8 Lessons From 2020 to Influence a New Normal

By Lynelle Lynch, Owner, Bellus Academy

The new normal has arrived in career education. Among the many questions 2020 presented for school owners and educators, perhaps the most commonly asked was, “When will we get back to normal?” Looking back nearly a year after the pandemic struck, most of us realize there is no going back to the former approaches to in-person learning. As times have changed, so has the career education experience with virtual learning and hybrid classes beginning to feel familiar – even normal.

While the physical landscape of career education has changed radically, the mission to prepare and equip students for career success remains unchanged.

In a word, career education “pivoted” in 2021, toward a hybrid model consisting of virtual learning and in-class instruction. At Bellus Academy, we moved toward a socially distanced delivery model within a week of the pandemic lockdown. What we thought was a short-term experience, was in essence a pivot toward a new way of educating students and ushering in a new normal for beauty and wellness education.

We’ll leave it to historians to make sense of this still evolving time. Yet one year into the experience, we are confident that what initially seemed like temporary measures are here to stay. And perhaps the biggest surprise is that what was perceived by many as a disruption has resulted in a set-up for more efficient education, healthier learning environments and even better economics for school owners.

Below are eight lessons Bellus Academy gleaned about how the transition to digital can improve education in 2021 and beyond:

1. Education can take a cue from retail

When the pandemic struck, many insiders and analysts alike questioned how the hands-on nature of education would adapt. How would students receive the tools and resources to practice their skill? How would practical techniques like haircutting, esthetic treatments and nail care be taught? Inspired by the curbside delivery model of retailers and restaurants, Bellus Academy staff prepared “mini-kits” for students to continue their practical education coursework outside the classroom. Products and tools were packaged up for curbside pick-up, along with information on how to connect with instructors for ZOOM instruction and bonus tutorials. This “homework” supported the all-important practical education that begins once students complete the theory portion of the curriculum. We are inspired to imagine how the curbside model may evolve even more given the advances in delivery technologies such as drones.

2. Phasing education drives better school economics

As educators across the spectrum of career education know, there is a significant cost associated with a student dropping a program. Implementing a hybrid learning arrangement has allowed Bellus Academy to phase in education and deliver resources as students achieve particular milestones in a program. For example, the initial phase of cosmetology study focuses on theory. In the past, Bellus Academy provided complete kits to students at the start of their program – a resource investment of thousands of dollars. The transition to hybrid learning has allowed Bellus Academy to deliver the practical kit components and materials only when the student has satisfactorily passed the theory portion of the program. This practice protects the school’s investment in resources and technologies and also provides students with an incentive to “hang in there” during the theory portion of the program.

3. Cultivating community is about more than job placement

Who are the advocates, the heroes and the icons in your field? These individuals can be powerful “real world” advocates encouraging students during their studies. When the pandemic struck, Bellus Academy tapped these champions who were affected by salon closures. We invited them to use the time they were not working in the salon or spa to speak with students and share their wisdom. Reflecting the generosity of an industry, some of the nation’s most revered hairstylists joined our team to inspire the next generation of beauty professionals. Seeing top talent including alumni present on the technique and the business of beauty, was an inspiration to students. For educators, it was a reminder that cultivating relationships with contacts in the industry is essential. While networking is often thought of in terms of job placement, the events of 2020 proved that relationships can spark the gift of education and mentoring.

4. A pause can drive innovation and investment

Disruption provides an opportunity to look at the market through a new lens and assess opportunities to expand the educational experience. At Bellus Academy, we noted increased interest in CBD oil as a beauty and wellness therapy, and started exploring approaches to responsibly integrate CBD oil into programming. After investigating isolate versions that would deliver the benefits of cannabis therapies without THC, Bellus Academy invested in “On the Green.” The completely free of THC oil is another therapeutic tool for students seeking a career in the esthetic sector. The investment also demonstrates how the professional beauty industry works with the wellness community to support clients seeking to look and feel good. Just prior to the lockdown, the Bellus Academy locations in Southern California joined with local spa and salon partners for an evening of education on this novel therapy. With the investment in On the Green, we will be able to educate students about a new option on many spa and salon service menus.

5. Sanitation and safety culture is essential

While more learning is being delivered online, the campus environment is still an essential part of the learning experience and safety is paramount. Prior to the lockdown, the quality of the indoor environment was largely taken for granted. COVID 19 changed all that, driving an increased interest in airborne contaminants and indoor air quality. Today, indoor air quality concerns have moved from assuring a smoke-free environment to creating environments that facilitate ventilation and catch contaminants.

