2024 Student Wellness Conference

Susan is a proven, experienced, interdependent, and relational educational leader who thrives in the nexus of campus life having served in executive and leadership roles at independent schools (Governor’s Academy, Phillips Academy, Asheville School, Ravenscroft School) and in higher education (Duke University and Smith College). 

For more than a decade, she has completed extensive training in leadership development and team facilitation with the Center for Creative Leadership. She is certified as a facilitator of the Better Conversations Every Day™ training tool, which assists schools in creating vertical alignment with a feedback culture through developing and sustaining behavioral communication skills at all levels. Susan is a certified executive coach and certified facilitator of the EQi-2.0, EQ 360 (Emotional Quotient Inventory 2.0 and 360) to support human performance and development in educational settings. She is the Associate Head of School for Wellness and Belonging at Forsyth Country Day School in Lewisville, North Carolina, as well as a Senior Consultant with EXPLO Elevate.

Susan has served on two National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) committees charged with examining best practices and providing recommendations to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of students, including being appointed to the NAIS/Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) Independent School Task Force on Educator Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response.  In 2014, Susan appeared as an expert panelist on PBS/UNC-TV’s Focus On: Educating Black Boys, which explored issues around education, opportunity, race, identity, and parenting in the 21st century. Additionally, Susan has completed the Racial Equity Institute Groundwater and Phase 1 training and The Principals’ Center (TPC) at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education (HGSE) program in Race, Equity, and Leadership in Schools. Her clinical training has included two separate in-residence internships at Duke University, and she has completed Advanced Clinical Certification in The Relational Model Levels I & II at the Jean Baker Miller Training Institute, part of the Stone Center, Wellesley Center for Women (WCW) at Wellesley College. 

Susan is a published author and holds an earned doctorate in educational administration. She has served as consultant/advisor/educator to boards of trustees, executive leaders, faculty, families, and students, and has traveled extensively as a conference speaker and trainer nationwide.

My name is Malcolm Boone. I’m a former professional basketball player turned elementary school teacher and mental health advocate. During my seven year stint as a third grade educator both in New York City and now at Rabun Gap Nacoochee School, I began noticing the power of mindfulness and affirmations; two components that were strategically integrated into my classrooms throughout the school day. Over time, I quickly realized how transformative this routine was for my students’ lives both inside and outside of school. This year, I’ve stepped into a new position as Coordinator of Lower School Health and Wellness where I’ve introduced The BAMM Program to kids. The focus is on Breathwork, Affirmations, Mindfulness, and Movement. I’ve made it my life’s mission to share this messaging with as many individuals as possible to help them enhance their holistic well-being!

Coming soon.

Michele King began her work as Charlotte Latin School’s first Director of Student Support Wellness in January of 2024. Her current charge is bringing Goal 3 of Charlotte Latin’s current strategic plan, Community Wellness, to life.

Prior to joining Charlotte Latin, Michele served for 22 years in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools as a School Social Worker, School Social Work Program Manager and Director of Student Wellness and Academic Support. Her career also includes contributions in the fields of developmental disabilities and clinical mental health services. She believes wholeheartedly that we must place value on social, emotional and other wellness related learning in the same way we do for our student’s academic experiences.

Originally from Long Island, NY, Michele holds degrees from the State University of NY, College
at Oswego (B.A. Psychology), Adelphi University (M.S.W), and Lenoir Rhyne University (M.A.
School Counseling). She maintains N.C. licenses in clinical social work, school social work, and
school counseling.

In her free time Michele enjoys reading, spending time with friends, family and dogs, and
listening to live music with her husband Jon.

Shelton Parks, a native of Harmony, North Carolina, has been an educator for 13 years. He began his career in 2012 as a teaching intern at Blue Ridge School in Cashiers, North Carolina, where he taught Health and Physical Education and served as an assistant basketball coach. In the spring of 2013, Shelton graduated from Western Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science in Education.

In the fall of 2013, Shelton took on the roles of head basketball coach and assistant
athletic director at Newton-Conover Middle School. Two years later, in 2015, he moved
to Winston-Salem and joined Mt. Tabor High School, where he served as a teacher
and coach for varsity football, varsity and junior varsity lacrosse, and junior varsity
basketball. During his time in the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools, Shelton
was selected as one of five educators to develop and implement the district’s Life
Management Skills curriculum.

In 2018, Shelton returned to Iredell County, where he took on multiple roles at Third
Creek Middle School, serving as a teacher, coach, athletic director, department chair,
and dean of students. During this time, he also contributed to the lacrosse and
basketball programs at Forsyth Country Day School as a coach.

In the summer of 2020, Shelton joined the UNC-Charlotte Iredell County Cohort for
the Master of School Administration program. He completed his master's internship
at Forsyth Country Day School as an administrative fellow. He graduated in the
spring of 2023 with a Master’s in School Administration, earning licensure in
curriculum and instruction in the state of North Carolina.

In 2023, Shelton officially joined the staff at Forsyth Country Day School as the
Assistant Director of Wellness and Belonging. He now serves as the Assistant
Director of the Upper School and member of the Wellness and Belonging Team,
where he enjoys working closely with students and faculty.

Carly is a nationally certified school psychologist with over eight years of experience. Carly attended Western Kentucky University for undergraduate and graduate studies, earning a Specialist of Education degree and was recognized as the Outstanding Graduate Student for her cohort. Carly has been a school psychologist in NC for eight years, serving neighboring school districts to Charlotte including Rowan Salisbury, Fort Mill, and Cabarrus County. Carly has also provided therapy and support to schools across the country through a virtual therapy group. While Carly enjoys working with all ages, her passion and specialty includes helping our littlest of learners - preschoolers. She is a big believer of the impact and power of early intervention. Carly’s published research has focused on social emotional needs in this age group. Carly now runs school partnerships for Lumate Health, enabling her to leverage her school-based experience to connect with others through training and support.