Katie McDonald

Keynoter, Facilitator, Coach, Mentor, Hopeologist

Neuro-Informed Education, Trauma-Responsive Schools, Youth Mental Health Specialist, Project-Based Learning, School Redesign, Four Disciplines of Execution, Elementary Generalist

"My passion is helping fellow educators reignite their love of teaching and learning. My goal is for my participants to feel rejuvenated and armed with fresh ideas to implement. I believe in creating learning environments where learners of all ages feel comfortable taking risks, being honest, asking questions, and challenging their previous assumptions."

Much of Katie’s work at ESSDACK focuses on supporting educators as they become trauma-informed. Katie has been researching and speaking about the science of hope since 2007. She says, 

“Hope guides me in all endeavors. In both my professional and personal life, I see opportunities to share and spread hope with others so that they, too, may develop pathways to see great possibilities in their lives. I believe in the power of engaged educators to build significant relationships with young people to encourage, inspire, and build great lives.” 

This work has led to a partnership with national trauma consultant and author Jim Sporleder. Katie and Jim have built a curriculum guide supporting educators' journey to becoming trauma-informed. 

Katie is gifted in helping teachers reignite their passion for teaching and learning. As a facilitator and coach, Katie customizes professional learning to target each educator and audience's specific goals and needs. She’s convinced that unlocking the full potential in our education system relies on the hope, well-being, and engagement of our educators and students. 

Upon graduating from the University of Kansas, Katie taught in Tennessee and Texas before returning to her roots here in Kansas. She has taught in multiple elementary grade levels, was selected as the 2014 Region 1 Elementary Kansas Teacher of the Year, and worked as a K-6 instructional coach. She earned her Master’s in Curriculum & Instruction with a K-12 Reading Specialist and a Building Administration endorsement from Fort Hays State University. Katie is pursuing a Master's in Social Work at Louisiana State University.