Wycla Bratton, Dean at KIPP Corazón Academy and published author, has dedicated his life to inspiring students by drawing on his own experiences and resilience. Wycla’s story is one of accomplishment, perseverance, and a deep commitment to nurturing the next generation.
Growing up in Kansas City, Wycla faced numerous challenges. Yet, these experiences shaped his purpose and led him to become an educator who deeply understands the importance of connection and care. Reflecting on his early years, Wycla shares, “With everything I had experienced as a kid, I wanted attention—I wanted somebody to see me.”
In his early teens, Wycla moved to South Los Angeles with his father. While attending Bethune Middle School, Wycla’s life took a transformative turn thanks to Mr. John Do, a teacher whose genuine care for students left a lasting impact. Mr. Do’s teaching went beyond academics—he saw his students as individuals, showing them empathy and understanding. This approach resonated with Wycla, who recalls, “I didn’t care to be in any other space as much as I cared about being in his class because he cared about us as people, and that really did a lot for me.”
Mr. Do's support and encouragement ultimately inspired Wycla to pursue a career in education. A heartfelt note from Mr. Do on Wycla's graduation day, suggesting he consider becoming a teacher, stuck with him. Today, as the Dean at KIPP Corazón, Wycla embodies the same love, care, and dedication that once guided him.
Wycla sees his journey to KIPP Corazón as part of his life’s purpose. “When I got the job, some stuff was happening in my personal life. I just needed love and ended up at a school named ‘Love,’” he shared. “One thing that’s been constant in my experience at KIPP Corazón is just that constant presence of love—people have love with the kids, and people have love with each other.”
Drawing from his own middle school experiences, Wycla’s teaching philosophy centers on building genuine connections and showing unconditional love and patience. His goal is to give students the grace to learn from their mistakes without judgment, demonstrating that he will never give up on them.
In addition to his role as an educator, Wycla is also a talented writer and published author. His first book, Somersaults on Mattresses, reflects on his experiences growing up in a challenging environment. Inspired by Sandra Cisneros’ House on Mango Street, Wycla explores themes of resilience, community, and finding beauty in hardship. He describes his perspective on life in a vivid metaphor: “If somebody threw a mattress away and left it by the dumpster, we didn't see that as trash. We saw that as a trampoline; we were about to go in and have fun.”
Wycla’s second book, Psych Mike Says, follows one of the characters from his first novel and touches on themes of addiction, recovery, grace, and faith. Dedicated to his late grandfather, who was a major influence on Wycla’s compassionate heart, the book honors the importance of resilience and forgiveness.
Through his work as both an educator and author, Wycla continues to make a profound impact on the lives of his students. His journey from a challenging upbringing to a role of leadership and influence is a powerful reminder of how love, empathy, and perseverance can change the course of a life—and inspire the next generation to dream big.
If you’re ready to make a lasting impact, just like Wycla, and help shape the future of education, explore career opportunities at kippsocal.org/careers.