Cosmetology Teaching

Cosmetology Teacher Overview

Cosmetology school instructors are licensed professionals responsible for teaching aspiring beauticians the skills to become successful in the industry. This includes proper hair styling, beauty techniques, cosmetology theory, professional ethics, salon safety, record keeping, and small business management. Although cosmetology school classes are primarily taught through hands-on learning, instructors should also be prepared to teach classes using a variety of educational methods, including lectures, demonstrations, and audio-visual aids.

Becoming a cosmetology school instructor is often the career choice of those who have already spent years working as licensed hair stylists and beauticians. It can be a very rewarding career for anyone with a passion for teaching and expertise in beauty techniques.

Cosmetology Teacher Training and Education

The vast majority of cosmetology school instructors begin their careers as stylists and beauticians, which means anyone hoping to enter the field should attend a licensed cosmetology school and pass the required state examination before moving forward.

After becoming a licensed cosmetologist, it is most common for future-instructors to spend a minimum of two years working as a stylist in the field, although most spend many years more. This not only allows aspiring instructors to build their repertoire of techniques and gain experience serving clients which they can then use to help guide younger students in the future.

Once a stylist has made the decision to transition into becoming an instructor, he or she must attend a cosmetology instructor certification program, where they will take courses in salon management, instructor theory, state cosmetology law, academic advising, student motivation and learning, and state board preparation. They must also spend time shadowing a licensed instructor and complete 130 hours of teaching inside a beauty school classroom. Once this course is completed, students may take the state exam to become a licensed cosmetology instructor.

Cosmetology Teacher Career and Salary Outlook

The overall job outlook for personal appearance workers is expected to remain favorable over the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with employment growth for those in the industry projected to rise by 14 percent through the year 2016.

Although the BLS reports that beauty professionals working at schools earn an average salary of $27,540 a year as of 2008, this figure does not take into account that many instructors work on a part-time basis. Additionally, instructors working for cosmetology schools are often granted health insurance, vacation pay, and retirement benefits that professionals working for salons and day spas may not otherwise have.

Characteristics of a Successful Cosmetology Teacher

Although they share a similar background, the majority of cosmetology school instructors share little in common with the styling students they teach. Aside from the age difference—instructors are on average around 10 or more years older than most cosmetology students—it is common for instructors to prefer a lifestyle with scheduled work hours and a set paycheck, as opposed to the variable hours and paychecks most hair stylists are used to.

To be successful as an instructor, one must have an interest in both teaching and helping others succeed. They should expect to serve as a counselor or mentor to younger students in need of career guidance, as well. Rather than entering the field for the pay, successful cosmetology school instructors nearly always say they entered their job looking forward to the challenge and excitement of teaching young people just starting out, and the reward and benefit of seeing their students go on to future success.

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