Keynotes and Professional Development

Mike delivers high-impact keynotes and interactive workshops designed to spark inspiration, drive engagement, and get your audience on their feet. Explore his featured offerings below to find the perfect fit for your next event.
Here is a sampling of Mike's past clients:
  • Cass Lake-Bena Schools (Cass Lake, MN )
  • Spruce Tree Montessori School (Fairbanks, AK)
  • Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (Charlotte, NC)
  • English Montreal School Board (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
  • Stonegate Elementary (Zionsville, IN)
  • New York City Department of Education (New York, NY)
  • RSU 18 School District (Oakland, ME)
  • Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District (Houston, TX)
  • The American School in Japan (Tokyo, Japan)
  • Challenge Charter School (Glendale, AZ)
  • Santa Cruz County School District (Nogales, AZ)
  • Poudre School District (Fort Collins, CO)
  • Westport Schools (Westport, CT)
  • United Jewish Federation (Stamford, CT)
  • Caroline County (MD) Public Schools
  • Montgomery County (MD) Public Schools
  • Boston Public Schools (Boston, MA)
  • Bell Academy (Boyle, MS)
  • Canton Public Schools (Canton, MS)
  • George County Schools (Lucedale, MS)
  • New Albany School District (New Albany, MS)
  • Newton Municipal School District (Newton, MS)
  • Port Washington Schools (Port Washington, NY)
  • Office of Healthy Schools of the Mississippi State Department of Education
  • Clark County School District (Las Vegas, NV)
  • San Juan College (Farmington, NM)
  • North Dakota Department of Public Instruction
  • Olentangy Local Schools (Lewis Center, OH)
  • Putnam City Schools  (Oklahoma City, OK)
  • Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Doylestown, PA)
  • Pennsbury School District (Fallsington, PA)
  • Manheim Central School District (Manheim, PA)
  • Phoenixville School District  (Phoenixville, PA)
  • Owen J. Roberts School District (Pottstown, PA)
  • Spring Ford Area Schools (Royersford, PA)
  • Governor Mifflin School District (Shillington, PA)
  • Haddonfield Public Schools (Haddonfield, NJ)
  • ​Mt. Holly Public Schools (Mt. Holly, NJ)
  • Memphis City Schools (Memphis, TN)
  • The Harding Academy (Nashville, TN)
  • Hebrew Academy of Tidewater (Virginia Beach, VA)
  • Bethel School District  (Spanaway, WA)
  • The Janus School (Mt. Joy, PA)
  • Amity Elementary School (Douglassville, PA)
  • Ridgewood Public Schools (Ridgewood, NJ)
  • Wells-Ogunquit Community School District (Wells, ME)

The Kinesthetic Classroom: Teaching and Learning through Movement (Keynote)

Mike’s Most Requested Keynote for Educators, Administrators, Board Members and Education Stakeholders
This best-selling book, graduate course and professional development workshop is also a WOW! keynote experience for thousands of teachers, administrators and educational conference goers across the United States.  Not your normal keynote, the audience will be engaged from the word “Go!” The very fundamentals of best teaching practice  are engaged in a fun and interactive way.  This has got to be experienced to be appreciated!  
A great way to start off the school year, create energy at a mid-year day of professional development, send-off to summer planning or to create a vibe at any educational conference!

​Your educators, administrators, and school stakeholders leave this results-driven program able to:
  • understand why movement is critical in the teaching and learning process
  • recognize the advantage of students who are physically fit and moving during academic time
  • implement the six-step framework for using movement thoughtfully and purposefully at all grade levels and in all content areas
The Kinesthetic Classroom: Teaching and Learning through Movement is a brain-based approach to teaching and learning that helps teachers move from the traditional self-view of “teacher” to a new paradigm of “facilitator of learning” and “designer of the learning environment." Teachers will not only leave with dozens of immediately usable strategies for k-12 classrooms across all disciplines, they will gain a more focused understanding of how the brain learns and a working knowledge of a 6-part theoretical framework for thoughtfully and purposefully using movement in order to raise student achievement. The 6-part framework includes (1) preparing the brain to learn, (2) using brain breaks, (3) supporting exercise and fitness, (4) creating class cohesion, (5) reviewing content using movement and (6)teaching content using movement. The key to the training is the hands-on involvement of the teachers themselves; teachers experience the transformation of theory and research into practical application in an exciting manner.
"Mike Kuczala is the perfect speaker.  He knows his topic and the information just flows as he talks about movement and learning. Plus we moved and learned as part of his keynote talk; how fun and engaging is that!  Mike is the “go to guy” when you want information about movement and learning.”

