From Doubt to Dedication: The Real Story of a Kindergarten Teacher Who Found Her Calling 💡

Kikori Team
Oct 7
3 min read

Welcome to the world of teaching through the inspiring story of Chyna Bratcher, a passionate kindergarten teacher who has turned challenges into a journey of growth, resilience, and heart. 💖✨

In a recent episode of the Getting Real with Hilary podcast, Chyna shared her unique path—from a skeptical teenager unsure about teaching, to a committed educator who’s deeply passionate about social-emotional learning (SEL) and closing literacy gaps. Here’s a glimpse into her extraordinary journey.

Finding Her Spark: The Early Days 🔥✨

Chyna’s teaching story began unexpectedly. As a 16-year-old high school sophomore, she interned at her sister’s kindergarten class—not because she had always dreamed of teaching, but simply to try something new. What started as a few hours a week quickly turned into a revelation. “I loved it,” Chyna said. It was like an instinct, something that just felt right. Even at 16, she found herself correcting others—like her mom—on classroom procedures! 🧑‍🏫💬

Despite initially considering careers like therapy or politics, teaching grabbed hold of her heart. After a stint in virtual schooling herself, she transitioned to a public high school in North Carolina where she joined the Teacher Cadet club—an experience that exposed her to the realities many kids face, including hunger and lack of support at home. One moment stood out: a student who others had given up on thanked her and said, “You helped me learn.” That was the moment Chyna knew teaching was her calling. 🎓❤️

The Rollercoaster of Early Career 🎢🎭

After graduating from Liberty University with a degree in elementary education, Chyna began subbing across multiple grades. Fun fact: she always said she’d never teach kindergarten or math... but fate had other plans! She ended up excelling in both. Then, like many, the pandemic hit, flipping everything upside down.

Chyna found herself teaching virtually, full circle from being a virtual student herself to now leading virtual classrooms. She taught seventh grade history, kindergarten, fourth grade math—you name it! But the personal challenges during that time were intense. Her grandmother passed away unexpectedly, her mother suffered health struggles, and Chyna found herself balancing work, school, and caring for her baby brother. 💻👩‍👧‍👦💔

The Hidden Battles: Grief, Pressure & Burnout 😞💥

Returning to in-person teaching brought new hurdles. On her very third day as a fifth-grade teacher, she faced false accusations and lack of support from leadership. One particularly painful incident involved a sensitive lesson on the Holocaust that was misunderstood by a parent, resulting in confrontations that left Chyna feeling isolated.

Despite all this, she kept going—juggling 75 students, difficult parents, and her own grief after losing a beloved uncle suddenly to cardiac arrest. Her mental and physical health declined, and after a grueling first year, she made the tough decision to resign without another job lined up. She was lost but knew she couldn’t continue like that. 😔

A New Beginning with Kindergarten 🖍️🌈

With encouragement from her mom, Chyna took a leap of faith and applied for a kindergarten position—a grade she never thought she’d teach. To her surprise, she loved it. The smaller class size, the crafts, the pure joy of little learners—it rekindled her passion.

Now, Chyna dedicates herself to supporting teachers to prevent burnout and championing social-emotional learning. Her story is a powerful reminder that sometimes, life takes us on detours we never imagined, only to lead us exactly where we’re meant to be. 🌱💪

Why This Matters 🎯

Chyna’s journey shines a light on the real struggles teachers face—grief, burnout, unsupportive systems—but also their incredible resilience and the impact they make in kids’ lives every day. It’s a call for empathy, understanding, and support for educators who carry the future on their shoulders.

If you’re a teacher or someone supporting education, remember: your work matters. And if you’re feeling lost, just like Chyna once did, sometimes the next right step might surprise you. Keep going. Your impact is bigger than you know. 💫

Want to hear more inspiring stories like Chyna’s? Tune into the Getting Real with Hilary podcast and join the conversation about the human spirit, joy, and purpose in everyday lives. 🎧❤️