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]

Every day a little better over a long career adds up…

Thank you @minnies_pov and @drproductionsky for the great pictures! @GoLexLegends , forever grateful!

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

Last night I dreamt the #MilwaukeeBrewers won game one of the #WorldSeries!

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

View my video book here: https://t.co/rzkNACLKC1

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

If you knew my journey to this moment, this post, you would cry tears of joy with me…

My beloved, late father-in-law Merle Hansen’s late best friend Dennis Rader, who taught English at Kentucky State University, said something that inspires me daily as a writer.

I consider this post and this video sharing of me reading my children’s book (written for all ages, especially adults) FINDING YOU AT THE ZOO, a critical step in me moving toward the mark Dennis set for me.

I dedicate this edition to you, Dennis.

And I give the most sincere thank you that I can muster to the dozens of my friends, family, and colleagues who have been a part of my journey to here… you all know who you are and I love each of you more than words can describe. #grateful

Please see the post that follows honoring Merle’s legacy.

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

Remember, the umpire yells, “Play ball!” It’s a game; have fun. We play better when we’re having fun because it’s easier to find our rhythm and be in flow.

The same is true for our work and life.

Here is one of my ballplayers crushing that lesson I taught her and carrying out the D -BAT (Developing Beliefs Attitude and Traditions) mission!

#ProudInstructor
#Fortheloveofthegame
#BackyardBaseball

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

Last week, Jessamine County Schools staff received their Opening Day message and announcements from the comfort of their classrooms and work spaces! I was excited to deliver an inspirational message remotely! What a cool tradition they have started the last few years! Have a great and safe 2026-2027 school year! Good luck on your first day with kids today, and remember to #BeMoreYou and IGNITE #loveinschools this year!

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

Bombers Take Flight!

Today I had the privilege of helping Ballard County Schools kickoff the 2026-2027 school year with a keynote address and staff training!

Thank you, Superintendent Dr. Casey Allen and Chief Academic Officer Mr. Kevin Estes for giving me the opportunity to continue to work with your district!

Ballard County Schools is a small district with big opportunities, and the sky is the limit for their students, staff, families and community!

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

I joined Commerce Lexington in January, and I already have made wonderful connections with so many passionate people who love their work and community!

I think I found my tribe, especially since they trusted my vibe with my “IGNITE More Spark in Your Walk, Work and Life” presentation yesterday at 46 Solutions.

I cannot wait to see what the future holds as we strive to bring out the best in the arch other.
@CommerceLex
#CommerceLexington
#CommerceLex

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

If you are a member of Commerce Lexington, I hope you attend my “IGNITE More Spark in Your Walk, Work & Life” event tomorrow at 3:30 P.M. at 46Solutions, Lexington Green location.

If you know other members, please encourage them to attend. Please also consider sharing this post to help spread the word.

As always, every keynote or presentation I give is unique to the venue, and I believe this one is going to be one of my best to date.

I hope to see you there! @CommerceLex

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

Join us this Thursday, July 16, at 3:30pm for our next @330 series, "Ignite More Spark in Your Walk, Work & Life," presented and hosted by 46Solutions.

I will be speaking/teaching how to ignite passion and purpose in our lives, as well as maintain a greater work-life balance.

Register here today! https://t.co/96DyfxTmgY

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

To read about or register for Thursday’s event, click here: https://t.co/cf0c9MG2eb

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

As I continue to support schools and districts with my IGNITE #loveinschools professional learning experiences, I am also expanding my work to facilitate for business and health care. In February, I gave a keynote address at the Kentucky Coalition for Aging Resources and Empowerment (KCARE) conference, and Monday I will be facilitating a staff retreat for Marshall Medical Group. I also have two Human Resources conferences lined up for 2027.

Thursday, I will be presenting "Ignite More Spark in Your Walk, Work, and Life" for Commerce Lexington, Inc.'s @330 Series.

If you know of people working in business or health care who may be interested in discussing what one of my professional learning experiences could look like for their staffs or conferences, please share their contact information with me; I would be happy to reach out to them, or please share my information and number with them and encourage them to call me anytime to discuss at their convenience.

I have been doing this work for 13 years, and so many of you have been so encouraging and supportive and for that I will be forever grateful. Word of mouth truly still is the best marketing, so any help is greatly appreciated.

[Joel Katte @IGNITELovePD]

I have been playing baseball for 45 years and ever since day one of falling in love with the game, I have been imagining and dreaming about playing in front of a standing room only crowd. Tonight some of my Black Sox teammates and I get to experience this on Legends Field.

Thank you, Joe Torre for continuing to make dreams come true on these incredible field of dreams journeys your players are on.

And thank you Justin and the Legends organization for dreaming up such an awesome experience for players, fans and families! It is going to be an absolute blast, a little pun intended, considering the fireworks show!

Lastly, thank you Lexington fans and families for showing up! I especially want to thank my D-bat players and families who continue to dream these dreams with me.

At the end of the day, dream chasing and enabling the dreams of those around you is one of the best ways we can spend our time and energy.

#DreamChasing
#IgniteLoveinSports
#BackyardBaseball

[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