October Falcon Wings Honoree
FWCD’s Parent Faculty Association awarded Sixth Grade Science Teacher Debbie Schofield with the October 2025 Falcon Wings honor. Falcon Wings recognize PFA volunteers, FWCD teachers or staff who soar above and beyond the call of duty to enhance PFA programs or events or have improved the greater FWCD community by their dedication and enthusiasm. A book is donated to the FWCD in recognition of the honoree.
Allison Cobb, Falcon Wings Chair, shared the following information at the October 20 PFA meeting:
“This teacher’s classroom is filled with both laughter and learning. A clear, hands-on teaching style and genuine connection with students make their classroom come alive and ensure every child feels capable and inspired.” ~ Christy Allen, Mom to Walker ’31 and Rhodes ’33)
“My son had this amazing teacher as an advisor last year. Not only is she a great teacher, but she also encourages each child to do their best, not just academically, but as a productive member of society. She truly cares about each student for who they are and is an amazing partner with parents through this journey called middle school. She takes the time to listen to her students, even mine, whose stories are HOURS long; she takes genuine interest in their activities and passions. She is also thoughtful with regard to the whole family. At parent-teacher conferences, she had an area set up just for younger siblings to color and play in, in case they had to come along that day. Our younger child cannot WAIT to be in middle school, and a lot is because he knows he can visit this teacher whenever and hang out in her room! FWCD middle school is an amazing place, and this teacher is such a bright light to those students. I hope she can see how much she’s done for ALL of her students over the years she’s been at FWCD!” ~ Allison Cobb, Mom to William ’31 and Alexander ’35
“How could anyone not develop a love of earth science when surrounded by a classroom filled with volcanoes, rock cycles, fossils, and minerals. For 32 years at FWCD (this is her 32nd year), Mrs. Schofield has ignited an interest and passion for the earth. It makes total sense because Debbie has always been an outdoors person her entire life, as a horsewoman and Director of Environmental Leadership Program at Mo Ranch in the Hill Country. She shares her love of our planet with her students (and anyone else around her).
Every year, she takes sixth grade on a journey back in time by hunting for fossils at Benbrook Lake, proof that we live in an area that was once a shallow sea. You should see their faces when students find a fossil and they rush to Mrs. Schofield to show their treasure!
The secrets of the earth continue to be revealed when they explore Inner Space Caverns in Austin. Many of our students have never been to a cave or seen a tiny bat nestled in a niche in the cave ceiling. Simply put, Mrs. Schofield makes learning engaging and fun: from playing review baseball to prepping for a major exam, to helping students graduate with a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate in Geology (rocks) from Scho University. Her students are so motivated to get an advanced degree!
Beyond the classroom, Mrs. Schofield has been the trip planner extraordinaire! Did you know that she has been the sole planner for the massive and memorable eighth grade trip to Big Bend? Imagine making all the reservations for every location, planning all the meals, shopping for lunch supplies, arranging for buses, and having to pivot on the fly to deal with last-minute changes — all while ensuring that every student and faculty member experiences a safe yet unforgettable trip. And that doesn’t account for all the work and supervision she provides while ON the trip! Although she has retired from most of those planning responsibilities, it is important to note that all the “to-dos” that she used to complete solo are now assumed by MULTIPLE teachers.
But Mrs. Schofield’s trip planning hasn’t stopped for the sixth grade trip to Austin. The sixth grade trip is a fun-filled transitional trip that helps our younger middle schoolers become confident in spending multiple nights away from home, during which they must manage their money, learn how to awaken on time, and travel as a group in our state’s capital. Each year, she tweaks the trip to ensure students are both learning and having fun.
You can’t speak about our superhero without recognizing the gift she gives daily—devouring her lunch in 15 minutes and donating her post-lunch peaceful recovery time to help and supervise dozens of Middle School students who invade her classroom. She opens her lab to any Middle School student who needs to complete an assignment that was forgotten or needs to work ahead because of a busy post-school schedule. Imagine supervising dozens of students as they work, ensuring a quiet environment, and making sure they are using their iPads for good! Mrs. Schofield’s classroom is the most popular post-lunch hot spot in the building!
Finally, we must understand why Mrs. Schofield is a wonder woman; it’s because of who she is as a person: strong, reliable, down-to-earth, funny, and passionate about being a team player. She is the “mom” of the sixth-grade team—providing advice, guidance, laughter and creative ideas. When we need a team-building game or idea for building community, she is our recreation director! She is also a loving “mom” to her advisees. Mrs. Schofield is a warm nurturer who can not only help a student reflect on their behavior but also provide the all-important loving push when a child needs to get back on track.” ~ Shari Lincoln, Sixth Grade English and History Teacher
