Announcer (00:01): Highlighting the amazing stories from inside the North Clackamas school district. This is the Proud To Be NCSD podcast hosted by longtime principal and current community relations director, Curtis Long.

Curtis Long (00:15): Whether it's a certain area of the hallway that sometimes gets bottlenecked or a unique playground structure, or even a traditional school song where everybody knows all the words. Each of our North Clackamas School District's 32 schools has its own special characteristics to make it feel like home to thousands of students and families. But while every school is different, there are some sounds you'll only hear in one particular NCSD location like this or this or even this. These are of course, the daily sounds coming from one of the 17 career programs offered at our district's award-winning Sabin-Schellenberg Professional Technical Center where each day students from all of our district high schools are learning real world hands-on skills, ranging from automotive to building construction to agriculture, to this unique sound. Coming today from the fully functioning salon located within the Center's North campus. Why are so many students humming around the salon today? It's Client Day, meaning members of the community can make an appointment with NCSD students for services like manicures, pedicures, facials, and yes, even haircuts.

Cosmetology Co-Teacher (01:37): Estrella. She's doing a clipper cut on Bennett. This is our Client Day. We have once a week here at Sabin-Schellenberg in the Salon.

Speaker 4 (01:45): Estrella. How you feeling so far?

SSC Student (01:47): Uh, good. Just a little nervous, but I'm getting the hang of it.

Curtis Long (01:52): Don't be nervous as we meet some of the students experiencing this one of a kind opportunity to put their skills to the test on real paying customers.

SSC Student (02:00): I think I did pretty good. I didn't bring some of my stuff, but I still did good.

Curtis Long (02:05): Is this something you want to pursue after high school?

SSC Student (02:06): Yeah, I wanna own my own spa, so that's big thing I want to do.

Curtis Long (02:11): All right, Daisy, what are you doing over here?

SSC Student (02:12): I'm doing highlights.

Curtis Long (02:14): Is this your first time ever doing them?

SSC Student (02:15): Not ever <laugh> but on someone here. Yes.

Curtis Long (02:18): Today on the Proud To Be NCSD podcast, we do some highlighting of our own. And sit down with the longtime lead instructor of the Sabin-Schellenberg Cosmetology program, Jeri Davis. Why she feels she has the best job in the district and how her leadership has helped turn cosmetology into a program many community members are raving about.

Community Member (02:37): Oh I think it's great 'cause I had no clue. So yeah. I'm gonna spread the word.

Curtis Long (02:41): Learn why cool programs like cosmetology at Sabin-Schellenberg are creating quite a buzz next and we welcome in the lead instructor of Sabin-Schellenberg's cosmetology program. She provides her students hands-on training in hair design, skincare, makeup artistry, even manicuring and pedicuring, it's teacher Jeri Davis. Jeri, thanks so much for joining us today.

Jeri Davis (03:04): Yes, thank you for coming.

Curtis Long (03:06): So when most of our listening audience thinks of a teacher subject areas, they likely think of reading, math, writing science, and there are certainly elements of those in your lessons here at Sabin-Schellenberg. But tell our listeners about what you teach here at our district's Sabin-Schellenberg Career Technical Center.

Jeri Davis (03:19): Well, I like to think the main thing we teach is work ethics and that's across all our Sabin-Schellenberg classes. So our students are learning how to be great employees no matter what they choose as a career. So I teach the intro class, we start 'em out in that, which is a one period, one semester class and they, I call it a taste test to see if it's cosmetology for them. And so they learn just parts, parts of a mannequin hair, parts of hair, mini facials. And so then they can decide, oh, do I wanna go on to Cos one, which is a two period class every other day for a year. And so usually by the end of cause one, they know if it's for them or not.

Curtis Long (04:04): Now we're here in the actual salon that we have right here on campus. There's haircuts. There's manicures being done. I see some highlighting being done. What's your background? What led you to this teaching position and how do you have so much knowledge about all these different cosmetology areas?

Jeri Davis (04:20): Well, without telling you the exact year I started, no I don't because that ages me. Okay. <laugh>. So I started actually the month I graduated from high school counselor took me aside 'cause I had no goal and mm-hmm <affirmative>. Afterwards and said There's a scholarship available at a beauty school in Longview. I grew up in Ilwaco. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Is that something you might be interested in? It's like, oh, why not? So I found, I really liked it helped me come outta my shell 'cause I was very shy kid. And then I owned a couple salons in the Longview and Kalama area. And when my kids were small, one of my salons was down the hill from the school. And so I started marking time out to help out in their class. Pretty soon I realized I was marking more time out to help out at the school. So I found I had a passion for working with kids. So then when I saw this job at Sabin-Schellenberg, first of all I thought, is this true? I called it the principal. Yeah.

Curtis Long (05:18): Is it a school? Is this a real position?

Jeri Davis (05:20): Yeah. Am I reading this right? 'cause I've never heard of such a thing. And so, uh, Lisa Hall and I started the program back in 2003.

Curtis Long (05:30): Wow. 2003. And you've been here ever since?

Jeri Davis (05:32): Ever since, yeah. 22

Curtis Long (05:34): Years going on now. Yes. Well, that's fantastic. Let's talk about what's happening in your program here today. Students aren't working on mannequins or each other. They've got actual customers with actual appointments. What's happening here today?

Jeri Davis (05:45): So we have one student who is doing a clipper cut over there. And we have Daniella working one-on-one with her because every client that comes in for a haircut or color service, it's all different. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. So we help 'em with their consultations, help 'em get started, and then we stand back and let 'em show their skills.

Curtis Long (06:07): She says she's a little nervous, but she's getting the hang of it now.

Jeri Davis (06:08): Yes. And that's Esmeralda. She's always, she'll say that I'm a little nervous, but I can do it. And she can.

Curtis Long (06:14): You must be, you must be very proud of your students. Oh, who get over that fear.

Jeri Davis (06:19): I am.

Curtis Long (06:19): And are able to step up and do this with, you know, actual members of the community. This, these aren't mannequins. So if you, if you make a mistake here, it's you can't fix it.

Jeri Davis (06:27): Yes. <laugh>. Yes. And that's what's going through their head. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. But they do a great job and Yeah. I, I am really proud of my students from the ones at the front desk, the receptionists, they just catch on very quickly to the system.

Curtis Long (06:40): And that's also a role. Right. Even if you're not working on, uh, on nails or hair or face. Yes. You're, that's part of the job is being a receptionist at the front. Right.

Jeri Davis (06:49): Because one of 'em has to run the booking system, which is fresh. It's what a lot of the salons in the area use that booking system. Mm-hmm. And the other one runs the payment. 'cause at the district we all have to use a square. So it's two different systems.

Curtis Long (07:04): Now you mentioned a little bit that salons in the area use that system. As students graduate high school after taking these courses, where do they find themselves in the workforce?

Jeri Davis (07:12): You know, it's all over. Two weeks ago I had three students. They asked if they could come in and talk to our students. They all graduated in 2023, went to three different beauty schools. One specializes in nails, one in hair, and one in aesthetics. Wow. So they were able to give their perspective not only on their experience at the schools, but where they are now. So like one of the, the nail person, she is actually a traveling nail tech and she is really busy and loves it.

Curtis Long (07:43): So how rewarding is that for you to have some of your kids come back and say, I remember when they were a freshman, a nervous freshman. Oh yes. And look where they are now.

Jeri Davis (07:51): And, and you know it, it's one thing for the students to be talking to us adults in admissions, people at beauty schools. But it's a whole other thing to be talking to students who started right where they are now. So it's

Curtis Long (08:03): So where those students are now let's reverse a little bit. Let's go backwards. It looks like from my research there are four courses in the cosmetology program. Tell us about those four courses or four levels and what skills students are learning in each one.

Jeri Davis (08:15): So the first one is our intro, also known as, uh, concepts. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. It is a one period, one semester class every other day. So they start out with color theory and they learn all about color theory and how to formulate hair color. They color hair swatches. Then they go into nails. So they learn how to do a mini manicure, hand and arm massage polish application and nail art. Then they go into uh, working on mannequins. So they learn how to French and Dutch braid, how to professionally straighten hair, curl hair and updo styles. And then they go into mini facials. So it's quick. They are here for a total of like 42 hours. Okay. But it's amazing what they learn in that short amount of time. Yeah.

Curtis Long (09:04): It's so fascinating to me that we have students that are actually, I mean this is a real world application of what they're learning in school.

Jeri Davis (09:10): It is.

Curtis Long (09:10): As they have clients coming in and we're sitting in the middle of the salon right now. Now your program, Jeri is part of the NCDs award-winning Sabin-Schellenberg Professional Technical Center. There's clear data that says students who take at least one career technical education course graduated at higher rates. Why do you think that is?

Jeri Davis (09:25): Because it's something they can relate to. It's real stuff. It's important to them. It's hands-on.

Curtis Long (09:32): I imagine your students, and we're seeing it today, they're pretty engaged in these lessons.

Jeri Davis (09:35): Oh yes, yes.

Curtis Long (09:35): Now students here come from every high school in the district. How does that contribute to say the vibe in your classrooms and in the salon and what you're able to teach them?

Jeri Davis (09:43): Oh, I love it because like concepts are intro level. It's not only the four different high schools, but it's also four different grade levels.

Curtis Long (09:53): Oh

Jeri Davis (09:53): Yeah. And so I really like it because they meet people outside of, they may not have ever met 'em even though they might live, you know, a short distance away. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. And so I've had students, I remember in particular a few students that had pre-judged each other. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. You know, they looked different from each other, different schools. And they already had a judgment of what that person was like. And they were put at the same table group, which that's the ones they usually become friends with. The ones that are in, in their group work. And they became really good friends and ended up going off to college together and being roommates. Wow. And lifelong friends. So, and that, and we talk about that. That Oh, if I would've kept that judgment Yeah. And didn't get to know them, I would've missed out on a lifelong friend.

Curtis Long (10:42): And you won't wanna miss out on part two of our visit to NCSDs client day at the Sabin-Schellenberg Career Technical Center and more hair raising tales about why students love these hands-on programs.

Cosmetology Co-Teacher (10:54): You're tracing the shape of the head combing through to make sure you're getting all of the stray hairs that got missed the first time.

Curtis Long (11:00): You won't wanna miss our continuing cosmetology conversation with Sabin-Schellenberg's Jeri Davis. How does all this hands-on experience help NCSD kids cut through competition when it comes to first jobs?

Jeri Davis (11:11): They love it because our students already know the safety and sanitation. They already know how to palm their shears. They already know how to do so many things that they don't realize it when they get there until they're looking around seeing these people 20 years older than them. And they know so much more.

Curtis Long (11:27): And there's never a bad hair day when it comes to loving her position.

Jeri Davis (11:31): I could get real emotional right now 'cause I'm so proud of my students. When I get my hair done, I go to one of my former students.

Curtis Long (11:37): Oh, that's awesome.

Jeri Davis (11:38): Not only do I know they're good, but I also know what kind of people they are and love to see them grow up.

Curtis Long (11:45): Book an appointment for the second half of the Proud To Be NCSD podcast right after this.

Commercial Voice (11:51): Are you looking for a job right now? Looking to work in a fun and supportive environment with great pay and a rewarding career? The North Clackamas School District is hiring. We're currently filling full and part-time positions. You can work and make a difference in young lives and education as a classroom assistant or a substitute teacher apply to work in one of our school cafeterias where our lunch staff serves up big smiles with great food every day. We're also looking to hire before and after school caretakers, custodians, and bus drivers in North Clackamas. We promise it won't take you long to learn why our employees say they're proud to be in NCSD. Apply today on the North Clackamas School District website or call 5 0 3 3 5 3 6,000. That's 5 0 3 3 5 3 6,000.

Curtis Long (12:45): Now you mentioned before that when you first saw this job at Sabin-Schellenberg back in the early two thousands, you had to really kind of double take and say, is this really, really a position? Do you ever look around and think, gosh, I'm lucky to have the position I have.

Jeri Davis (12:57): Oh, all the time. Yeah. I love it. I love it. Just, and you know, it was a lot easier 20 years ago when I <laugh> Yeah. When I started it. You know, being on my feet all day. But yeah, I'm just, I could get real emotional right now 'cause I'm so proud of my students. Um, yeah,

Curtis Long (13:13): It really comes through.

Jeri Davis (13:15): I actually, when I get my hair done, I go to one of my former students.

Curtis Long (13:20): Oh, that's awesome.

Jeri Davis (13:20): And same with my nails. I go get my nails done at one of my former students. So not only do I know they're good, but I also know what kind of people they are and, and love to see them grow up.

Curtis Long (13:33): Now you mentioned you're getting emotional. We can see the emotion here. It is, it does make you feel very proud to know you've made an impact on these kids. Yeah. And really help them on, on choosing a career path for them.

Jeri Davis (13:43): Right. And just as important is finding out it's not for them. Yeah. Because we have students that, oh, you know, they're all about hair Okay. And makeup and nails on themselves and their friends. But it's like, it's a whole other thing when they're working on people and it's, you know, I had one student who I noticed her being absent on client days. Mm. And so I took her side like, I'm noticing a pattern, what's going on? I really don't like working with people. And it's like, well I'm glad we're finding this out now. Yeah. And so it's like, well, what do you enjoy? And it's like, I really like working with animals. I said, well

Curtis Long (14:21): Guess what? We have that program too.

Jeri Davis (14:22): Yes. I said, so I steered her there. And last I heard she was doing specialty dog grooming using her cosmetology skills on pets.

Curtis Long (14:32): Wow. There you go. But,

Jeri Davis (14:34): But she could have been locked into a beauty school with a $25,000 contract.

Curtis Long (14:40): Now explain that a little bit 'cause Yeah, a lot of our students, they, they think of post-graduation as college uhhuh or maybe they, they enter an apprenticeship. Your kids typically go, what's their route after they graduate from here?

Jeri Davis (14:52): So they go on to beauty school, Uhhuh <affirmative>, and many of the local beauty schools will take their hours and their services, which we call R-O's, and they transfer it to their school. So it saves them time and money. And um, such as fagans they've been with us is industry partners since the very beginning. And they offer a $5,000 and three, $3,000 scholarships to four lucky students just in our program. So it's not offered to the public.

Curtis Long (15:22): Wow. Yeah. And I would guess that some of these local beauty schools they see on the kids' resume or application, oh, they went to North Clackamas schools, they're in, or we're really gonna consider these kids For sure. Yes. It must be an advantage for them.

Jeri Davis (15:35): Oh, it really is. And they love it because our students already know the safety and sanitation. They already know how to palm their shears, which that's a whole lesson to talk about. They already know how to do so many things that they don't realize that when they get there, until they're looking around seeing these people 20 years older than them and they know so much more.

Curtis Long (15:57): And you're talking about what kids know how to do here. There's so many different skills that kids are learning.

Jeri Davis (16:01): Oh yes.

Curtis Long (16:01): What are the most challenging ones to teach or the ones that kids maybe have the hardest time grasping or, or take the longest to to practice with?

Jeri Davis (16:09): Well, I, I think probably the coloring services because

Curtis Long (16:14): We saw Daisy doing that over there. Yes. Yeah.

Jeri Davis (16:17): And because we never know what our clients are coming in with. It used to be, you know, it was pretty easy. Now everything is what we call corrective color. Oh. So anytime people have had their hair previously colored, all of that has to be taken into consideration. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. What you're going to do. And so that's probably the most challenging. Now

Curtis Long (16:37): I would bet that, and I'm just guessing there are no textbooks for this. And how are you introducing concepts to kids? Is it all hands on or in

Jeri Davis (16:45): Oh no, there's, there's some good, lady cosmetology books. Oh, okay. That's used in industry as well. And so they do have to go through the theory as well. Okay. So they read about it, they write about it. Oh, they do it on their mannequins and then they, so

Curtis Long (17:01): There's more than just hands on. Oh, yes. So there, there's some paper and pencil. And, and, okay. Yes. Well, as we start to wind down our time with you, what's your favorite part of teaching cosmetology to North Clackamas students?

Jeri Davis (17:12): Oh, you know what? I think seeing them on Client Days, seeing them shine. I, I also am the Skills USA advisor, which is our afterschool program leadership program. So every year for 20 years, I've taken students who have competed at state and won a gold medal, go to nationals. And so we've competed in hair, nails, aesthetics and I love it because it's usually a student who maybe started out not really believing that they could do this and they get a whole new experience.

Curtis Long (17:46): Aright Jeri, let's brag a little bit. How have our North Clackamas students, students done in those Oh, okay. National competitions.

Jeri Davis (17:51): Yeah, they do. They do amazing work. Even I've had students compete in customer service mm-hmm <affirmative>. And in job interviews. So not just the cosmetology skills, but in others as well. And so they've become real leaders in the program.

Curtis Long (18:06): Alright before we let you go, we're at a Client Day right now. There are clients from the community here. They're having their hair, their nails, their faces, highlights being done by students here in North Clackamas. If there's a community member listening now and are interested in a Client Day, where, where should they go?

Jeri Davis (18:20): So best thing is for email. Okay. So Davis, JER at nclack-dot-k12-dot-or-us. And so that's the best way to get, because the rest of the time when it's not Client Day, I'm in my classroom teaching. That's right. So it's, it's a great experience and it gives, you know, people are always shocked at how well our students do as high school students.

Curtis Long (18:45): Oh, I'm sure they are. And Jeri Davis, thanks so much for joining us today. It's not often we get to talk with teachers that aren't teaching math or reading or history or some other subject. You're actually right here in a salon advising students as they go here on Client Day. I know you're busy. You took some time to sit down with us for our podcast. Thanks so much for being with us today.

Jeri Davis (19:04): Yes. Well thank you for coming. Yeah, I appreciate it.

Curtis Long (19:07): Thanks for listening to The Proud To Be NCSD podcast in North Clackamas. We know that education is a community effort and we're so thankful that you and your family are a part of our community. Until next time, remember, there are always great things to see wherever you go in NCSD.