While there are a variety of air filtration and ventilation systems on the market, a good place to start is with a component that’s essential in all HVAC systems – the air filter and THE MERV. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, and the MERV rating is the primary rating system used for air filtration. Higher ratings remove a larger percentage and broader range of debris from the air. Four levels of filters are available, beginning with the MERV 6 filter, an economy filter that traps basic room dust and pollen. A MERV 8 filter traps pollen and dust, but also captures dust mites and mold spores. A MERV 11 filter traps even more contaminants in the air, including smoke, smog, and airborne particulates from coughs and sneezes. It will also filter out a lot of the most common air pollutants and irritants. A MERV 13 traps all of the above, but is so fine that it traps microscopic viruses and bacteria. A MERV 13 is a great choice if a healthy business is a top priority. At Bellus Academy, we upgraded from MERV 8 to MERV 13. This supports students in the classroom, and also clients in the salon.

6. Virtual commencement services can be creative

In 2020, Bellus Academy transitioned to digital celebrations, allowing relatives and friends who might not have been able to attend a personal event to experience the celebration virtually. Positive feedback means we’ll continue to support this socially distanced celebration. Schools can get creative with their virtual commencement events – from providing students with “party in a box” celebration kits to creating a highlights reel to push out on social media following the graduation ceremony. To bring a personalized element into the commencement, schools can ask each student to provide a photo and word of inspiration, favorite memory, or piece of advice which is put into a “Class of 2021” slide show and streamed during the event. Virtual events also make it easier for high-profile alumni or industry leaders to make a virtual address, which can be recorded in advance. Ambiance also supports the celebratory environment. Technologies such as CANVA make it possible to create a branded background for ZOOM meetings. Don’t forget to invite alumni to virtual events.

7. Virtual events support efficiency, the environment and grassroots community

While less travel is good for lowering the carbon footprint, it has also decreased the travel expenses associated with out-of-town speakers. What’s more, technology apps like House Party and ZOOM can allow for multiple speakers at an event, allowing schools to host a virtual roundtable or panel discussion. Such events would not be cost effective in a live “from the stage” presentation.

As students are increasingly interested in the environment, schools can educate them about the ways to be even more “green” while learning. 2020 was a record-breaking year for reductions in global carbon emissions¹, but decisions affecting how online content is consumed can reduce global warming potential (GWP) even more. For example, not every meeting may require the camera to be on for participants to access content. A January 2021 article in Science Daily² reports data from Purdue University and MIT noting that simply leaving a camera off during a web call can reduce carbon footprints by 96%! Such insights allow students to actively participate and manage their virtual behavior to support environmental sustainability.

8. Virtual events can grow grassroots relationships and engage alumni

At the community level, virtual connectivity can actually lead to a more experiential interaction with influencers invested in career education. For example, to celebrate National School Counseling Week in February 2021, Bellus Academy is creating DIY stress release facials for counselors. The prepackaged kits provide instructions and tips to help counselors practice self-care during a challenging time. The kits are dropped off curbside at a designated time and counselors can connect with a Bellus Academy team member if they have questions about ingredients, procedures, etc.

Welcome to the “new normal.” At Bellus Academy, we realize that some elements of hybrid learning will be indelibly etched into our DNA moving forward. The world has changed, but the importance and relevance of career education remains. The eight insights gleaned from the events of 2020 can inspire school owners, faculty and most importantly students to make the most of a hybrid learning environment.

References

1 CNBC www.cnbc.com/2020/12/11/covid-record-drop-global-carbon-emissions-2020.html

2 Science Daily, January 14, 2021 – Turn off that camera during virtual meetings, environmental study says: Simple tips to go green with your internet use during a pandemic — ScienceDaily

LYNELLE LYNCH is an advocate for the arts, human rights and education.

Lynelle is the owner of Bellus Academy and founder of Beauty Changes Lives, a 501c3 that awards tuition scholarships to aspiring beauty and wellness professionals. Since 2013, the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation has awarded more than 600 tuition scholarships to hundreds of aspiring beauty professionals.

An accomplished entrepreneur, Lynelle has led Bellus Academy to become the top beauty academy in North America, winning multiple Excellence in Education awards from Modern Salon. Bellus Academy students and educators regularly place in the nation’s most prestigious competitions. Most recently, Bellus Academy became the first school in the nation to offer the CIDESO USA certification. CIDESO is recognized around the globe as the elite standard of skin care expertise.

Giving back to the beauty industry, Lynelle is leading the Make Your Mark initiative – a nationwide campaign to raise awareness of careers in the spa industry.

A resident of San Diego, California, Bellus Academy received the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award in 2017 and for two years has received California’s highest honor for community service. Lynelle serves on the board of directors for the Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), and on the Foundation Board for San Diego Zoo Global.

Serving on the La Jolla Playhouse board for more than two decades, Lynelle chaired some of the theatre company’s most successful fundraising campaigns and galas.

Lynelle also has a heart for helping children, serving with her husband Bill Lynch on the Lynch Family Foundation. The Foundation partners with law enforcement to stop child sex trafficking.