Minnetonka’s Cindy Britain Teaches at Unique School at the Ronald McDonald House

In 1979, the Upper Midwest Ronald McDonald House opened in Minneapolis, starting its mission to care for pediatric cancer patients and their families. To help keep patients and siblings together, the house opened a unique on-site school 15 years ago—and they needed a teacher. Cindy Britain answered the call. Britain, who lives in Minnetonka with her husband Doug, loved her teaching job at the Blake School, where daughters Kia and Kaylee were students. But something about the new opportunity intrigued her. “My daughter said, ‘Mom, if this is something that can help these kids and these families, you don’t have a choice,’ ” Britain remembers with a smile.She faced some challenges, including designing a curriculum for a one-room school “just like the old days,” she says. As the only teacher, she needed to meet the needs of kindergarteners and high schoolers alike. “Most of our families are [here] for bone marrow transplants,” Britain explains. “The average stay is about 120 days.”For Britain, identifying the best part of her job is easy. “I love it,” she says simply. “You walk into this house and just feel so much hope and love and joy. [The kids] know what’s important.” She especially loves watching friendships develop between kids who might not even notice each other back home. “They’re all in the same boat. They have been there for each other and supported each other.” Britain insists that she gets back from her job more than she ever gives. “It fills me up every day, and it’s just a great privilege.”