Kyala Joy (she/her)

As a mother of two grown children, I’m no stranger to the challenges, joys, and struggles that arise as we grow into our most authentic selves.

In 2012, after both of my children graduated from high school, I set out on a year-long journey around the world to explore the diversity of education, culture, and relationships across the globe. I felt limited by my existing worldview and was deeply called to expand it. One of the most transformative chapters of that journey took place in Hawaii, where I responded to an inner call to swim with Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins. At the time, I wasn’t a strong swimmer and carried a deep fear of the ocean. But the moment I met the dolphins, that fear disappeared. Over the next five years, I spent more than 200 hours swimming with local dolphin pods off the coast of the Big Island—a profound experience of healing, connection, and awe.

Along the way, I encountered alternative approaches to education—those that draw from the wisdom of nature, creativity, music, and community. These resonated deeply with me. I was inspired to further my understanding and support children in new ways, leading me to complete a diploma in Waldorf Education at the Rudolf Steiner College in Sacramento, California, in 2016. I then returned to Hawaii to teach for a year.

After five years of movement and exploration, I felt a longing to return home—to be close to my family and to plant roots. In 2017, I settled in Vancouver, British Columbia. Since then, I’ve been joyfully enriching the lives of children as a teacher and mentor, offering programs in nature, art, music, and academics.