Going once! Going twice! OMG! We just won — THE PRINCIPAL!

Our auction-winning private lunch of pizza, salad and vanilla ice cream with caramel topping was served by Mrs. Gaylord Herself in her office at Park Avenue Elementary School in Auburn while my six-year-old twins Johnny (boy) and Charlie (girl) asked the following questions:

1) Do you live at school?

(Smiles) I spend most of my time at school, but I actually live at home with my husband.

2) Our mom said her principal was very strict. How come you are not strict?

Well, because it doesn’t work! Being strict doesn’t feel like a partnership to me. I expect a lot of my students, but they know I am always there to help them.

3) What’s the best thing about being a principal?

Being with kids every day!

4) The worst thing?

PAPERWORK!! (Laughs)

5) Do you get to choose the teachers? What was it about Mrs. Dube, our kindergarten teacher, that made you pick her to teach at our school?

I am one of the people who chooses. Recommendations are made to the superintendent and the school committee. I chose Mrs. Dube because she loves to teach and she accepts every child for who and where they are.

6) You always dress so nicely. What is your favorite outfit?

Definitely my gold sequined shirt! It makes everyone smile!

7) Do you have any allergies?

Yes — to animal hair.

8) What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving. Favorite color? Pink! Animal? Hippopotamus. Favorite kind of music? 60’s rock and roll!

9) What is your favorite place to visit? And where would you love to go?

I love going to my camp on China Lake. I would love to visit Alaska and, someday, Africa!

10) What was your favorite book when you were in kindergarten? “Curious George.” He always made me laugh!

11) Who was your best friend when you were little? Do you still see her?

Lisa Bowen. She was my neighbor and she had pretty, bright-red hair. We are still in touch — though not as often as I’d like.

12) Did you ever get in trouble when you were in kindergarten?

You are asking me to remember that far back! I once got in trouble because I was talking when the teacher was talking…

13) Do you have any particular memories from kindergarten?

(Pauses) I was shy. I was also tiny and the doors were heavy. I would wait for someone to open the door so I could slip through! I am very sensitive to making things accessible to all children.

14) What kind of books did you read as you got older?

Historical fiction. I also love reading about presidents, like Washington and Lincoln. Now I read mostly about education and mental health.

15) How many years of school does it take to become a principal? After college, you get a master’s degree, then teach for a few years and get your endorsement. Then it’s back to school for a couple of years to become an assistant principal before you can become the principal. So, more than 10 years!

16) If you weren’t a principal, what would you be? A psychiatrist. My heart goes out to people who need that kind of help. I also think we need more advocates for good mental-health services.

17) What do you do when a kid gets in trouble?

I talk to him or her. We listen to each other and we solve the problem together.

18) What is your favorite room in the school? And is there a secret room in the school that no one knows about — ‘TIL NOW?

I love the gym because it’s where we can all gather to sing and dance and celebrate together. There IS a secret storage area — for chairs I, think — but it hasn’t been opened in eight years!

19) What is your favorite school lunch?

DEFINITELY the rotelle pasta with sauce and Parmesan cheese on top — yummy! The ladies who make the lunch know it’s my favorite!

20) What is your wish for our school?

(Smiles) I wish that every child would have the opportunity to reach their potential. And to love to learn every day of their lives.

I watched as Johnny and Charlie gave Mrs. Gaylord a big, happy hug, and I thought, we didn’t just win the auction. We hit the jackpot.

Lisa Mayer, writer and musician, moved up here one year ago from New York City, when her husband, Sruli Dresdner, became the Rabbi of Temple Shalom in Auburn. The whole family is totally in love with Maine, despite not yet seeing even one moose.

Dresdner Twins