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

beled 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

Date:     January 28, 2027
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:    45 Participants
Audience: K-12 Administrators and Aspiring Administrators
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