We were lucky to catch up with Kenyetta Garrett-Russell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kenyetta, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

The idea to create a microschool was born out of a deep understanding of the struggles families face when trying to find the right educational fit for their children—especially those with diverse learning needs. Throughout my career as an educator, I’ve had the privilege of working with hundreds of students and families, and no matter my role, I have always been an advocate for equitable and inclusive education.
One of the most profound lessons I learned early on was that all parents want what is best for their children, but too often, they feel burdened by the limitations of traditional education systems. I made it a priority to build strong relationships with families, actively listening to their concerns and aspirations. Over time, I realized that many parents were searching for something different—something that truly recognized and nurtured their child’s unique strengths and challenges.
As a classroom teacher, I implemented evidence-based approaches that consistently improved student outcomes. As a leader in special education, I dedicated my career to ensuring that students had access to equitable opportunities and inclusive learning environments. I saw firsthand that when students were given the right support, they didn’t just improve academically—they thrived. This reinforced what I already knew: there was a need for a new approach to education.
After countless conversations with parents who were desperate for an alternative, I knew it was time to do something different to help support families. Families needed a learning environment that was student-centered, personalized, and flexible—one where children wouldn’t get lost in the crowd but instead feel seen, valued, and supported. That’s when I made the decision to launch a microschool that would do just that.
Learn To Thrive was built on the belief that every child deserves an education that meets them where they are. Our approach is different from traditional models because we offer a highly personalized learning experience in an inclusive and nurturing environment. We combine high challenge with high support, ensuring that students receive the right balance of structure and encouragement. Our hands-on, experiential learning model is backed by research and has proven to be incredibly effective, particularly for struggling learners. We also offer flexible learning options, recognizing that education should adapt to fit the needs of families—not the other way around.
The thing that gets me most excited is to hear the feedback from our students and families. Our students love coming to school and are actively engaged, which has not always been a common occurrence for most of them before now.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am Kenyetta Russell. I have over 20 years of experience in the public education system. During my tenure as an educator, I became a multi-year “Teacher of the Year” recipient. I had the pleasure to serve as a certified special education leader, teacher mentor, and facilitator, and now—the founder and owner of Learn To Thrive Education & Resource Center.

I am PASSIONATE and DEDICATED to teaching, serving and advocating for students with and students with academic challenges. I was invested during that season of life, but my desire was much bigger. I wanted to provide a space for children to learn authentically, naturally, and without limitations. I realized I could no longer grow and fit inside a box that was created for me.

I understood the need for students to have a place to have their needs met and feel seen and included. I wanted students to be given high expectations with the same level of support to fit their needs. From that, I realized my purpose was to create Learn To Thrive Education Center, a place where and learners with diverse learning needs can learn, grow and thrive through a holistic approach..

Creating a place where learning goes far beyond policies, assessments, and standardized learning. We are a learning environment where authenticity is embraced, moments are filled with care, fun and enjoyment! Students love coming to school and are free to be kids!

We provide an educational solution to families feed up with the limitations of the traditional school system and looking for an educational right fit for their child. We believe that every child deserves an education that meets them where they are, which is why we are passionate about providing a highly personalized approach to learning to foster academic and social growth in children. We combine high challenge with high support, ensuring that students receive the right balance of structure and encouragement.

We offer flexible learning options which include full time, part-time, enrichment, and camps for families to choose what fits best with their schedule.

I am proud to have created a one-of-a-kind space with a nurturing, supportive, and personalized environment for students who need something different. We cater to our students’ needs understanding how they learn best to deliver above-average results. We foster confidence, independence, self-awareness, and leadership skills preparing students for the future.

We work with integrity serving our families at the highest level. Our mission is to cultivate a community of lifelong learners by providing positive learning experiences for students to thrive academically, and socially We are community-focused and value partnerships with families and the community. We are here to serve at the highest level to help students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Entering the business world from a background in education has been a challenging yet transformative experience. When I decided to open a microschool, I had no idea what it would truly take to run and sustain a school. Getting started was relatively simple, but as I immersed myself in the business, I quickly realized how much I didn’t know—and, more importantly, how much I didn’t even know to ask.

This journey has been a continuous learning curve, requiring constant reflection and adaptation to maintain both quality and sustainability. I’ve had countless sleepless nights watching videos, listening to podcasts, and reading books—anything I could find to help me grow as a business owner. There were many times I felt like giving up and going back to the school system, however, I am confident that the work that I do and the value I bring to families. will have a life long impact for families. The challenges I’ve faced have pushed me to evolve, not just professionally but personally as well.

Through this experience, I’ve come to understand that in order to build a successful business, I first needed to become the leader I aspired to be. This required deep self-reflection, a willingness to change, and a commitment to continuous growth. As I worked to strengthen my business, I also strengthened my personal development.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe my reputation within the market has been built on my commitment to fostering strong, meaningful relationships with families. I understand that trust and connection are foundational to a thriving business, and I prioritize nurturing those relationships with families because they directly contribute to the success and sustainability of my business. When people see my passion, understand my vision, and feel a genuine connection, they are more likely to support and advocate for what I do.
Another key factor in building my reputation is operating with integrity. I am open and honest with every family I meet, ensuring that I never make false promises or commit to something beyond my capacity. By maintaining transparency and staying true to my values, I have been able to establish trust and credibility within the community. These qualities not only set me apart but also reinforce the confidence that families have in the services I provide.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://learntothriveeducationresourcecenter.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/learntothriveeducate
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/learntothriveeducate
• Linkedin: Kenyetta Garrett-Russell

Image Credits

Mcfarquhar Photography for some images not all