Leader Feature: Meet Star Award Winner Mr. Bravo

Mr. Bravo won a 2018 SRLA Star Award at this year’s Leader Dinner! We are grateful for his eight years so far with Students Run LA and are lucky to have him as part of the SRLA family.

Q: Where are you a SRLA leader? How many years have you been with SRLA and what brought you to us? 
A: I’m the Lead Teacher at Carson High School. I’ve been the Lead Teacher for 8 years. My good friend Juan Rodríguez told me about Students Run LA. 

I’ve been a runner since I was in High School. SRLA has given me the position to provide our students the opportunity to challenge themselves by training and running the Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon. 

Q: What is your day job? 
A: I’m a Special Education teacher. For the last 10 years I have focused on working with students diagnosed with Autism. 

Q: What is your favorite training tip, quote, or words of advice that you share with your students?
A: I have several, but my two favorite are; “Mind over Matter” and “Positive Attitude.” 

Q: What has been your favorite SRLA event of all time?
A: There are several. I really enjoyed the night at Dodger Stadium when we sat in the Right Field Pavilion. I also like the Summer Leader Conferences because I learn something new each year. Finally, the 2018 LA Marathon was my favorite, because I ran it with my daughters. 

Q: What is the best thing about SRLA in your opinion?
A: I love that SRLA empowers kids to believe in themselves and realize that they are capable of accomplishing more than they ever imagined. The confidence students have after completing a Marathon is priceless.

SRLA not only helps kids finish a Marathon and high school, in my experience at Carson HS we’ve also saved a few lives. 

Q: What’s something that people might be surprised to learn about you? 
A: I grew up in Compton, CA, I was Homecoming King in high school, and I’m hard of hearing (I can’t hear out one ear).

Q: Do you have a favorite teaching/mentoring moment you’d like to share?
A: This past year was thus far my favorite with SRLA. This group had 15 Seniors and they were all AMAZING! 

Watching one of runners, Sergio, transform from a lanky and insecure freshmen to the awesome four time Marathon finisher was really cool to watch and be part of. 

Q: What three words might your students use to describe you?
A: Firm, fair, and not funny 

Q: Anything else you want to share? 
A: I love SRLA and opportunities it has provided me and my runners at Carson High School.

Make a donation in honor of Mr. Bravo today!