RPV Spotlight: Jennifer Kempin
From Special Education to Education Entrepreneurship: My Journey and Passion for Microschools

Hello PaFEC Community! My name is Jennifer Kempin, and I’m excited to introduce myself as a new member of this fantastic network. I am thrilled to be part of such an inspiring group of education entrepreneurs who are paving the way for more personalized, child-centered learning environments across Pennsylvania. I’d love to share a little bit about my journey, how I came to embrace microschools, and why I’m so passionate about this movement.
My Background in Education
My path in education began with a degree in Special Education. For over a decade, I worked as a Special Education teacher, primarily supporting students with diverse needs in reading and English. During those years, I loved seeing the progress my students made—especially when they were given the right support and attention. However, I also struggled with the limitations placed on me by the public school system. The rigid standards and extensive bureaucracy often left me feeling constrained, like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. I knew that every child learns differently, but I was expected to teach in a way that didn’t honor those individual differences.
The Turning Point: Becoming a Parent
While these challenges in the classroom weighed on me, my opinion of public education didn’t really change until my son started struggling in school.. The real turning point came when my son entered kindergarten. Like many parents, I was excited to see him begin his school journey. However, I quickly noticed a significant change in him. My once-curious, joyful child began to fear going to school, and the spark in his eyes started to dim. It broke my heart to see this happening so early in his education. I realized that he, too, was being stifled by the very system I had worked in for years.
I knew I had to make a change, and after much consideration, I made the decision to pull him out of school and start homeschooling. It wasn’t an easy choice, but within just a few months, I began to see remarkable changes. Slowly but surely, that spark of curiosity returned. He was excited about learning again, and I realized just how much of a difference individualized education could make.
The Birth of Fáilte Waldorf Microschool
After a year of homeschooling and witnessing my son’s tremendous growth and renewed love for learning, I started thinking: What if I could provide this kind of nurturing, personalized education to other children as well? That’s when the idea for Fáilte Waldorf Microschool was born.
Fáilte Waldorf (pronounced Fall-cha) is a small, intentionally designed learning environment, in the Philly suburbs, that supports children who haven’t thrived in traditional school settings. Our school is rooted in the Waldorf philosophy, which emphasizes developmentally appropriate, child-centered learning.
We cater specifically to children who may have struggled in larger classrooms, children who need more individualized attention, or who have had negative or even traumatic experiences in traditional schools. Our small class size allows me to truly understand each child’s needs and create an environment where they can flourish.
Education Entrepreneurship: A Path for Others
As much as I love running my own microschool, I know that Fáilte isn’t the right fit for every child. However, I firmly believe that more families should have the opportunity to find an educational environment that works for their children, and that’s where education entrepreneurship comes into play. I’m passionate about supporting others in starting their own microschools or alternative learning environments, because the more options we create, the more children can thrive.
One of the reasons I joined PaFEC is because I believe in the power of community and collaboration. There are so many talented, passionate educators out there who want to break free from the traditional model and offer something different. My goal at PaFEC is to connect with other education entrepreneurs, share resources, and build a network where we can support each other. Whether it’s sharing advice, pooling resources, or referring families, I believe that by working together, we can make a bigger impact on education in Pennsylvania.
Let’s Connect!
If you’re an education entrepreneur, someone considering starting a microschool, or if you know someone who is, I’d love to connect with you. My goal is to help others take that leap, get the support they need, and build sustainable, meaningful learning environments for more children. Starting Fáilte has been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve made, and I’m excited to see how many more children we can reach by growing this network of education entrepreneurs.
Together, we can offer families more options, provide children with the education they deserve, and create a brighter future for education in Pennsylvania. I’m here to help, so feel free to reach out!