Nadene's Journey
In 1970, as America renewed its commitment to special education, a divorced mother's quest for financial stability led to an unexpected calling. Over the next two decades, Nadene helped hundreds of students overcome learning challenges in the Oklahoma Panhandle, earning both Teacher of the Year and Special Education Teacher of the Year awards.
This groundbreaking biography weaves together Nadene's personal narratives—captured through 500 video-recorded questions and answers—using innovative AI technology. Readers witness the transformation of American special education through her eyes, from the early days of reading labs to the implementation of revolutionary federal mandates in the 1970s.
Beyond the classroom, Nadene's story reveals her talent for reinvention. She became a founding member of the Guymon Community Theater, winning Best Actress, and found unexpected romance in her fifties. Her journey from an Arkansas farm through 90 years of American history offers unique insights into how one teacher helped shape special education in rural Oklahoma.
Discover how determination and adaptability transformed both countless young lives and Nadene herself in this remarkable blend of personal triumph and educational history.
Turning Challenges into Triumphs in Life and in Special Education
About Nadene
Background
Audrey Nadene Poteete was born December 18, 1934, in Central Arkansas to Jeff and Margrete Poteete. Growing up on a family farm with two sisters during the Great Depression and World War II, she developed both resilience and resourcefulness. Her early education took place in small-town Arkansas schools, where she excelled academically and discovered her love for theater and literature.
Following her family's move to Oklahoma in 1950, Nadene graduated with honors from Beaver High School in 1952. She attended Panhandle Agricultural and Mechanical College, but her education was temporarily interrupted by marriage and the birth of her daughter, Dena, in 1955.
Nadene completed her Bachelor's degree in Education in 1968 and began teaching in Norman, Oklahoma. Her career flourished as she earned multiple certifications and a Master's degree in Special Education from Oklahoma State University in 1976. She went on to serve as a psychometrist, reading specialist, and special education teacher, primarily in the Guymon, Oklahoma school district.
Throughout her 23-year teaching career, Nadene earned recognition including Teacher of the Year at Academy School and Special Education Teacher of the Year for Texas County. She was also an active member of the Guymon Community Theater from 1979-1988, where she won Best Actress for her role in "Girls of the Garden Club."
In 1989, she married Tim Evins, beginning a 32-year marriage that brought together their extended families. After retiring from teaching in 1991, Nadene remained active in community service, including leadership roles in the Ardmore Hospital Auxiliary.
Mother to one daughter, grandmother to ten, and great-grandmother to multiple great-grandchildren, Nadene has been a cornerstone of family support and wisdom. Her professional legacy includes pioneering work implementing special education programs following landmark legislation of the 1970s.
Currently residing in Oklahoma City, Nadene continues to share her stories and wisdom with family and friends as she approaches her 90th birthday. Her life exemplifies dedication to education, family, and community service, marking her as a notable figure in Oklahoma's educational history.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (1968)
Master's Degree in Special Education, Oklahoma State University (1976)
Multiple Special Education Certifications (1972-1976)
Career Highlights:
Norman Public Schools Teacher (1968-1970)
Guymon Schools Reading Lab Director (1970-1972)
Panhandle Education Service Center Representative (1974-1977)
Special Education Teacher, Guymon Schools (1977-1991)
Awards and Recognition:
Teacher of the Year, Academy School
Special Education Teacher of the Year, Texas County
Best Actress, Guymon Community Theater (1987-1988)
About the Author
As Nadene's step-grandson, Galen Manning spent months recording and documenting her life through extensive interviews. His approach merges traditional biographical research with generative AI to craft a narrative that weaves Nadene's stories together.