- Patricia Morrison,  Former Executive Director SHAPE Colorado

The Peak Performing Teacher: 5 Habits for Success (Keynote) 

Cultivating focus, re-energizing oneself, and improving daily habits are essential for educators’ well-being and the good that they pass along to students. An educators’ greatest tool is a mirror—in it, teachers will find their greatest advocate for personal growth, power, wellness, and vision: themselves.

However, finding the time to implement new habits can be hard. Because small changes are easier to plan for and realize, this professional development concentrates on the habits that are most likely to yield significant improvements and guides educators in meaningful self-reflection by providing:
  • Five critical practices to increase productivity and decrease anxiety including living the physical life, managing stress through changing your mind, practicing gratitude, morning routine creation, personal mission development, and goal setting
  • Hands-on experience in the five practices that guide participants in developing self-care strategies
  • Practical checklists and templates to help educators maintain goals
​
Grounded in new research connecting personal change to professional improvement, Mike’s approach to well-being builds a bridge between mind and body to create a comprehensive path for success.
“Mike – It should be me that is sending you the “thank you” . . . so many remarked that it was the best professional development workshop they ever attended . . . no small feat!”
—Seminar Attendee

The Story of My Physical Literacy (Keynote)

​​"The Story of My Physical Literacy" is meant to educate, inspire and move health and physical education professionals to action from my own personal perspective.  ​
The premise of the talk is how physical literacy plays a key role in not only the physical quality of one's life but the emotional, personal, and professional quality as well.  As I look back over my life, several key decisions and successes were preceded by quality, life changing physical experiences.

This is all tied together through stressing the importance of physical literacy for all students, highlighting how health and physical educators are a critical component in any school district, building or classroom, and how all health and physical educators are uniquely positioned to help students create a successful life.
“I was blown away listening to Mike’s Keynote talk at CAHPERD’s ‘Our Time 2019’ conference.  He put it all out there!!  He left himself vulnerable and he was completely honest about it.  It was authentic, genuine and real.  His ‘physical literacy journey’ was pure emotion and the entire audience was blessed to hear it.  It made me reflect on my own physical literacy journey as it relates to my children.  It was engaging, interactive, funny and effective all rolled up and delivered perfectly.  Mike took the risk and he delivered!!!" 
 
Tim Hamel
2018 – 2019 President, CAHPERD

Professional Development Workshops

As the Chief Executive Officer for the Regional Training Center, the mid-Atlantic leader in graduate education course offerings, Mike is an expert on educational professional development.  He has taught more than 70 graduate courses, facilitated hundreds of days of professional development, designed or co-designed 3 graduate education courses, regularly speaks at state, regional, and national conferences, and supervises more than 125 graduate education instructors in three states who in total teach more than 20 different face to face and online courses.

Mike’s presentations are consistently rated at the highest levels and he is often asked for return engagements.  He will work with your district, or organization, to custom create the most memorable professional development your educational staff has ever experienced. The following are Mike’s most requested topics for professional development:

The Kinesthetic Classroom (Workshop)

​The Kinesthetic Classroom: Teaching and Learning through Movement is a brain-based approach to teaching and learning that helps teachers move from the traditional self-view of “teacher” to a new paradigm of “facilitator of learning” and “designer of the learning environment." Teachers will not only leave with dozens of immediately usable strategies for k-12 classrooms across all disciplines, they will gain a more focused understanding of how the brain learns and a working knowledge of a 6-part theoretical framework for thoughtfully and purposefully using movement in order to raise student achievement. The 6-part framework includes (1) preparing the brain to learn, (2) using brain breaks, (3) supporting exercise and fitness, (4) creating class cohesion, (5) reviewing content using movement and (6)teaching content using movement. The key to the training is the hands-on involvement of the teachers themselves; teachers experience the transformation of theory and research into practical application in an exciting manner.
"For the past three years, Mike Kuczala has provided our district with high-quality, meaningful professional development on critical topics expertly tailored to the needs of our staff members. Mike’s sessions are consistently well-received, with teachers across the PK-12 spectrum expressing positive feedback and requesting follow-on sessions."

Dr. Dyanne Kerecman 
Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning (Retired)
Haddonfield (NJ) Public Schools

The Peak Performing Teacher: 5 Habits for Success (Workshop) 

Cultivating focus, re-energizing oneself, and improving daily habits are essential for educators’ well-being and the good that they pass along to students. An educators’ greatest tool is a mirror—in it, teachers will find their greatest advocate for personal growth, power, wellness, and vision: themselves.

