Academic Head and Director
Joicy Joy
Joicy has been associated with Common Grounds International Academy (CGIA) for the past twelve years, beginning her journey as a classroom teacher before transitioning into the role of Director in 2016. She currently serves as one of the Directors and the Academic Head, actively involved in academic leadership, teacher development, and the overall functioning of the school.
She is also currently pursuing an MSc in Psychology from Jain University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education Administration from Symbiosis, Pune. In addition, she is a Certified Life Coach, Holistic Education Coach, and NLP Coach, integrating insights from psychology, leadership, and holistic education into her work with children, teachers, and parents.
Joicy believes in education that nurtures the whole child—academically, emotionally, and socially—and is committed to building an inclusive, experience-based learning environment where every child’s potential is recognized and supported.
Experience with CGIA
Over the past twelve years, CGIA has grown alongside me, and I have grown alongside it. What began as a small, intentional school has evolved into a thriving learning community, and being part of that transformation has been one of the most meaningful journeys of my life. As I stepped into the role of Director and took on the responsibility of daily operations, I learned that building a school that is inclusive, child-centred, and experience-driven requires patience, resilience, and constant reflection, not just from the institution, but from the people within it.
As CGIA expanded, I witnessed our children grow in confidence and self-awareness, our teachers evolve as reflective practitioners, and our parents slowly shift their understanding of what meaningful education truly looks like. With a team of nearly fifty staff working across General and Special Education, one of my most important roles has been aligning everyone with a shared vision. This has meant listening deeply, having difficult conversations when needed, and creating spaces for dialogue, growth, and trust. A school does not grow simply through systems and structures; it grows through relationships, shared values, and a collective commitment to children.
Running CGIA has taught me that leadership is not about having all the answers, but about holding space for questions — about learning, inclusion, and what it truly means to honour each child’s journey. There have been moments of uncertainty and challenge, but they have always been met with collaboration and purpose. Today, when I walk through our classrooms, I see not just a school that has grown in size, but a community that has grown in heart. And that, for me, remains the most meaningful measure of our work.