Contact: Lisa Deffendall • First Posted: Friday, June 4, 2010

Meadowthorpe Elementary and Paul Laurence Dunbar High School will have new principals as of July 1. 

Betsy Rains, who has 21 years of experience in education, is taking over at Dunbar; and Joel Katte, who has been in education for nine years, will take the helm at Meadowthorpe.

For the past five years, Rains has been the associate principal at Tates Creek High School. She joined the Fayette County Public Schools in 1997 as a special education teacher at Tates Creek after having taught in Scott County, Grant County and Covington Independent school districts.

“I’m honored and I’m very excited to be selected as the leader of one of the best schools in the state,” Rains said. “I’m looking forward to meeting and working with the teachers, students and families in the Dunbar community.”

Rains said she’ll start by listening, and plans to meet with the administrative team, teachers, students and parents in small groups and individually for a lot of “get-to-know-you time.”

“I want to hear what they have to say, she said. “I want to know what they’re passionate about and what they have a compassion for. What are the relationships like? Is the communication there? What kinds of things do we need to work on? What changes do we need to make? What is working? What do we need to put in place for the fall?”

Rains said that input will be critical in taking steps to ensure that students have “a safe environment, a welcoming environment and place where they can learn.”

Superintendent Stu Silberman had high praise for Rains.

“Betsy is a strong leader and she possesses a wealth of knowledge about running a high school,” he said.  “Her experiences will be a major strength for her as she leads Dunbar.”

High School Director Mike McKenzie agreed.

“Having been a high school administrator for five years, she has seen first-hand what it takes to be an effective high school principal. I look forward to working with Betsy in her new role,” McKenzie said.

Despite her excitement about becoming a PLD Bulldog, Rains acknowledged it would be difficult to leave Tates Creek after 13 years.

“This is one of the most open, accepting and caring groups of people I’ve ever worked with,” she said. “Tates Creek will always have a place in my heart.”

Rains, 45, has two sons who attend Glendover Elementary School – 6-year-old Ben and 8-year-old Clay. She earned her bachelor’s degrees in education and master’s degree in specific learning disabilities from Cumberland College. She completed the principal certification program at Eastern Kentucky University.

Katte joins FCPS from Wisconsin, where he has been principal at Kosciuszko Elementary School since 2007. He was also the principal at Cleveland Elementary School. 

Katte has taught language arts classes at the middle and high school levels and also has worked in alternative middle and high schools. In addition, he has taught at the university level.

“I could not be more excited,” said Katte, who played minor league baseball right out of high school. “It feels like I’m getting called up to the big leagues. It’s a dream opportunity at an amazing school.”

Katte said he and his family were drawn to Kentucky in large part to be closer to family and to find a milder climate than chilly Wisconsin.  But he’s thrilled to have found a district like Fayette County, which is making great strides in education.

“I see how progressive the district is and what amazing learning opportunities it provides for kids. I am thrilled to become part of the Meadowthorpe school community,” he said. 

Silberman was pleased to welcome Katte to Lexington.

“Having served as a successful principal, he will bring that experience to the school. He is known to be a hard worker and to be very progressive. We look forward to working with him,” Silberman said.

Elementary School Director Loraye Jones agreed.

“Meadowthorpe is fortunate to have hired a leader that is committed to continuing the passion for excellence that is exemplified in the school,” Jones said. “Joel has an infectious, positive attitude. He is committed to developing students and staff while providing a stimulating, safe and motivating learning environment.”

Katte said his first job will be to build relationships on campus and in the community.

“I can’t wait to meet the students, staff and families. I will strive to build relationships with every person in the school community and empower teachers to lead with their strengths to continue with the success they’re already achieving,” he said. “Meadowthorpe is clearly a school that is excelling, and it seems everyone is committed to working together to help all students achieve their dreams.”

Katte, 33, and wife Dawn have three children: Daisy, Holly and Wesley. He earned his bachelor’s degrees in English and education from Lakeland College and his master’s degree in educational leadership from Aurora University. He also holds certifications in principal leadership and instructional leadership.