Staff Interview
with Ecstatic Meistey by Caroleen Cohen
After commencing my interview with Ms. Meister, I quickly had a smile on my face. It must be contagious because when Ms. Meister smiles, I smile! Her quirky yet affectionate personality can put anyone in a good mood. ‘Meistey’ has been a critical and meaningful part of Vanguard for over ten years now! It’s clear for anyone to see how crucial and fitting Meistey is at our school. I couldn’t think of somebody with better intentions or a bigger heart to take her place. During the interview I realized how much she reminds me of my mother; she is both an inspirational and artistic women. We truly are lucky to have such an optimistic teacher such as Ms. Meister at our school.
Q: How lucky are you and why?
Ms. Meister: I’m very lucky and i’m not sure why. I consider it the luck of the Irish.
Q: If you were on an island what monster would you run into?
Ms. Meister: A bear! I don’t know if you could consider that a monster, but Mr. Kain saw a bear in Canada and I thought it was the coolest thing. Oh! And an eagle! Are those monsters?
Q: What is the best gift you’ve ever given or received?
Ms. Meister: I got the best christmas present, his name is Joseph Carl Meister, Jr. They gave me him in a christmas stocking. I love to hang up the stocking every christmas!
*I don’t think I’ve ever felt so warm and fuzzy hearing an answer as sweet as that!!
Q: What is your least favorite thing about humanity?
Ms. Meister: Mean people. Mean people suck. There’s never a reason to be mean to a person. It’s easier to be nice and it fills your bucket. Being serious is my biggest challenge. Life is too short to take it seriously.
Q: If you were eighty years old what would you tell your children?
Ms. Meister: Go easy I’m old or I’m not dead yet! You have to live while you’re alive. You can still get outrageous at 80. You’re 80, not dead!
Q: Do you want students to like you?
Ms. Meister: Of course I want students to like me. It’s important. If they don’t like me I don’t think I’m doing my job.
Q: Do you have any good quotes from your parents or students you’ve crossed paths with?
Ms. Meister: My dad used to say, “Good is the day you learn something new” and “ All things in moderation.”
Q: What song best describes your work ethic?
I was startled when Ms. Meister energetically started singing her song choice
Meister: Good day sunshine! I love my job. I get my energy from all these kids. I can’t imagine a better job on the planet earth; even eating chocolate all day. It would be fun but that wouldn’t last too long.
Q: What is your best and worst purchase?
Ms. Meister: My best purchase was randomly shopping all summer long. I ended up storing it away for this past Christmas. It was such a smart move. My worst purchase would be my new iron. It’s really pissing me off. Not a good move on my end. Thanks Bed Bath and Beyond.
Q: What do you think about when you’re alone in your car? Do you jam to your music?
Ms. Meister: I don’t really jam. Mr. Impastato said that I’m the only one he knows who blasts talk radio. If I’m not doing that I’m always making a list, planning ahead, what sauce to put on the pasta.
Q: How many windows are in New York?
Ms. Meister: Eleventy Billion
Q: Could you see yourself attending Vanguard?
Ms. Meister: OH YEAH! This is where I belonged!
Q: Do you focuses on strengths or weaknesses?
Ms. Meister: I focus on weaknesses to make them strengths. I’m a viking with my strengths, so I focus on my weaknesses!
As Ms. Meister and I were parting ways I asked if there was anything else she’d like me to include and she placed her hand on her heart and replied, “I’d like to thank my agent!” and walked away with a laugh.
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