Joy Kelly

Joy Kelly brings over 30 years of experience in education as a teacher, principal, and executive leadership coach. A passionate advocate for cultivating trust, excellence, and meaningful relationships, Joy was recognized as the 2015 Iowa Associate Principal of the Year. She believes that a strong, positive culture is the foundation of every successful school.

She is the co-author of Handle with Care: Managing Difficult School Situations with Dignity and Respect, written with Jimmy Casas, which provides educators with practical strategies to navigate challenges with professionalism and compassion.

Today, Joy works with school leaders across the country, helping them clarify core values, cultivate trust, hold themselves and others accountable, and build leadership capacity. Her work inspires schools to become places where educators thrive, parents feel confident, and students excel in safe, engaging environments.