However, finding the time to implement new habits can be hard. Because small changes are easier to plan for and realize, this professional development concentrates on the habits that are most likely to yield significant improvements and guides educators in meaningful self-reflection by providing:
  • Five critical practices to increase productivity and decrease anxiety including living the physical life, managing stress through changing your mind, practicing gratitude, morning routine creation, personal mission development, and goal setting
  • Hands-on experience in the five practices that guide participants in developing self-care strategies
  • Practical checklists and templates to help educators maintain goals
​
Grounded in new research connecting personal change to professional improvement, Mike’s approach to well-being builds a bridge between mind and body to create a comprehensive path for success.

Wired to Move: Harnessing Movement to Support Students with ADHD (Workshop) 

Students with ADHD are not broken—they are wired differently. This dynamic and highly interactive professional development session explores how the brain-body connection can be leveraged to improve attention, regulation, and academic success. Grounded in neuroscience and classroom practice, participants will discover why movement is not a distraction but a powerful support for the ADHD brain. Teachers will leave with practical, immediately usable strategies that help students channel energy productively, strengthen executive function, and increase engagement—without adding more to their already full plates. When we stop fighting movement and start using it intentionally, we create classrooms where all learners can thrive.

Staff and Student Motivation

Through Mike’s research and study about the brain and motivation he has designed the graduate course Motivation: The Art and Science of Inspiring Classroom Success and custom builds motivation seminars and workshops based on 9 motivational insights that improve classroom climate, instruction, and academic achievement.  Motivation as it applies to the teaching and learning process are experienced: basic human needs, the driving force behind all human behavior, inspiration and peak performance, energizing classroom strategies, and frameworks that encourage change and achievement.
Recent Educational Conference Appearances
  • 2026 NJAHPERD Annual Conference, Princeton, NJ (Postponed)
  • 2026 Annual Visible Learning Conference, Nashville, TN (Upcoming)
  • 2025 Wilson (West Lawn ) School District Opening Day, Sinking Spring, PA  (Keynote)
  • 2025 Wilson (West Lawn) School District Day of PD, Sinking Spring, PA (Keynote)
  • 2025 Erie's Public Schools Administrative Mini Conference, Erie, PA (Keynote)
  • 2025 INSHAPE Annual Conference, Indianapolis, IN (Keynote)
  • 2025 Waldwick School District PD Day, Waldwick, NJ (Keynote)
  • 2024 Daily Physical Activity Policy Conference, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador (Lead Speaker)
  • 2024 SCAHPERD Annual Conference, Myrtle Beach, SC (Keynote)
  • 2024 Leonia School District Opening Day, Leonia, NJ (Keynote)
  • 2024 SC FitnessGram Annual Summit, Myrtle Beach, SC (Keynote)
  • 2024 SHAPE Idaho Annual Conference, Boise, ID (Keynote)
  • 2024 Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds Conference, Pottstown, PA (Keynote)
  • 2024 East Asia Regional Council of Schools, Bangkok, Thailand (Featured Speaker)
  • 2024 Dutch International Primary Schools Conference (Completed Virtually - Featured Speaker)
  • 2024 SHAPE NJ Annual Conference, Princeton, NJ
  • 2023 Active Schools National Summit, Greeley, CO (Keynote)
  • 2023 Bergen County (NJ) Curriculum Consortium (Keynote)
  • 2023 Arizona Health and Physical Education State Convention, Phoenix, AZ   (Keynote)
  • 2023 AMLE National Conference, National Harbor, MD (Session Presentation)
  • 2023 Region 16 Summer Conference, Amarillo, TX (Keynote)
  • 2023 New Hanover County Schools, Wilmington, NC (Keynote)
  • 2022 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Leadership Conference, Charlotte, NC (Keynote)
  • 2022 The Leadership Committee for English Education Annual Conference, Laval, Quebec (Featured Speaker)
  • 2022 NC SHAPE Annual Convention, Winston-Salem, NC (Keynote)
  • 2022 Action For Healthy Kids Conference, Chicago, IL (Keynote)
  • 2022 ConnectedPE Online Conference (Featured Speaker)
  • 2022 Eastern Seaboard Region of the National Academy of Health and Physical Literacy (Keynote)
