Joie Lê

Bio

Joie Lê is a lifelong educator whose work spans both secondary and post-secondary classrooms, with a focus on culturally responsive pedagogy and experiential learning. She has dedicated her career to helping students connect academic content with real-world applications, designing courses in history, literature, culture, mixed media art, creative writing, business and marketing, nonprofit leadership, and career and technical education. Her teaching reflects a deep commitment to storytelling, inquiry-based learning, and the integration of arts and culture across disciplines.

Beyond the classroom, Joie has a long history of community engagement and leadership. She is the co-founder of Friends of the Lakota Nation, a 501(c)3 organization that supports educational and cultural initiatives on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. As a former business owner and director of curriculum and instruction for the Mizel Institute, she developed innovative educational programs that bridged multiple sectors, including dance, fitness, and museum curation, highlighting her ability to create meaningful connections between the arts and community.

Joie is also an entrepreneur and advocate, bringing firsthand experience in leadership and program development to her students. Her multifaceted career reflects a passion for fostering equity, creativity, and cross-cultural understanding in every space she enters. Today, she continues to inspire learners of all ages as an educator, program designer, travel guide for culturally immersive experiences in Southeast Asia, and advocate for culturally grounded education.

Education

Joie earned a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Denver, an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Regis University, an M.A. in Education and M.A. in Literary Arts from the University of Denver, and a B.A. in Literature from the University of Denver.