Meet Jenny Gustainis | Catholic Wife, Mother, and Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jenny Gustainis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jenny, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
My understanding of balance has changed dramatically over time. For much of my life, I thought balance meant doing everything well and keeping all the plates spinning at once. As an overachiever, I often measured my worth by my productivity, accomplishments, and how much I could take on. The problem was that no matter how much I achieved, there was always another goal to chase, and I often found myself exhausted and feeling like I wasn’t doing enough.

Over the years, I’ve learned that balance isn’t about giving equal attention to everything all the time. It’s about recognizing what matters most in a particular season and giving myself permission to let some things take priority over others. Today, my faith, family, and relationships come first. Work is important and something I genuinely love, but I’ve learned that success means very little if it comes at the expense of the people I love or my own well-being.

I’ve also become more comfortable with the idea that balance is dynamic rather than static. Some seasons require more focus on motherhood, some on teaching, some on personal healing, and some on creative projects. Instead of striving for perfection, I try to focus on being present and faithful to what God is calling me to in that moment. Ironically, the more I’ve accepted my limitations and stopped trying to do everything, the more peace and joy I’ve found.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Absolutely. My career has been anything but linear, but it has been deeply purposeful. I am an educator, Orton-Gillingham certified literacy specialist, curriculum writer, and Catholic content creator. I specialize in early literacy instruction, structured literacy, and creating faith-based educational resources that help children not only learn how to read and write, but also understand that they are deeply loved by God.

What sets me apart is that I don’t separate my faith from my work. For me, education is not just academic, it is formation. Whether I am teaching a child to decode a word, writing curriculum for Catholic education programs, or creating content online, my goal is always to help people encounter truth, beauty, goodness, and God’s love in a practical and approachable way.

Getting here professionally was not easy or straightforward. I began as a teacher, but like many people, I went through seasons of doubt, comparison, and questioning whether I was “enough.” I also took a detour into a completely different field after graduating from Georgia Tech, where I met my husband, before ultimately feeling called back into education. Along the way, I had to overcome perfectionism, burnout, and the pressure to constantly prove myself. Over time, I learned that my worth was not tied to achievement, but rooted in being a daughter of God.

Some of the most important lessons I’ve learned are that growth often comes through suffering, obedience matters more than perfection, and authenticity connects more deeply than polish ever will. Those lessons have shaped not only my teaching but also how I show up online and in my writing.

What I am most proud of is not any single accomplishment, but the impact, helping struggling readers gain confidence, supporting teachers with meaningful resources, and creating materials that help families grow in both literacy and faith. I’ve had the privilege of writing for Ascension Press, being featured in The Georgia Bulletin, and appearing on The Quest Catholic Radio, but what excites me most is continuing to build work that serves both the heart and the mind.

What I want the world to know about me and my brand is simple: I am here to serve. My work is rooted in faith, grounded in evidence-based literacy instruction, and shaped by real life – its beauty, its struggles, and everything in between. I hope that through what I create, people feel encouraged, seen, and reminded that learning and holiness can exist together in everyday life.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I were planning a perfect week in Atlanta with a day in Roswell (my hometown), I’d structure it around the city’s strongest food scenes, iconic sights, and a few Michelin-level dining experiences, while keeping the pace fun but not rushed.

We’d start in Midtown, which is one of the easiest and most beautiful ways to get introduced to Atlanta. Brunch at South City Kitchen Midtown would set the tone with classic Southern food, then we’d walk through Piedmont Park and into the BeltLine for murals, skyline views, and an easy feel of the city. That first evening would be a rooftop moment at 9 Mile Station, watching the sun drop over the skyline while easing into the trip.

The next day would be focused on Atlanta’s major landmarks. We’d start at the Georgia Aquarium, then walk through Centennial Olympic Park and over to the World of Coca-Cola. It’s a very “you have to do it once” Atlanta circuit, and it gives a nice sense of the city’s scale and history. For dinner, this is where I’d elevate things with a Michelin Guide experience, either **Hayakawa** (omakase, extremely intimate and precise) or **Lazy Betty**, which is one of Atlanta’s standout tasting menu restaurants known for its creativity and polish.

A second food-forward day would lean into Buckhead, which is where Atlanta feels more polished and upscale. We’d do a slow brunch, wander Buckhead Village and Lenox for shopping, and then rest up for another Michelin-level dinner. **Bacchanalia** would be the centerpiece here, one of Atlanta’s most consistently acclaimed fine dining experiences with a seasonal tasting menu that feels like a true event rather than just a meal.

Midweek, we’d head north to Roswell for a complete change of pace. The morning would be spent walking the trails around Roswell Mill and the Chattahoochee River, where the sound of the water and the old mill ruins make everything feel quieter and more historic. Then we’d spend the afternoon on Canton Street, which is the heart of Roswell, tree-lined, walkable, full of cafés, patios, and small shops that make you want to linger. Dinner here would be at Table & Main for refined Southern cooking, or Gate City Brewing Company if the night calls for something more casual and social.

Another Roswell-focused day would stay by the river at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, with time for walking, relaxing, or a picnic. It’s one of the most peaceful natural escapes in the metro area and balances out the intensity of city days. That evening, we’d head back into Atlanta for something elevated again, either Aria for a refined but comfortable fine dining experience, or another Michelin Guide stop depending on availability and mood.

Toward the end of the week, I’d keep things flexible and local. A slow morning in Midtown or Buckhead, a return to favorite coffee spots, and some time just walking without a strict plan. The final dinner would be another chance to choose between something special and something easy, either a return to a Michelin-starred tasting menu experience or a relaxed night back in Roswell on Canton Street. The trip would end the same way it started: with a skyline or river view, depending on whether you want energy or calm to close the week.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Absolutely, this is one of my favorite questions because I truly don’t believe any part of my story has been walked alone.

First and foremost, I want to shout out to my husband and our daughter. My husband has been my steady support through every season, encouraging me, grounding me, and walking with me through both the joys and the really difficult moments. And my daughter is such a daily reminder of joy, purpose, and the gift of being entrusted with motherhood.

I also want to honor my parents and in-laws, who have each in their own way shaped my life with love, sacrifice, and support. As a daughter of Mexican immigrants, my parents especially instilled in me the value of hard work, education, and perseverance, which has carried me through so many seasons.

A very special shout out goes to Kristen from A Sacred Faith, who has been an incredible example of faith, encouragement, and authenticity in how she shares her life and love for the Church online. Her witness has been a meaningful source of inspiration for me.

I’m deeply grateful for my spiritual directors, who have walked with me in discernment, healing, and growth. Their guidance has helped me stay rooted, faithful, and focused on what truly matters.

Above all, I have to give thanks to God and Our Blessed Mother, Mama Mary, who have been my constant anchor through every high and low. My faith is not something separate from my work or life, it is the foundation of everything I do.

Every part of my story is truly woven together by the love, prayers, and support of all these people, and ultimately by God’s grace working through them.

Website: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/little-way-scholars

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennygustainis/