wife, Arlene, and two sons, Chris, who attends ASU, and Ray, a prospective salutatorian candidate for the 2000 BHS graduating class and possible Texas A&M student, Evans will set forth on a new journey in life.

While attending college he plans to aid the research department with his experiences with learning disabilities.

He has hurdled all of the obstacles that his disability has placed before him. As far as any future complications and problems linked to his disability, he plans to conquer each, one at a time—but divide and conquer he will.