Paula Zavell Rollins ('71)
Paula Zavell Rollins (Class of 1971) has a passion for bringing people together. The longtime Beachwood resident has dedicated her life to serving others as an educator, mother, and community volunteer. Since 2003, Paula has led the Gallery of Success program, which recognizes distinguished alumni who give back for the greater good and embody the spirit of Beachwood Schools. “Beachwood grads have achieved amazing things locally, nationally, and internationally,” Paula said. “All Gallery of Success candidates have at least one qualification to be selected: leadership, service, humanitarianism, creativity, courage, and career contributions that have benefited others.”
This fall, Paula is excited to launch the nomination process for the 2024 Gallery of Success inductees. She will guide a selection committee composed of alumni, community members, staff, and current students as they review nominations for candidates who exemplify the District’s mission to “develop intellectual entrepreneurs with a social conscience.” Inductees will be honored at a special ceremony in April, where they will have an opportunity to meet and mentor high school students. So far, 139 honorees have been recognized since the program’s inception in 1985. “I am honored to meet these amazing people, learn their stories, and promote them to the community,” said Paula.
Paula’s passion for highlighting the success stories of alumni stems from her fond memories of attending Beachwood Schools from first through 12th grade. “I loved my years as a student at Beachwood Schools, both academically and socially,” she said. “With the district being the size that it was, there was always a lot of personal attention given by teachers as well as a variety of classes and extracurricular activities available.”
Paula graduated from Beachwood High School in 1971. She attended the University of Cincinnati, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Communications and a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education. She combined her interests in education and writing to work as a high school English teacher and student newspaper advisor at Cincinnati’s Forest Park High School.
In 1979, Paula and her husband Mike returned to Cleveland, where she taught English and served as the student newspaper advisor at Shaker Heights High School until the birth of their first child in 1982. “Beachwood afforded me an excellent college-preparatory education,” she said. “Mike and I wanted our children to experience the same type of education, so we chose to move to Beachwood.”
While raising her daughter and son, Paula enjoyed volunteering in their schools and the community. She headed a host of programs, projects, and civic organizations – excelling as a connector, communicator, and relationship-builder. “I love giving back to the Beachwood community and schools that have given so much to our family,” said Paula. “Beachwood is a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.”