By Marisa Dawson, Photos courtesy of Mindy Andrus
Mindy Andrus, a dedicated special education teacher at Bennington South Middle School, has touched the lives of countless students and colleagues over the years with her unwavering commitment and advocacy. Now facing serious health challenges, including the need for a heart transplant, her school community is coming together to support her and her family through an upcoming benefit event.
Andrus, who teaches sixth-grade special education, has long been adored by her students. “Kids love her,” said colleague Kim Stroberg. “She’s a wonderful special ed teacher and the kids just love her… She’s the kind of teacher you want for your own kid. She’s a big advocate.”
Andrus is also a devoted mother to her son Miles, a high school freshman described as “an amazing kid” who is “very musical” and “cares about his mom so much.”
Her health journey began with cancer, which she survived. However, the treatments caused damage to her heart muscle. “She started with medical issues with cancer and survived that,” Stroberg explained. “But sometimes the treatment affects your body in other ways. And in her case, it affected her heart.”
Over the past 15 months, her condition progressed from being winded to full-blown heart failure. Despite doctors advising against it, she tried to continue working at the start of the school year because “she loves her students.”
She is now a candidate for an LVAD (left ventricular assist device) surgery as a bridge to a full heart transplant. “She’s kind of done everything they could possibly do, and this is the last before they can actually do a heart transplant,” said colleague Deirdre Dewald. Dewald noted that Andrus has antibodies making it harder to find a match, complicating the process. After the LVAD, she’ll be off the transplant list for six months to heal.
Andrus remains remarkably positive and selfless. “She’s always been very humble… She puts her kids first. She’s always about Miles, she’s about her students. She doesn’t really think about herself,” Dewald said.
When colleagues first proposed a benefit, Andrus resisted. “She didn’t want it…” Stroberg recalled. They persuaded her by emphasizing the joy of helping: “If you deny us doing this, then you’re denying us the joy of helping you.” The conversation brought tears, highlighting the deep bonds within the school.
In a recent conversation, Andrus opened up about the overwhelming community support she has received. When asked what it has felt like to have so many people rally around her, she said: “It has been overwhelming the best kind of way. It is so hard for me to ask for help, and to have it given before I get to the point of maybe asking for help has blown my mind. I’m in awe everyday.”
Andrus shared what has kept her going through this difficult journey. “I don’t know how positive I am,” she laughed. “They are what pull me through all of this. My son especially. I have to be here to see him graduate, go to college, get married… Call it selfishness, but I don’t want to miss a single moment.” She explained how she feels luck and joy from working with her students and that it hasn’t been easy being away from them. “They make me laugh, make me smile, make me proud. In a way, I guess, I want to make my son and my students proud too,” she said.
For Andrus, teaching is a profound privilege. “Being privileged enough to work with the students I have and watching their wins, is the best thing in the world,” she said. “I can’t wait to see the kids again, and hear how things are going for them and hear all their silly jokes.”
Speaking about her son Miles, Andrus described him with deep affection: “He is amazing. It’s not easy and he does his best to hide his feelings/emotions. He gets that from me. We have always been close and this is just another bump in the road we need to get through.”
Looking ahead to the LVAD surgery, the wait for a donor heart, and life beyond, Andrus was candid about her fears while holding onto hope. “It all terrifies me to be honest. It’s not how I pictured my future at all. But it is what it is, and now we move forward. We had our ‘its not fair’ moment and now we do what we need to do to continue living. I guess what gives me hope is, I’ve beat one life threatening disease, I can do it again. It may not be in the cards for me to live to be 100, but you can be sure every year I do have, will be amazing.”
A committee has organized the event with support from the Bennington Community Foundation, which serves as a fiscal sponsor to ensure donations go directly to Andrus without tax burdens.
Local businesses have generously donated: Hy-Vee for pasta and noodles, Rotella’s for bread, Valentino’s for big pasta bakes, Oscar’s Pizza for salads, Domino’s (delivering ten pizzas), and Papa John’s for coupons, along with many other local donations. The event will feature raffles, silent auctions, baskets, handmade items, gift cards, T-shirts, and QR code donations. Entertainment may include school band or chorus performances.
The Spaghetti Feed and Benefit is scheduled for Friday, February 6, from 6-8 p.m. at Bennington South Middle School. Admission is a free-will donation for food tickets (options include pasta, bakes, salad, and pizza). All proceeds support Andrus and her family with medical expenses, including future transplant-related costs like rejection medications and time off work.
The committee aims high and hopes to have over 200-300 attendees, already being overwhelmed by community generosity. “What I love about Bennington is how they come together,” Stroberg added.
Andrus may be in the hospital during the event, but plans include FaceTiming her, and Miles will attend to represent the family. “It’s not just for her, but it’s for Miles… It’s for her family,” Stroberg said.
The outpouring has deeply moved Andrus, and her determination to return to the classroom remains strong. This benefit celebrates her giving spirit while providing crucial support as she fights for her health, and the chance to be there for her son and students.
To donate now or inquire, contact committee members or the Bennington Community Foundation. The community encourages everyone to attend, donate, or spread the word. The Bennington community shows once again the power of coming together for one of their own.
