Dr. Delphina JOYce Avila
President
Dr. Delphina JOYce Avila — President
Current Role / Institution
Founder & CEO, JOY—Journey Options YouChoose®
Professional Background
Dr. Delphina JOYce Avila, known as the Messenger of JOY®, brings over 30 years of experience in education, administration, and community leadership. She is a passionate advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion in multilingual and multicultural education.
As Founder and CEO of JOY—Journey Options YouChoose®, Dr. Avila empowers educators and leaders through her proprietary frameworks—JOY Mindset®, L.E.A.D. with JOY®, and S.H.I.N.E. with JOY®—to cultivate resilience, authentic leadership, and inclusive practice. She has led global education initiatives, placing over 700 international teachers in U.S. classrooms across 30+ states, and has a strong focus on supporting underserved communities through expanded learning opportunities.
Dr. Avila is a dynamic speaker, leadership coach, and organizational wellness strategist, with experience presenting nationally at conferences, DEI initiatives, and corporate summits. She also serves on the boards of AZTESOL and Mujer Inc., and is an active member of ALAS and AZALAS.
Areas of Expertise / Interests
- Educational leadership and equity-driven instruction
- Multilingual and multicultural education
- Professional development and educator coaching
- Organizational wellness and resilience
- Inclusive leadership and DEI strategies
AZTESOL Involvement and Goals
As AZTESOL President, Dr. Avila is committed to:
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Supporting English language educators statewide
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Advancing equitable and excellent instruction for multilingual learners
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Promoting professional collaboration, growth, and leadership development among members