She focused on building self-confidence by doing the “Wonder Woman” pose and sharing daily affirmations. The “Wonder Woman” pose involves placing your hands on your hips, puffing out your chest and lifting your chin like Lynda Carter did as the titular character in the 1970s. LPGA Leadership Academy participants are encouraged to do the stance before any major moments in their life, like a test, game or job interview.

In a time of great uncertainty, Weller used the pose almost daily and also replaced negative self-talk with things that she “can” and “will” do. This shift in mentality played a large part in her personal evolution.

“Luckily, at the time, I realized how much of that male-dominated toxic energy I surrounded myself with, and I made the decision to surround myself instead with so many amazing women that I am still best friends with to this day,” Weller said. “It really was a full reinvention of myself. I’m so proud that I got to a version of myself that I love now, and going through five years of college to get my master’s proved that all my hard work was worth it.”

After college, Weller moved from Pennsylvania to Virginia, where she began teaching at a school for gifted children, something that provided Weller the chance to fully embrace her peacock persona, which is another lesson that comes from the LPGA Leadership Academy.

A major part of the curriculum analyzes the “bird types,” which are personality-based descriptions instructors utilize to help girls better understand themselves and how to work with different types of people. Weller has always been a social peacock, someone who thrives in fast-paced environments and loves meeting people.

The exercise not only highlights the good qualities of each bird but also recommends what each bird type can improve on. After explaining each bird type and their traits, the coaches emphasize that every bird has its own power, and it only grows stronger by understanding where improvements can be made. Weller has fully embraced the idea, using it as her superpower to connect with her third-grade students.

“In my role, I have to be intuitive, lively, all of these things,” Weller said. “It takes a lot of self-confidence to be a teacher, especially for younger students, and that is certainly something I’ve improved upon since high school. I’ve long accepted that I’m a social peacock, and now, I fully embraced that crazy, goofy side of me in the classroom.”

Weller’s classroom is full of personal touches that showcase her authenticity. She has several pieces of Penn State signage throughout the room, but by far her most beloved item is the life-sized cutout of former WWE superstar and actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

“People come into my classroom every day, and they’re like, ‘I think that’s a real person every time I walk by,’” Weller shared with a big grin. “I have a lot of quirks in my classroom that I’m very proud of. They make me the quirky young teacher that I am.”

One In A Million: The Katherine Weller Story

Some might wonder why there’s a life-sized cutout of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in Katherine Weller’s third-grade classroom.

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