Joy was born and raised in Southeast San Diego. She holds a B.A. in English from UCLA, and M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction and teaching credential from the University of San Diego, and a life coaching certification from Lumia Coaching. She is also a proud SDSU Upward Bound alumna. In the past nine years as educator, Joy has taught Humanities, English, Public Speaking, Health, and AVID in the San Diego Unified School District.

As the Chula Vista High School Specialist, she wants to continually serve as a role model to students of color navigating the education system. She believer in teaching students that the struggle is important in learning how to bloom and grow into the adult they want to be and that their success isn’t based on a grade, but rather on their ability to believe in themselves and where they came from.

“Courage starts with showing up & letting ourselves be seen.” – Brene Brown