Joel Katte

Joel Katte is a teacher, inspirational speaker, and author who has been igniting passion & purpose since 2015! Former principal of Top5 KY school & @Angels milb

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

I am excited that I do not need to travel for my KASA Conference Opening Keynote on Thursday! It feels like a home game. Can’t wait! #KASA2023 #KASAELF2023 @KASAEdLeader @rhondakasa

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

Yesterday’s “Knock it Out of the Park” state testing spirit day was a hit!

Thank you TCMS special educator extraordinaire Mrs. Christina Williams for helping represent one of my favorite teams I have ever played on, the Delavan Blackhawks circa 2006. Here we are wearing the Blackhawks home and away jerseys.

I brought all kinds of other old jerseys of mine and handed them out to my students to wear. They especially got a kick out of one of my Lexington Adult Baseball League’s teams, the Dirtbags.

It was a wonderful walk-off down memory lane!

Alright TCMS students and staff, it’s time to give our best and forget the rest! #FCPSKY

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

@MakersMark ice cream and homemade chocolate chip and sugar cookies made with love by Mary Louise was the perfect way to end #TeacherAppreciationWeek celebrating my students’ reading growth scores, colleagues, and admin team! Having an attitude of gratitude is a powerful tool this time of year as we push to finish strong (in June!). I am grateful for the great people at #TCMS #FCPSKY! Teacher appreciation week is about being appreciated, but it is also for pausing to be grateful for all the blessings in our school community.

Okay, I did not actually serve them #MakersMark ice cream, but that is what I told our school nurse when she was computing numbers for one of our students with diabetes. She said, “What?! Mr. Katte, what are you trying to do to our students?” She asked me again the name brand, and I repeated, “Maker’s Mark.” The third time I realized I meant to say Members Mark from Sam’s Club.

Before you make fun of me for buying the cheapest ice cream, just know I have spent over $1000 on my students and classroom this year. I am not saying this to brag or ask for donations, but rather just for you to give me a pass on trying to save a few dollars here and there when I can.

Mary Louise‘s cookies were a huge hit, and I am confident we will carry this positive momentum into our state testing next week.

#iBelonghere

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

Last Wednesday I had the privilege of giving the KCARE (Kentucky Coalition for Aging Resources and Empowerment) 2026 Quality Summit breakfast keynote address to over 200 long-term health care professionals.

What a wonderful group of passionate, dedicated people committed to such important work! IGNITE #loveinhealthcare!

One of my goals in 2026 has been to expand my work to supporting more people in healthcare and business. If you know of anyone who might be interested in a keynote address, staff training, leadership retreat, or coaching, please encourage them to reach out to me and I would be happy to discuss what that could look like.

Thank you, Angela Porter, for this opportunity!

#KCARESUMMIT2026

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

My #Matcha and #quarterzips part two is now on TikTok for those of you on TikTok.

I have decided to put some more consistent content on there now if anyone wants to follow along.

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

Recently, my students affirmed how cool I am for wearing #quarterzips, so I have decided to share some pro tips on how we can all spread some good cheer this holiday season with extra swag and aura.

https://t.co/ypC2iZcIJt

#MatchaMatchaMan
#Quarterzip

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

Democracy Is a Practice, Not Just a Day - https://t.co/q2mbqFLb3a

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

“If a kid can do it, a kid should do it.”

Thank you Nicole for sharing Zoë’s recent appearance and shout out of me on Lisa Kay Solomon’s “How We Future” podcast. (At approximately the 16:15 mark)

It was so rewarding to hear Zoë’s reflections about her schooling experiences at Meadowthorpe Elementary and how all of her schooling experiences helped lead her to the mission she is currently leading.

It is also exciting to see Zoë live by the mantra I teach my students and try to model to them every day:

“The best way to predict your future is to design it yourself.”

Teachers, our students do grow up to positively change the world. Stay the course.

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

I am in perfect balance. I move forward in life with ease and joy at every stage.

Wishing you all the peace that passes all understanding.

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

Always a pleasure meeting and working with Southern Illinois educators at the Mount Vernon Conference!

I am already looking forward to heading back next year!

Thank you, Julie Loucks, for organizing and inviting me yo another incredible conference

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

Meet my dear friend Ron Glodoski who inspired me to become a motivational speaker!

I first saw Ron speak in 2003 when he completely captivated the student body at Waterford Union High School where I taught. It was then that I said to myself, “I want to speak like this someday.”

I had the courage to speak that goal out loud to Ron, and he encouraged and mentored me along the way. Thank you, Ron! I am blessed to be one of the tens of thousands you have inspired over the years!

We took this picture together when we both spoke at the Mount Vernon (IL) conference in 2019.

Today I have the privilege of speaking at this amazing conference for the eighth consecutive year! I always meet such wonderful people here, sadly however, many of them are St. Louis Cardinals fans. I imagine we will all be united in rooting for the Toronto Blue Jays to finish off the Los Angeles Dodgers in this year’s World Series.

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

@PLDVolleyball1 Let’s go Dunbar!

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

I have been a huge fan of Mary Kay Howard since I started learning from her in 2016 when her Managing Stress class was the most popular elective at Lafayette High School.

Now retired, Mary Kay shares her knowledge and tools with adults who need to manage stress.

I highly recommend attending a Mary Kay Howard session any chance you get. Check out this one next month:

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

It is hard to believe that I’ve been sharing IGNITE #loveinschools professional learning and keynotes for ten years.

Over the years, I have learned that when the spirit moves me, I must move on it. It always leads me to wonderful people, incredible learning experiences and tremendous growth!

Six years ago, what I call my “Field of Dreams” voice nudged me to share six hours of professional learning at Crank and Boom Ice Cream, and these ten incredible people showed up and poured their hearts out!

I am proud and grateful to call each of these people, friends, and I am grateful for each of you who continue to be a part of this movement in schools and life and who continue to encourage me over the years.

The next time your “Field of Dreams” voice nudges or urges you, be sure to move on it. It will lead you to the wonderful people and beautiful experiences you deserve!

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

I am a proud member of Kenley’s Fan Club! She has worked incredibly hard with tremendous poise and is one of the most coachable players I have ever worked with!

It’s fun to be fans of athletes, actors, musicians, and other celebrities, but I strive to be fans of the people I live and work with every day. I find it to be much more rewarding.

Who in your life are you a big fan of?

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

@dr_poe #BelieveinGC !

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

I love it when the stars align and all the signs assure me I am headed in the right direction!

Flashback Photo to my visit to Kenect in Nashville …

We gotta keep moving even as the cold and darkess settles in.

One of my favorite YMCA exercise instructors always says, “If you are moving, you are improving!”

How will you keep moving today and throughout these cold fall and winter days?

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

Thank you incredible #EdCampCKY facilitators Julia Pile, Paula McPeake, Sharon Mofield-Boswell, Harding Ison-Bowman, Louise Gash, and Melissa Stephanski!

Triangle of Hope, Six Things Parents Want Us to Know About Them, Writing Compelling Narratives, Community Asset Mapping, Increasing Engagement With Project Based Learning (PBL), Field Trips and Community Volunteers, Increasing Teacher Efficacy, Prioritizing Connection and Meaning to Increase Belonging, Preparing for Retirement Emotionally Not Just Financially, Utilizing What We Know About the Science of the Brain to Maximize Student Focus and To Help Them Self-Regulate…. These are only a few of the highlights that were shared at our first Ed Camp Central Kentucky!

Mark your calendars for next year Saturday October 17, 2026 for more fun, focused, fulfilling and FREE professional learning! @juliepile @ParentCamp @LauraGilchrist4 @SharonMofield @melsteph0801 @