When Jennifer Kempin’s son started kindergarten, she watched something heartbreaking happen. “I observed a concerning shift — a decline in his joy for learning, which dimmed the spark in his eyes,” she recalls. 

As a special education teacher with more than a decade of classroom experience, Jennifer knew that not every child thrives in traditional educational settings. However, seeing it happen to her own son became the spark for creating a unique learning environment. 

Today, Jennifer is the founder of Fáilte Microschool (pronounced “fall-cha”), currently serving students in Norristown. The name means “welcome and joy” in Gaelic. It perfectly captures what Jennifer set out to create: a place where children who have struggled in conventional schools can rediscover their love of learning.

Award-Winning Education Main Line Families Trust

Fáilte Waldorf Microschool was named the Main Line Parent 2025 Family Favorite Homeschool Resource, thanks to nominations from local parents who recognize their exceptional service:

Bridging the Educational Gap

Fáilte Microschool addresses what Jennifer identifies as a critical gap in educational options. “I fill a gap between what traditional schools (public or private) provide, and what special education schools have to offer,” she explains. “The gap in between those two options — that’s what we fill.”

The microschool currently serves elementary students in first through fifth grade, with plans to expand to sixth next year. With no more than eight children in a group and a warm, home-like setting, Fáilte offers the kind of personalized attention and meaningful connection that can make all the difference.

“What makes us work is that the kids feel safe with us,” Jennifer said. “As we grow, we want to maintain that level of safety that kids feel. That’s what’s going to keep us who we are.”

Fáilte is especially well-suited for children who are twice exceptional, highly sensitive, managing special needs, or carrying school trauma. For these students, a traditional classroom can feel overwhelming. At Fáilte, they find a place where safety and belonging come first.

From School Refusal to School Enthusiasm

The growth Jennifer sees Fáilte Microschool is transformative. She remembers one child who came to Fáilte after his experience in public school had turned into a truancy case — at just six years old. 

“He was refusing to go to school, wouldn’t go, hated school, was terrified of it,” she said. 

When he first started at Fáilte, the child would hide behind his hair, wouldn’t share his name, and sometimes did his lessons under the table. But just a few months later, everything changed. One day, Jennifer overheard him saying things like, “It was so boring [over the weekend]. Why don’t we have school on Fridays? Why does every other school have school on Fridays but we don’t? Why can’t we go to school seven days a week?”

This transformation — from school avoidance to wishing for more school days — illustrates the power of Fáilte’s approach.

The Fáilte Philosophy: Connection First

Jennifer’s background in FloorTime Therapy — a relationship-based approach that supports emotional and developmental growth — is at the heart of everything Fáilte offers. The program emphasizes connection first, meeting children at their developmental stage and following their unique path forward. Paired with a flexible Waldorf-inspired curriculum, it creates a space where kids can be themselves without pressure to fit into a traditional mold.

“We’re not rigid,” Jennifer explains. “Children are not forced to do anything here. If I put handwriting in front of a child and he says he doesn’t want to do it, then we don’t do it. I honor their ‘no.'” 

Instead, she finds creative ways to build the same skills. She may use knitting, finger knitting, and clay work to strengthen fine motor skills without the stress of traditional handwriting worksheets.

It might sound unconventional, but Jennifer has seen time and again how effective it can be. She says parents often ask, “But what if my child says no to everything?” 

Jennifer tells them, “That’s fine. They sometimes do in the first months. But they always come back because kids want to learn. Eventually they start really loving it again.”

Fáilte’s Individualized and Flexible Approach

Fáilte’s multi-age classroom structure supports this individualized approach. Every day starts with a morning meeting where all students come together to work on foundational skills — whether that’s skip counting, phonics, or anything in between. 

After that, Jennifer moves into grade-level lessons, while assistant teacher Suzie leads handwork like knitting or felting. Lessons are kept short and focused, allowing children to learn more quickly with personalized attention.

“The lessons are shorter than your typical lesson, because they’re getting one-on-one attention,” Jennifer said. “They learn a lot faster than when you have 20 kids. I can answer their questions right away, they don’t have to wait for 20 other children to move on when they understand something.“

That kind of flexibility applies to emotional needs, too. Jennifer recalls a recent day when a major storm was approaching and the children were anxious. 

“We changed our plans to support the anxiety that they had around the storm,” she said. “We did activities all together instead of breaking up into groups because they all wanted to be together in the same room.. That’s an example of times when we set the curriculum or plan for the day aside and follow the lead of the children. “

A Family Commitment

For families who’ve been through tough experiences with school, discovering Fáilte often feels like stumbling on something they didn’t know existed. During initial inquiries, parents typically want to know if she will accept their child. 

“They usually feel burned by the school district and want to know if I would be okay with whatever ‘problem’ their child has been labeled as having, and my answer is typically yes, they can succeed here.” Jennifer said.

While private education can often feel out of reach, Fáilte’s tuition is significantly lower than that of most private schools serving children with special needs. For many families, the investment is worthwhile not only because their child is finally thriving, but also because of the individualized support and community they find here.

Some families have even been able to include Fáilte tuition in special education settlements — a testament to the school’s critical role in serving children with unique needs.

Small Group Size

Jennifer’s vision remains thoughtful and intentional. “Our goal is to keep our groups small,” she said. “This group will grow to eight and that will be the maximum. Then as long as we keep having interest, we would add a second group that would also be up to eight.”

The school also plans to add grades as students advance. Jennifer envisions creating little pods that serve the  community — small, tight-knit groups where children with diverse needs and ages can learn and grow together.

Beyond the Classroom

Fáilte’s sense of community extends beyond the classroom. Jennifer hosts a monthly book club for parents, focused on child psychology and parenting approaches. “We meet at a restaurant and we’re usually there for a couple hours. It’s fantastic. We love it,” she said. 

Seasonal gatherings hosted by the school also bring families together throughout the school year to celebrate connection and support. 

The school operates four days a week, with many students attending Coyote Tracks outdoor education program on Wednesdays, creating a five-day educational experience. This structure provides the consistency many families seek while still giving kids the flexibility they need to truly thrive.

Fáilte’s Mission for Educational Transformation

Jennifer’s mission doesn’t stop with Fáilte. She regularly hosts microschool meetups to support other educators interested in starting similar programs. 

“I don’t just want Fáilte to grow,” Jennifer said.  I want more microschools to exist. Every community deserves safe, small, joyful places where children can thrive. Part of my mission is supporting other educators so they can create microschools, too.”

Recent interest has been overwhelming. Jennifer’s latest meetup had a waiting list, and since refining her website, she’s gone from getting one inquiry a week to eight. It’s a clear sign that more parents realize traditional school models don’t work for every child and that there are better, more personalized options out there.

As Fáilte grows, Jennifer remains focused on their mission: to continue creating the kind of environment where a child who once hid under tables can grow into someone who asks why school can’t happen seven days a week. 

When many children are struggling to find their place in traditional classrooms, Fáilte offers something precious — a place where every child can be welcomed, celebrated, and supported to rediscover the joy of learning.

Fáilte Microschool is currently accepting applications for the 2025-26 school year. For more information about enrollment or to schedule a visit, contact Jennifer Kempin through the school’s website or social media channels.

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Photos courtesy of Fáilte Microschool.
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