Mother of three wants to be role model for daughtersJune 08, 2023

Adult life started early for Kayla Avera.  She graduated from Lee High School (now Legacy High School) in 2006, married her husband Jason in 2007 and had her first daughter Kaitlynn shortly thereafter.  Five years later, her second daughter Rebecca was born, and in 2016, the family welcomed a third daughter Megan.

“There wasn’t any time for going to college after I graduated from high school,” Avera explained.  “Thankfully, I was able to stay at home with the girls when they were little.  It was important to me to be able to do that.  However, now that Megan is in school, it’s time for me to fulfill my dream of a career.  Also, my husband persuaded me to go to college so that I could get a job in case something happened to him.  In addition, I want to be a role model for my daughters.  It’s important that they know that higher education, a career and being a mother are all things they can accomplish.”

Avera began taking classes at Midland College in fall 2022.  

“I never thought I’d go back to school after I graduated from high school,” she said.  “I was an average high school student, making Bs and Cs.  Going back to school after all those years was a little daunting at first, but the instructors immediately put me at ease.  While at the age of 35, I am one of the oldest students in my classes, it is comforting to know that there are a few other students my age and even older.  So far, I’ve made A’s and Bs in my college courses.”

Avera is working toward an Associate of Applied Science degree in Business Management and wants to eventually start a career in Human Resources.  

“I really enjoy helping people and working with people, and I also enjoy solving problems and communicating,” Avera stated.  “In fact one of my favorite Midland College classes so far has been English with Dr. [William Christopher] Brown.  I’ve enjoyed the writing assignments, and I’ve become a  better writer.  However, it’s not just the writing that made me like the class; Dr. Brown also encouraged us to use critical thinking skills in preparing and accomplishing our assignments.”

Avera said that so far, her class schedule has worked out well with her family life.  

“I am able to get the girls off to school in the morning and then I head to Midland College for classes,” she said.  “I’m finished with classes by the time the girls get out of school.”

While some adult students who have family responsibilities prefer to take online courses, Avera said that traditional, in-person classes fit better with her learning style, and she enjoys the interaction with the professors and other students.

Avera and her family live in Stanton.  She and Jason ride motorcycles.  Some of their favorite motorcycle trips have been to Tennessee, Georgia and San Antonio.  Their favorite place is the Texas Hill Country around the Kerrville area.  Avera said that another family pastime is softball.  All three of her daughters play in the Midland United Girls Softball (MUGS) league.  The family also enjoys life at home, especially on family movie night. (Kayla said her favorite movie of all time is Scream.) Four-legged family members include two Pit Bulls named Loki and Zena and a miniature Schnauzer named Lucy.