Joy Givens

Joy Givens (she/her) is a Refugee Youth Program Specialist trained in trauma-informed care, education administration, and creative communication. Joy holds a BA in Political Science and Psychology from the University of Central Florida and a MEd in Higher Education Management from the University of Pittsburgh. She has taught, tutored, and supported learners of wide-ranging ages and backgrounds, with particular care toward the social-emotional and academic development of K-12 students who have experienced significant trauma and adverse childhood experiences.

Upon moving to Pittsburgh in 2008, Joy began her career in university administration while continuing her own higher education journey. In 2012, she launched Givens Academic and Preparatory Tutoring, a small business she operated for eight years while raising young children. During the late 2010s, Joy also served as an in-home volunteer with resettled refugees through Jewish Family & Community Services (JFCS), and in October 2020, she was invited to develop a virtual after-school program serving resettled refugee youth in Pittsburgh. That expanded program, now called Bridge Builders, provides support in social-emotional learning, English language enrichment, and cultural orientation to immigrant and refugee students throughout Pittsburgh. Bridge Builders now supports over 200 students every year.

In addition to her work with refugee and immigrant students, Joy is particularly passionate about literacy and language development for all learners. She is a multi-published, award-winning author and a frequent workshop presenter for local and regional writers’ organizations. Joy’s debut picture book, The Unstoppable Jamie, which was inspired by her wish for greater representation in children’s literature for neurodivergent children like her own, was published in 2023. Joy will also serve as a children’s literature panelist for the 2025 Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books.

Joy’s experiences as a parent of children with learning disabilities/differences, an educator of English language learners, and a creator of stories that inspire and empower children give her a unique, multifaceted perspective on learning environments. Joy is dedicated to practices that meaningfully integrate and uplift students among their peers. In all avenues, Joy is driven to help young people find their passions and guide them to build the skills they need to succeed as conscientious, compassionate adults.

Joy resides in the Lincoln neighborhood with her college-sweetheart husband David and their four children: Joshua (12), Samuel (8), Grace (3) and Rose (3). Joy and her family are longtime members of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Shadyside, a fully LGBTQ+ affirming congregation of the ELCA. Joy is proud to co-chair Lincoln Elementary’s “Around the World Night” and annual Talent Show, and she is also happy to serve as an unofficial sidewalk chalk artist and communal baker for her beloved neighborhood.