Joy trained as a Primary School teacher and started her teaching career in the London Borough of Brent. She also taught in schools in America, Staffordshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Joy held a range of leadership roles including Key Stage 1 Manager, Assistant Headteacher, Lead Teacher for Literacy, Key Stage One Moderator for a Local Authority and school coordinator for Geography, History and Special Educational Needs. She taught across the primary age range from Reception Class to Year 6, specialising within Early Years and Key Stage 1.

Following her experience in schools Joy worked as an advisor in Worcestershire Local Authority in the area of School Workforce, providing guidance and support to school leaders on professional development and deployment of support staff. Joy led the Induction training for Teaching Assistants (Tas) and managed a programme of training which supported TAs to gain qualifications, this included working with Higher level Teaching Assistants on preparation for assessment. Joy then worked within the Department for Primary Initial Teacher Education at the University of Worcester. During this time, she worked in School Partnership supporting trainee teachers, school colleagues and mentors in school. Joy held the post of Module Lead for the Dissertation Module and Year Leader for the final year Undergraduate students. Joy was also an Academic Integrity Tutor. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Joy studied for a Doctorate in Education at University College London, researching the impact of how schools and universities work collaboratively to support Initial Teacher Education within the different routes into teaching. Her research interests include school-university partnerships and how policy informs practice in ITT. She continues to be a keen researcher and writer. Joy is committed to supporting the next generation of teachers to achieve and to thrive in the teaching profession.