Kristyn Joy G’09: Finding Purpose in Catholic Education

For nearly two decades, Kristyn Joy G’09 has devoted her career to Catholic education, a path she didn’t anticipate but one that ultimately became her calling. A graduate of Emmanuel College’s Master of Education program, Joy’s story is one of resilience, faith, and an unwavering commitment to her field.

Now serving as Government and State Programs Coordinator at Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy, she manages compliance, Title 1 programs, and strategic planning for one of Boston’s largest Catholic school networks. Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy is a preschool through grade 8 institution with three campuses in Dorchester, Massachusetts: Columbia, Lower Mills, and Neponset. Her journey to this role—shaped by personal challenges and life-changing moments—began in an unexpected place: the Emmanuel College Chapel.

A Pathway to Stability

In the fall of 2005, Joy found herself at a crossroads, needing to support two young children on her own. Having formerly been a mutual funds auditor at State Street, she faced the uncertainty of single parenthood without health insurance or financial security. It was in this moment of crisis that Emmanuel College emerged as both a professional and personal refuge.

Joy was accepted and enrolled in the College’s Master of Education program, drawn to its small class sizes, strong faculty support, and urban setting. What she did not anticipate was the transformational impact the institution would have on her spiritual and emotional well-being. More than just an academic experience, Emmanuel provided her with stability during a turbulent time. “Each semester, Emmanuel helped me keep my home,” she recalled. Through federal loans facilitated by the College’s financial aid office, she was able to secure not only tuition but also a cost-of-living allowance that helped cover mortgage payments, ensuring a stable home for her children.

Beyond financial support, Emmanuel became a place of healing and rediscovery. Raised as the daughter of a Protestant minister, Joy had a foundation in faith but struggled with maintaining it after her parents’ divorce in 1989 and her own in 2005. But in between graduate classes, she found solace in the College’s Chapel, a quiet space where she could reflect and, over time, reconnect with her spirituality. “I found my faith again, and I was finally not alone,” she said.

Emmanuel’s Lasting Influence on Her Career

Joy’s experience at Emmanuel did more than restore her faith—it reshaped her professional ambitions. The College’s emphasis on small class sizes and close faculty relationships deeply influenced her approach to education. “All my classes were relatively small, 8-14 students. The faculty knew each of us and understood that most of us were working full time while pursuing our degrees. The assignments were rigorous but never just ‘busy work’—they were meaningful and valuable,” she explained.

Two professors, Dr. Rosemary Tobin, Professor Emeritus of Education, and Dr. Corrinne Merritt, then Assistant Professor of Education, played a particularly significant role in shaping Joy’s journey. Their mentorship, combined with the supportive academic environment, strengthened her confidence as an educator and inspired her to take on leadership roles in Catholic education. “More importantly than anything, I saw the faculty and staff living out what it means to be part of a Catholic institution. They knew and valued all the parts of me as a student, and I want to provide that to others,” she reflected.

While she had never considered working in Catholic education before Emmanuel, the College’s influence led her to take a leap of faith. In 2008, while working full-time as a preschool teacher, she decided to drop off her resume at St. Gregory’s School in Dorchester (now the Lower Mills Campus). She was soon called in as a substitute teacher, later securing a permanent role teaching middle-school math and science.

From there, her career unfolded in unexpected but fulfilling ways. She became a Title I instructor at the Neponset Campus under the leadership of Catherine Brandley. In 2014, Joy took on a challenging dual-grade teaching position at the Mattapan Campus. Recognized for her leadership, she was selected by Brandley, now Regional Director of the Academy, to help pilot a vice-principal program at the Columbia Campus under Claire Sheridan’s mentorship. Their guidance reinforced the commitment to Catholic education Joy had embraced at Emmanuel. “Being part of Saint John Paul Catholic Academy has allowed me to provide the same kind of powerful, faith-filled experience to our students that I felt at Emmanuel,” she said.

A Legacy of Mentorship

In 2022, Joy became principal of the academy’s Columbia Campus—a role she cherished until a severe case of COVID-19 forced her to step down just months later. While recovering, she found another way to serve, overseeing government programs and compliance initiatives for the entire academy. “It’s not the role I envisioned,” she admitted, “but it’s where I’m meant to be.”

Throughout her career, Joy has remained deeply connected to Emmanuel College, mentoring pre-practicum students and student teachers. In fact, about a dozen of her colleagues at Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy are fellow Emmanuel graduates. “We consistently see Emmanuel students and Alumni align with our mission,” she noted. “They understand the importance of seeing and educating the whole child.”

This deep connection between Emmanuel College and Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy is not just evident in its faculty but is also rooted in a shared history and mission.

“Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy has enjoyed a longstanding partnership with Emmanuel College, deeply rooted in its history. In its early days, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur played an integral role at the Lower Mills campus (Saint Gregroy Parish), collaborating closely with the Dorchester parishes to ensure Catholic education remained a cornerstone of the community, welcoming all students,” said Sr. Karen Hokanson, Dean of the Emmanuel College School of Education and Assistant Professor of Education. “Today, the School of Education continues to partner with the Academy’s three campuses, upholding and advancing the vision and mission of Catholic education

Her personal ties to the institution run even deeper: her daughter, Jennifer Pettinato, followed in her footsteps, transferring to Emmanuel in 2019 and graduating with a degree in biology in 2022. For Joy, this was a full-circle moment. “For 20 years, Emmanuel has been a safe place in my world,” she said. “And now, it’s a safe place for my children, too.”

Joy’s story highlights the power of education—not just as a career path, but as a vehicle for resilience, faith, and transformation. “Emmanuel didn’t just give me a degree,” she reflected. “It gave me a future.”