Falcon Wings Award Winner: Paula Weatherholt

The Parent Faculty Association awarded Assistant Head of School Paula Weatherholt with the August 2026 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 through their dedication and enthusiasm. The PFA donates a book to the library in her honor.

At the August 31 PFA meeting, Weatherholt was described as the person students turn to, colleagues count on, and families trust. She is commonly regarded as the “glue,” “backbone,” and “GOAT” of the Upper School, known for combining high expectations with compassion, grace and a genuine commitment to helping students succeed.

A parent of a senior shared, “Paula works hard to understand whatever a student needs and to help them succeed. She also keeps them accountable to being their best selves and balances tough love with grace and compassion. Students respect her and feel connected to her. They know they can go to her and that she genuinely cares. She knows how to laugh and have fun, but the students know when she means business!”

Weatherholt’s ability to make the complicated look easy is a hallmark of her work. Parents, guardians, faculty and students praise her scheduling skills and her ability to balance the needs of hundreds of students, faculty members and courses. But her impact extends well beyond schedules and logistics. She builds relationships that make students feel supported while encouraging them to meet high standards.

One student summed up that impact best: “Whatever you do, meet Mrs. Weatherholt as soon as you can. You will love her, and she will take care of you.”

Head of Upper School Abby Abbott had this to say about Weatherholt: “Paula is someone I can count on for anything. Need someone to cover a class, she’s on it. Need someone to research the best ping pong balls for the Commons, already done! Need someone to do something super complicated with the schedule/class teaching assignments/student rosters – she’s your girl. Her work ethic and commitment to the school are part of the glue that holds us together as an institution, and what makes it special. Perhaps one of the things I admire the most about Paula is that she enforces high standards, holds kids accountable, and does so in a way that leaves the relationship intact, perhaps making it stronger. She’s a rockstar.”

Know a teacher or staff member who soars above and beyond the call of duty to enhance PFA programs or events, or has improved the greater FWCD community through their dedication and enthusiasm? Nominate them for a Falcon Wings Award! The award recognizes faculty and staff whose dedication and enthusiasm make a meaningful difference at FWCD. Nominations for the 2026-27 school year are now open. Each honoree receives a certificate and a book donated to the Lower School Library in their name. Submit nominations through the Falcon Wings Form on the Community Hub. Questions? Contact Rebecca Green at [email protected]. Falcon Wings recipients are honored at each PFA Board Meeting and shared in the FWCD Update.