  • 2022 SHAPE NJ Annual Conference, Long Branch, NJ
  • 2022 NC SHAPE Virtual Convention
  • 2021 Summer Institute – FMU Center of Excellence to Prepare Teachers of Children and Poverty Online Professional Learning Series (Completed Virtually – Keynote)
  • 2021 Educational Collaborative for International Schools PE Conference (completed virtually – Featured Speaker)
  • 2021 Nassau Zone of NYSAHPERD (completed virtually – Featured Speaker)
  • 2021 Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds Institute, Pottstown, PA (completed virtually - Featured Speaker)
  • 2021 Rhythm and Moves Conference, San Francisco, CA (completed virtually - Featured Speaker)
  • 2021 Connecticut AHPERD Conference, Southbury, CT (Keynote)
  • 2021 New Hampshire AHPERD Conference, Waterville Valley, NH (Keynote)
  • 2020 Maryland State Education Association Conference (completed virtually – Featured Speaker)
  • 2020 NC SHAPE Virtual Convention
  • 2020 Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds Institute, Pottstown, PA (completed virtually - Featured Speaker)
  • 2020 Rhythm and Moves Conference, San Francisco, CA (completed virtually - Keynote)
  • 2020 The Leadership Committee for English Education Annual Conference, Laval, Quebec (Featured Speaker)
  • 2020 PhysEd Camp, SHAPE MD, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD (Featured Speaker)
  • 2020 NJAHPERD Annual Conference, Long Branch, NJ (Keynote)
  • 2020 Educational Collaborative for International Schools, Madrid, Spain (completed virtually - Featured Speaker)
  • 2020 Konvent, Skola, Halsa & Inlarning 2020, Stockholm, Sweden (Postponed until 2021 - Featured Speaker)
  • 2020 Region 16, Special Education Camp, Amarillo, TX (completed virtually - Featured Speaker)
  • 2020 ChargedUP Education Online Conference (Featured Presenter)
  • ​2019 Missouri Coordinated School Health Coalition - Columbia, MO (Featured Speaker) 
  • 2019 Rhythm and Moves Conference - San Francisco, CA (Keynote)
  • 2019 Region One Early Childhood Conference - Padre Island, TX (Keynote)
  • 2019 ECISPE Conference -  Barcelona, Spain (Keynote)
  • 2019 California AHPERD Conference - Garden Grove, CA (Keynote)
  • 2019 Move2Learn Summit - Alexandria, VA (Featured Speaker)
  • 2018 Oklahoma AHPERD, Edmond, OK (Keynote)
  • 2018 Lancaster-Lebanon Health, Physical Education and Wellness Conference (Keynote)
  • 2018 Educational Collaborative for International Schools PE Conference - Dusseldorf (Keynote)
  • 2018 Mind-Body Education Conference - 1440 Multiversity - Scotts Valley, CA (Keynote)
  • 2017 ConnectedPE Online Conference
  • 2017 New Jersey Education Association  - Atlantic City (Keynote)
  • 2017 Association for Middle Level Education  - Philadelphia
  • 2017 Let's Go! 5-2-1-0 Goes to School Symposium - Portland, ME (Keynote)
  • 2017 The Francis Marion University Center of Excellence to Prepare Teachers of Poverty Summer Institute - Florence, SC (Keynote)
  • 2017 AdvancED Wyoming Continuous Improvement Conference - Casper, WY (Keynote)
  • 2017 SHAPE Southern District - Baton Rouge, LA
  • 2016 East Asia Regional Council of Schools - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Keynote)
  • 2016  SHAPE Michigan Conference - Mackinac Island, MI (Keynote)​
  • 2016 Knowledge Resources E-Learning Conference - Johannesburg, South Africa (Keynote)
  • 2016 Healthy Bodies/Healthy Minds Conference - Pottstown, PA (Keynote)
  • 2016 East Asia Regional Council of Schools, Manilla, Philippines (Opening Keynote)
  • 2015  Missouri SHAPE Conference, Lake of the Ozarks, MO (Keynote)
  • 2015 Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds Conference, Pottstown, PA
  • 2015 Capacity Builders National Conference on Cultural Based Nutrition & Fitness for Native American Youth, Farmington, NM (Keynote)
  • 2015 ASCD Houston, TX 
  • 2015 SHAPE Seattle, WA 
  • 2014 NJEA Atlantic City, NJ
  • 2014 Colorado Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, Denver, CO (Keynote)
  • 2014 TEDxAshburn, Ashburn, VA
  • 2013 Empowering Communities for a Healthy Mississippi Conference, Jackson, MS (Keynote)
  • 2013 CCLC Fall Conference, Bismarck, ND
  • 2013 Wellness Summit, Gulfport, MS (Keynote)
  • 2013 American Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, Charlotte, NC
  • 2013 Association for Supervision and Development, Chicago, Illinois
  • ​2013 Minnesota Association of School Boards, Minneapolis, MN​ (Pre-Conference Keynote)