Rising Stars: Meet Jenny Gustainis of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Gustainis.

Hi Jenny, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story is ultimately one of redemption, perseverance, and learning to accept who God created me to be instead of chasing who I thought I should be. From a young age, I was an overachiever who genuinely loved school, homework, and learning. While that made me a strong student, it also made me a target. I was teased for being a “nerd,” and there were days when classmates would do things like put lotion on my locker lock so I couldn’t open it. Even as I continued to work hard and achieve academically, I carried the belief that no matter how much I accomplished, I was never quite enough.

Over time, through many highs and lows, I realized that my worth wasn’t tied to my achievements. I was already deeply loved, not because of what I did, but because of who I was, and because I am a beloved daughter of God. That realization brought me back to my Catholic faith and sparked a desire to help others understand the beauty of theology in a way that is approachable and relatable.

Teaching has always been in my blood, even if I took a detour to get there. My parents immigrated from Mexico and my mom was a teacher for several decades. Although I wanted to get my teaching degree as an undergrad, my parents encouraged me to attend Georgia Tech, where I met my husband. A few years after graduation, I eventually found my way back to education. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of teaching, becoming Orton-Gillingham certified, opening my Catholic Teachers Pay Teachers shop, writing curriculum for Ascension Press, appearing on The Quest Catholic Radio, and being featured in The Georgia Bulletin. Today, whether through teaching, curriculum writing, social media, or sharing my own struggles and joys, my goal remains the same: helping others encounter truth, beauty, and God’s love in an authentic and down-to-earth way.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it definitely has not been a smooth road. Looking back, one of the recurring themes in my life has been learning how to keep moving forward even when I felt misunderstood or rejected. From a young age, I was often made fun of, whether it was for wearing glasses, having curly hair, being called “fat,” or simply being different. When I became a competitive runner and started doing well, I was teased for that too. Academically, I was labeled a teacher’s pet because I genuinely loved learning and enjoyed building relationships with my teachers. It often felt like no matter what I did, someone would find a reason to criticize it.

In college, I went through a difficult season of searching for acceptance in all the wrong places. During that time, I experienced sexual assault, and it took years of healing, counseling, and prayer to recover. For much of my life, I struggled with feeling like I was never enough, which eventually contributed to an eating disorder as I tried to earn worth through appearance and achievement.

Through counseling and a renewed relationship with God, I slowly began to understand that my value was not something I had to earn. One of the greatest gifts from that season was finding authentic friendships through the Georgia Tech Catholic Center. Many of those friends remain some of my closest friends today.

Even as an adult, challenges have continued. I’ve experienced bullying, criticism, and jealousy, whether related to my enthusiasm for teaching or simply being unapologetically myself. Through it all, my faith, my family, and a strong support system have been my anchor. Those struggles have taught me resilience, compassion, and the importance of finding my identity in God’s love rather than the opinions of others.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I wear a lot of hats, but at the heart of everything I do is a desire to help children and families grow in both faith and learning. Professionally, I am an educator, Orton-Gillingham certified literacy instructor, curriculum writer, content creator, and owner of a Catholic Teachers Pay Teachers store, Little Way Scholars. I specialize in early childhood education, structured literacy, and making Catholic teaching accessible and engaging for children and families.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to write curriculum for Ascension Press’s Religious Education program, appear as a guest on The Quest Catholic Radio, and be featured in The Georgia Bulletin. While I am grateful for those opportunities, what I am most proud of is the impact my work has on real people, whether that’s helping a struggling reader gain confidence, supporting a teacher with high-quality resources, or helping a family grow closer to Christ.

What sets me apart is that I don’t see faith, education, and real life as separate things. I share both the joys and struggles of my life openly, whether that’s motherhood, infertility, teaching, faith, or personal growth. My goal is never to appear perfect but to be authentic. I want people to feel like they’re learning alongside a friend rather than being lectured by an expert.

I think my unique combination of Catholic faith, classroom experience, literacy expertise, and willingness to be vulnerable allows me to connect with people in a meaningful way.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Absolutely. My faith is the foundation of everything I do, so many of the resources that help me both personally and professionally are rooted in Catholicism. I regularly listen to Catholic podcasts, especially those from Ascension, and I enjoy reading works by authors such as C.S. Lewis, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and other writers who challenge me to grow in both faith and virtue. The Bible, daily prayer, and spiritual reading are my most important resources because they help keep me grounded and focused on what truly matters.

Professionally, I am passionate about literacy and education, so I spend a lot of time studying the science of reading and structured literacy. Orton-Gillingham training, literacy research, and educational books have had a tremendous impact on my teaching and curriculum writing. I am a lifelong learner and genuinely enjoy diving into new topics, whether they relate to theology, education, or personal growth.

Beyond books and podcasts, some of my greatest resources are the people in my life. My husband, family, close friends, and faith community continually encourage me, challenge me, and remind me of who I am when life gets difficult. Their support, combined with my faith, has helped me navigate both successes and struggles while continuing to grow into the person God created me to be.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennygustainis
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennygustainis