Meet Our Expert Instructors
Our expert-level instructors are committed to helping each and every one of our students exceed in their studies.
AESTHETICS INSTITUTE
Meet Our Instructors
Director of Education
“I believe that it is our professional responsibility to teach to the highest standard. I hear people all the time say, ‘you will learn once you start working’ or ‘go somewhere [beauty school] fast”.
If you want to be seen as a professional and work in the top tier of the industry, you need to take time and invest in yourself.
Unlike any other, this is an industry with so many different directions you can grow your career. Having a great education is always going to be a huge factor in your overall success and put you ahead of the rest”.
Monique Raab
- Director of Education
- Comité International d’Esthétique et de Cosmétologie (CIDESCO) Diplomat
- Licensed Esthetics Instructor (LEI)
- Certified Advanced Esthetics Instructor (CAEI)
" All the teachers are amazing, but Laura was a true mentor to me and an incredible teacher who was honest yet encouraging. I owe my confidence and skill to the school, and I’ll never forget how it has helped to shape the esthetician I am today.”
Rachael Almada
Masters & Advanced Esthetics 2021
Masters & Advanced Esthetics 2021
" All the teachers are amazing, but Laura was a true mentor to me and an incredible teacher who was honest yet encouraging. I owe my confidence and skill to the school, and I’ll never forget how it has helped to shape the esthetician I am today.”
Rachael Almada
Masters & Advanced Esthetics 2021
Masters & Advanced Esthetics 2021
Founder
Cynthia R. Mendoza
- School Founder
- Comité International d’Esthétique et de Cosmétologie (CIDESCO) Diplomat
- Licensed Esthetics Instructor (LEI)
- Certified Advanced Esthetics Instructor (CAEI)
“Everyone learns differently and this school was founded on the idea that we can meet those needs.
It has been such a privilege and honor to help so many people start their careers in esthetics. I am so proud of our instructors and all the graduates of the Aesthetics Institute!”
Assistant Director
“We spend a great deal of energy and effort to create and foster a ‘culture of inquiry’ here at the Aesthetics Institute. It means our school is a safe place for learning, making mistakes, and overcoming challenges.
Students are encouraged to ask questions, delve deep into the technology, and ultimately make mistakes, without the fear of reprimand or punishment.
My goal as a teacher is for my students to be prepared for the ‘real world’. I will say the same thing a 100 different times in a 100 different ways until we find a path to understanding. The confidence to apply what you learn here is vital to the success of our students.”
Laura Larrabee
- Assistant Director
- Licensed Esthetics Instructor (LEI)
- Certified Advanced Esthetics Instructor (CAEI)
Licensed Esthetics Instructor
Raquel Schalck
- Licensed Esthetics Instructor (LEI)
“It is pretty incredible to come full circle, from being a student at the Aesthetics Institute to working in the industry for many years to now being back helping students learn how to be top-notch professionals who love this field.
I want each one of my students to leave the Institute confident that they are highly trained and ready for any challenges ahead of them!”
Lead Advanced Esthetics Instructor
“It is so awesome to watch something ‘click’ in someone’s head just because you explained it a certain way.
Not everyone learns the same way, and one subject may have to be taught in three different methods for everyone to learn it correctly. So when I figure out what really worked for that specific student, it’s truly a great feeling!”
Tashauna Carter
- Lead Advanced Esthetics Instructor
- Licensed Esthetics Instructor (LEI)
- Certified Advanced Esthetics Instructor (CAEI)
Licensed Esthetics Instructor
Bailee Meng
- Licensed Esthetics Instructor (LEI)
- Certified Advanced Esthetics Instructor (CAEI)
“A career in esthetics can be extremely gratifying if you’re willing to put in the work. Also, learn everything! Even if you think you only want to do lashes, waxing, or focus on a single service after you graduate, you should still try everything.
Give it your all to finding what makes you happy; that attitude will lead you to what you’re good at doing, too. Knowledge is power, and you can never stop learning!”
Licensed Esthetics Instructor
“Esthetics is a gratifying field heavily focused on educating people.
It is my responsibility to introduce students to the fundamentals of healthy skin care and all of the treatments they can learn and deploy.
Students need to become experts in this industry, not only so they can provide services to their clients, but also so they can educate and inform them of how to best to take care of their skin.”
Jade Mora
- Licensed Esthetics Instructor (LEI)
Director of Admissions & Alumni Relations
Colette Neva
- Director of Admissions & Alumni Relations
“I love all the people that I get to interact with at The Aesthetics Institute! The clients, the instructors, the students, and the entire staff!
But I really enjoy the opportunities I have
each day to speak with prospective students and their families and hear about their career hopes and dreams.
I also love it when past students come in for services or to pick up products and share their post-graduate success stories with me!”
Clinic Coordinator
“I really enjoy meeting and chatting with clients and helping them choose services that best serve their skincare goals.
I also love getting to know our students and seeing them become more and more confident in their knowledge and skill sets as they progress through their programs.
I have fun in the building every day because I appreciate my co-workers, and I am always learning something new from them!”
Ashley Yandell
- Clinic Coordinator
Social Media Content Creation & Marketing
Claire Newrones
- Social Media Content Creation & Marketing
“I think students should consider their future professional goals and take advantage of the resources the Aesthetics Institute offers in career planning and business.
There is so much to learn to be a successful esthetician outside of the treatment room, including social media marketing, business development, and other professional skills meant to set up graduates for long-term success. We teach all of that here, and students should learn it all!”
Director of Communications
“Before taking on this position, I suppose I had a “treat ‘yo self” idea about the beauty industry. And while there is nothing wrong with some self-pampering, I continue to be blown away by the level of science and technology that goes into what we teach our students about skincare and esthetics.
From acne scars to other serious skin ailments, it is pretty incredible to watch our students help our clients begin to feel comfortable again in their own skin!
The beauty industry offers opportunities and a worldwide community of individuals ready to hire and support our graduates, and I am very happy to be even a tiny part of that.”
Ryan Klute
- Director of Communications
