Finding More Than a Career as Houseparents: How We Built a Life at Milton Hershey School

By Brit and Pedro Maciel

When people ask us why we became houseparents at Milton Hershey School, the answer starts with a simple goal: we wanted to spend more time together.

Before coming to MHS, Brit spent 10 years as an elementary school teacher, while Pedro worked in several different fields, including marketing and residential life at a school. We were both doing meaningful work, but like many couples, we often felt like we were passing by each other in the day-to-day busyness of life.

Everything changed when a family member shared an MHS houseparent job posting with us.

As we learned more about the school, we were drawn not only to the houseparent role but also to the mission behind it. We watched videos, researched MHS, and began to imagine what life might look like if we combined our careers, our family life, and our desire to make a difference into one shared purpose.

Moving to Hershey, Pennsylvania was a major change. We relocated from Louisiana, more than 1,000 miles away from familiar surroundings and close family connections. Like anyone making a move of that size, we had questions about what life would be like in a new place. We found something much bigger than a job.

As we train to be placed permanently in a student home, we serve as tri-flex houseparents, rotating between three student homes and supporting both boys and girls in Elementary Division. The role allows us to work closely with dozens of students while also supporting full-time houseparent couples. Every three days brings a new environment, new challenges, and new opportunities to build relationships.

One of the things that surprised us most was the scale of MHS. It’s difficult to fully understand until you’re here. Everywhere you look, dedicated employees work together to support students. Whether it’s fellow houseparents, trainers, supervisors, teachers, or countless other staff members, everyone is united by a shared mission.

Perhaps even more surprising was the community we found.

When we moved to Pennsylvania, we worried about leaving our support network behind. Instead, we quickly became part of a new one. Through our onboarding cohort, Bible studies, social activities, and everyday interactions with fellow houseparents, we developed friendships that have become an important part of our lives.

The houseparent role can be difficult to explain to others because it isn’t simply a job you leave behind at the end of the day. It’s a lifestyle centered on relationships, mentorship, and community. The people around you understand the role because they’re living it too. They celebrate your successes, help you navigate challenges, and offer support when you need it.

Most importantly, they help you grow.

One lesson we’ve learned at MHS is that no one arrives knowing everything. Whether you’re new to houseparenting or have experience working with children, there is always something to learn. For us, becoming houseparents has been about much more than a career change. It’s been an opportunity to grow together as a couple, raise our family in a purpose-driven community, and play a small part in a mission that has transformed students’ lives for more than a century.