Including the spring and summer, there are 22 Meher Schools staff members who attended the school as children. We asked this special group a few questions, and some of their responses are shared below. This is part 2 of 3. Stay tuned for more responses next week!
What is something that you learned at The Meher Schools that stuck with you?
Kyle LaMay, elementary aftercare teacher: I learned about kindness toward others and about having a strong work ethic. (Because of fifth grade, I did really well academically in sixth grade and beyond.)
Warren Wallace, director of admissions: Treat everyone with kindness. Try your best at every single thing you do.
Ivy Summers, elementary co-principal: The general principles of trying your best, learning/growing by working with other people (rather than competing against them), and having a beautiful and organized environment.
Amy Weinstein, elementary theater teacher: I learned that what other people think of me doesn't matter as much as what I think of myself.
Chloe Gilmore, kindergarten teacher: To come at everything you do with love. To consider the importance of love in as many areas of life as possible. It has taken me so far.
Vince d’Assis, elementary co-principal: Every person has value. Even if you can't see it on the surface, it's there.
Beatrice Lindemuth, preschool and elementary substitute teacher: The importance of the arts, the value of nature, and how to be respectful and accepting of all people.
Adrienne Wallace, garden teacher: Be accepting of everyone, no matter what.
What is something from the school that made you who you are today?
Hannah Anderson, D.R.A.M.A. Camp teacher: My love of animals and art both started at The Meher Schools in the form of nature walks and always being encouraged to draw, and I am now trying to double-major in both at college.
Catherine Thompson, elementary P.E. teacher: I had a solid core of inner strength from my time at the school. It was buried for a while, but it surfaced when I needed it the most. I have always been able to count on the fact that I am worthy of love and have something to offer to the world, because of my time at the school.
Vince d’Assis: The messages in the songs stuck with me. I didn't register them consciously until much later in life, but the values we sang about became a part of my being.
Amy Weinstein: The school always teaches kindness and friendship. Finding friendship in unlikely places and creating bonds with people who you may not usually hang out with is a huge part of what it means to go to The Meher Schools.
Kyle LaMay: Learning how to be compassionate toward others.
Anna Parker, preschool teacher: I’m observant and that helps me in my job.
Chloe Gilmore: The drama program and chorus were huge for me. People probably couldn't see that because I was still so shy, but on the inside I was incredibly proud of the parts I was given and the professionalism with costuming, makeup, and lighting.
Rohan Iyer, D.R.A.M.A. Camp volunteer: The ideals and morals that I was instilled with, and the memories of the friends and teachers I had there shaped who I was as a person.
Check back next week for more in our third and final installment of the alumni staff interviews.