Date: September 15, 2026
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Type: In-Person
Location: WRESA
200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206
Asheville, NC 28806
Fee: $45 WRESA Members
$70 Non-members
**NOTE: We have a No Refund policy for our WRESA courses. However, you
are welcome to send a colleague in your place. If you need to change the
name of the person attending, send an email to registrations@wresa.org
with the information of the person who will attend in your place.
CEUs: 5 Contact Hours
Limit: 50 Participants
Audience: K-12 Administrators, District & School Level, and Asst Principals
What to bring?: Your own device
Description:
School leaders wear many hats—coach, communicator, problem-solver, and
supporter—often while carrying the emotional weight of an entire school community.
This engaging, research-based session explores how the neuroscience of stress,
resilience, and emotional regulation influences leadership, school culture, and teacher
well-being. Participants will discover practical, brain-based strategies to improve
decision-making, establish healthy boundaries, create sustainable work-life balance,
prioritize personal wellness, and model healthy leadership. Through simple, realistic
practices, including movement, breathing, nutrition, purposeful routines, and intentional
self-care, leaders will leave equipped to strengthen their own well-being while creating a
ripple effect that empowers teachers, supports students, and fosters a thriving school
community.
Presenters:
Casey Kruk is a 21-year veteran educator whose career spans roles as a teacher, coach,
athletic director, high school assistant principal, and–most recently–6 years as a middle school
principal. Anchored by the belief that school administrators must be led by a desire to be
instructional leaders, he has guided his middle school to consistent growth over the last 6
years–including its first-ever Exceeds Growth designation in 2022–while navigating the
challenges of COVID-19, two major floods, and all the other things the world has thrown at us.
As a cancer survivor, he pairs this deep commitment to educational excellence with hard-earned
personal perspective, advocating for educator stress management, long-term well-being, and
meaningful human connection.
Dr. Natalie Boone is an educator, coach, and wellness advocate with more than 20
years of experience helping students and educators recognize their strengths, improve
their well-being, and create meaningful change. She currently serves as an Associate
Professor of Kinesiology and Health Sciences at Mars Hill University, where she
teaches health, human performance, kinesiology, and physical education. In addition to
teaching, she serves as an academic advisor, internship coordinator, Physical
Education Teacher Education coordinator, and growth coach for student-athletes. She
holds two doctorates: one in Educational Leadership from Gardner-Webb University and
one in Kinesiology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, as well as two
master’s degrees and numerous certifications.
Boone’s work is grounded in the belief that effective teaching and leadership begin with
understanding the whole person. Her professional interests include the neuroscience of
learning, educator wellness, stress and emotional regulation, movement-based learning,
student engagement, and the connection between physical, mental, emotional, and
relational health. She is passionate about translating research into practical strategies
that educators and school leaders can realistically use in their daily lives and
professional practice.
Beyond the university classroom, Boone leads professional development workshops for
educators across the state, coaches CrossFit, and provides movement and wellness
opportunities in her community. Her engaging and authentic presentation style
combines research, practical application, reflection, movement, and humor. Whether
working with students, teachers, athletes, or school leaders, Boone’s goal is to help
people feel seen, supported, and equipped to lead and live well.
If you have additional questions, contact Candie Sellers at csellers@wresa.org