Our Marvelous Teachers

Can you believe it? This is the 15th blog post celebrating all 15 marvelous years of our school – right here inside the Ronald McDonald House. We have loved sharing about our awesome students, the wonderful volunteers and all of the aspects of this special family service. Today, we celebrate the teachers who make this program happen! We are so fortunate to have Cindy Britain as our Teacher and Libby Hoops as our Assistant Teacher. Their styles blend and complement each other in amazing ways and to see them in action is truly remarkable.

In 2006, Mrs. Hoops joined our team. Every day, she brings her calm, soft-spoken nature to the classroom. As she works, Mrs. Hoops uniquely  observes exactly what each student needs. It may be a compliment, guiding him or her to an alternative method, or just the support to master an unfamiliar or challenging task. Mrs. Hoops also brings her insight to staff as we work to determine the most effective way to continue to provide support and guidance to students. Her perspective is so valuable! She has the unique gift of seeing challenges as opportunities. You are a gift to us, Mrs. Hoops! Thank you for your dedication to our mission.



Mrs. Hoops (left) and Mrs. Britain (right) work together to support and nurture RMH students. They are a dream team! :)

Back in 1998, Mrs. Britain joined the RMH team as the first (and only) teacher at our newly opened school. What an awesome day that was! Mrs. Britain has nurtured, cared for and encouraged growth in the program – in the same way as she nurtures, cares for and encourages growth in her students. The enthusiasm Mrs. Britain has for teaching is visible in the faces of each student. They are inspired to learn! Mrs. Britain loves to continually update and build out curriculum for each student. This is no small task, considering new students enroll throughout the year.

Wrapped up in her enthusiasm for teaching and inspiring students to develop a fundamental love of learning, is her love and dedication to each of "her kids." Mrs. B is tuned in to the whole child and works to strike a balance between the emotional and academic health of each student. The circumstances that bring families to stay at the Ronald McDonald House are complex. Students here are experiencing unthinkably difficult realities. Each day, it is Mrs. B's mission for each child to feel loved, supported and successful. This method includes setting high (but attainable!) academic expectations. And...you know what? In the midst of the challenges students face, with the love and support they feel in our classroom, they meet and often surpass these expectations! How amazing is that?!

Thank you, Mrs. Britain! The Ronald McDonald House thanks you and each of the 500+ students whose lives you have touched and changed throughout the past 15 years thanks you! You and Mrs. Hoops are our mission in action.  

Mrs. Britain (above) has been the RMH teacher for the past 15 years – since the school opened!