Another Tool for Your Tool Box

Inviting guest speakers into the classroom is a fantastic teaching method to add to your tool box.  They can provide insight into a particular topic or career field and bring in real world experience to help the student connect what they are learning to the world they will be entering when they graduate.  Guest speakers enhance the students’ educational experience by providing a different viewpoint and the opportunity to learn something new.  In addition, they give the student a chance to build industry relations and connect with salon/spa professionals.

As an educator, we are expected to be able to teach classes on a variety of subjects.  There are some subjects that we are experts on, while others we may have limited knowledge.  Guest speakers can be a great solution for those topics where you have limited knowledge.  Additionally, it will give the students a break from your teaching and offer a change of pace.  Always remember, however, that having a guest speaker does not reduce or eliminate his/her responsibility to be present and participate in the classroom presentation.