Your Students Have Changed—Has Your Teaching Style?
Why Reaching Gen Z Requires a Different Teaching Approach (and How to Support Your Team)
Lately, I’ve been having the same conversation with beauty school instructors all over the country:
“I’m doing everything I used to do—but it’s just not landing the same.”
“They don’t seem motivated.”
“It feels like they’re disengaged or just… not interested.”
“I love teaching, but it’s getting harder to connect.”
Here’s what I always tell them:
It’s not that you’ve lost your passion. It’s that the learner has changed.
We are now teaching a new generation—Gen Z students—and while they bring so many incredible traits to the classroom, they also require a different approach.
And no, that doesn’t mean throwing out everything your instructors know.
It just means giving them the tools to translate their teaching in a way Gen Z actually connects with.
Common Misconceptions About Gen Z Beauty Students
(and What’s Actually Going On)
Let’s break down a few of the most common complaints I hear
💬 “They’re lazy.”
What’s actually true: Gen Z is efficient. They’ve grown up with instant access to information, and they question old-school systems that feel like busywork (can ya blame them??) They’re not necessarily lazy… they’re strategic. Your instructors just need to show the why behind what they’re teaching.
💬 “They have no respect for authority.”
What’s actually true: Gen Z doesn’t respond to “because I said so” leadership. They respect transparency, boundaries, and mutual respect. They’re not here for power trips. They need to feel seen and supported. Instructors need communication strategies that invite participation, not just compliance.
💬 “They’re always on their phones.”
Ok this one is actually true 🤣: Gen Z lives digitally. but that doesn’t mean they’re distracted. They learn visually, interactively, and socially. The more you fight it, the more disconnected they become. So INTEGRATE it! Use short form content, visuals, reels, interaction.
💬 “They don’t want to be here.”
What’s actually true: Gen Z deeply values purpose. If your program feels transactional (clock in, clock out), they are mentally checked out. But if you create a sense of belonging, growth, and real-world impact they’ll show up. They just need to believe it matters.
So, What Do Instructors Need?
They need new tools.
New strategies.
And permission to adapt their approach to meet this generation where they are.
That’s exactly why I created my course:
🎓 “Teaching Gen Z: Reaching the Modern Beauty School Learner”
This training is designed for beauty school instructors and directors who want to:
Understand how Gen Z thinks and learns
Shift their teaching style without starting from scratch
Create classroom environments that feel relevant, engaging, and productive
Build stronger relationships with students (without losing authority)
Increase student motivation, retention, and accountability
Your instructors don’t need to work harder they need to work smarter, with a fresh lens on who today’s students actually are.
Because let’s be real: Gen Z is not a problem to solve.
They’re an opportunity to rise.
Let’s give our educators the tools to meet them with confidence.
