Interview with the Founder of FAYE Learning Center: A Houston Microschool Story

Changemaker Edu's COO, Joy Meserve, sat down with Christina Pipkin, aka Pip, the Founder of FAYE Learning Center in Spring, North Houston, to talk about her journey, her vision for alternative education, and why families are turning to microschools in Houston as a better path forward.

Founder Story & Vision

Joy: Let’s start with your background. What inspired you to take the leap into starting a microschool here in Houston?

Pip: I started my career as a classroom teacher for eight years. Over time, I realized the traditional school system was failing students, parents, and teachers. I eventually pivoted to EdTech, where I spent more than ten years supporting schools and educators in transforming the way students learn. While I loved that work, I always felt a pull toward something more personal and impactful.

Before I left the public school classroom, I made a vow: the only way I would ever go back to teaching would be if it were my own school. I dreamed of creating a place that honored the individuality of every child, where learning felt joyful, meaningful, and empowering. That dream finally became reality with FAYE Learning Center, a Houston microschool serving families across North Houston and Spring, TX.

Joy: Was there a moment when you realized, “I can’t wait any longer. I need to do this”?

Pip: Yes. After years of watching traditional systems limit kids’ creativity, curiosity, and confidence, I knew there had to be a better way. The moment I started to imagine what learning could look like...student-led, flexible, and connected to the real world...I knew I couldn’t wait. I had to create that space myself.

Joy: Tell us about the name of your microschool. What’s the story behind it?

Pip: My school is called FAYE Learning Center, proudly located in Spring, TX. FAYE stands for Fostering and Advancing Youth Excellence, and the name carries deep personal meaning.

“Faye” was the name of my paternal grandmother, a woman whose strength and love continue to guide me. Years ago, my sister and I made a promise to honor our grandmothers by naming our children after them. While she was able to fulfill her promise through her daughter, I never had children of my own. Creating FAYE Learning Center is my way of keeping that promise and ensuring my grandmother’s legacy lives on.

At its core, FAYE Learning Center is more than an educational space. It is a reflection of family, legacy, and resilience. Every program we design, every student we support, and every family we uplift carries forward the values of love, strength, and opportunity my grandmother instilled in us. By rooting this work in legacy, FAYE becomes not just a school, but a living testament to the power of honoring those who came before us while building pathways for those who will come after.

Joy: That’s beautiful and such a meaningful foundation. If you had to sum up your mission in just a few words, what would it be?

Pip: Empowering kids to unleash their inner magic and learn with curiosity, courage, and confidence.

Community & Families

Joy: Who do you see FAYE Learning Center serving? What kind of community are you hoping to create here in North Houston?

Pip: I want to serve families who are looking for more than a traditional classroom experience, families who want their children to be seen, heard, and supported as whole people. FAYE Learning Center is for curious, creative kids and for parents who believe that education should inspire, not confine.

Additionally, I want to create a safe and inviting community for families impacted by parental incarceration. These families often face barriers in education, and I want FAYE to be a place of belonging and opportunity for them.

Joy: And what do you see as the greatest needs of families in Spring and North Houston? How does your microschool meet those needs?

Pip: Families here are searching for flexibility, personalization, and true partnership in their children’s education. Many parents feel their kids are either falling through the cracks or not being challenged enough. At FAYE, we meet those needs by designing individualized learning pathways, building strong relationships, and creating an environment where every child feels valued and capable.

Joy: When families walk through your doors for the first time, what do you want them to feel?

Pip: I hope they feel peace, belonging, and excitement. I want them to immediately sense: This is a safe place where my child can thrive, explore, and be themselves.

School Uniqueness & Philosophy

Joy: Every Changemaker Edu microschool has its own personality. What makes FAYE Learning Center unique among Houston schools?

Pip: FAYE is unique because we blend personalized learning with a strong sense of community. We don’t just focus on academics—we nurture curiosity, creativity, and character. Our students aren’t just learning facts; they’re building the skills and confidence to shape their own futures.

Joy: I love that balance. Can you give an example of the kind of learning you’re most excited to bring to your students?

Pip: I’m especially excited about project-based learning experiences where students can take their passions and turn them into real-world work. Whether it’s writing a book, designing an app, or starting a community project, students will have the freedom and support to make their ideas come alive.

Joy: And how does your school reflect your own values and passions as an educator and leader?

Pip: FAYE reflects my belief that every child is capable of greatness when given the right environment. I value creativity, connection, and courage, and those are the same values we cultivate here. This isn’t just a school—it’s a community that mirrors the kind of world I want my own children, and all children, to grow up in.

Partnership with Changemaker Edu

Joy: Let’s talk about your partnership with us. What made you choose Changemaker Edu over going it alone or joining a microschool franchise?

Pip: From the very first conversation, I knew Changemaker Edu was different. David and Joy weren’t offering a one-size-fits-all model; they were offering a true partnership. They believed in me and my vision, and that gave me the courage to finally step forward and build the school I had always dreamed of.

Joy: How has the partnership supported you so far?

Pip: They’ve given me the structure, resources, and encouragement I needed to move from dream to reality. They removed every excuse I had for why now wasn’t the right time. More than that, they’ve been true partners who care about me as a person, not just as a founder. Since working with them, I’ve grown personally, spiritually, and professionally.

Joy: And what do you appreciate most about being part of the Changemaker Education founder community?

Pip: I love being surrounded by like-minded visionaries who are also building bold, student-centered schools. It’s a community of encouragement, collaboration, and inspiration. We lift each other up, celebrate every milestone, and remind each other why this work matters so much.

Looking Ahead

Joy: What’s your biggest dream or long-term vision for FAYE Learning Center in Houston?

Pip: My dream is for FAYE to grow into a thriving community hub where students, families, and educators come together to reimagine what learning looks like. I see multiple campuses in Houston and beyond, a network of changemakers, and a legacy of students who go out into the world as confident, compassionate leaders.

Joy: And if a student were to look back years from now, what do you hope they’d say about their experience here?

Pip: I hope they say: “At FAYE, I was seen. I was supported. I was challenged. I discovered who I am and what I can do, and I’ll carry that confidence with me forever.”

Joy: That’s powerful. Finally, what advice would you give to someone who’s thinking about starting a microschool?

Pip: Start before you feel ready. Don’t wait for the perfect time or perfect plan, just take the first step. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, and remember: the world needs your vision. If you build it, they will come.

Why FAYE Learning Center Matters

For families in Spring, North Houston, and the greater Houston area, FAYE Learning Center offers more than just another Houston school. It’s a microschool built with an alternative education in mind, a place where children thrive as whole people, and where families find a true partner in their child’s learning journey.

👉 Interested in learning more about Houston microschools or joining the alternative education movement? Contact us today.

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