posted on: December 3, 2025
As part of our ongoing conversation with school owners, administrators, and instructors, we reached out to a few of our ASCP partner schools to get their best tips to share with the broader school community.
Let’s meet Steffi Toth, esthetics manager at Penrose Academy in Scottsdale, Arizona.
ASCP: Please share any bits of advice you have that can make an instructor’s life easier.
Steffi Toth: Stay organized, plan ahead, and always have a backup plan. Students love seeing educators refresh a demo, it keeps them inspired and engaged. If the clinic slows down, create a quick daily challenge or mini competition. I’m a big believer in keeping momentum; playing a game or doing product knowledge fills downtime and keeps the energy up. Build strong relationships with your team and don’t hesitate to lean on veteran educators for ideas or support.
ASCP: What advice do you have that might be relevant to either admin or school function-type issues or in your student clinic?
ST: Clear communication keeps everything running smoothly; make sure everyone stays in the loop. Support your students in staying professional and solution-focused in both the spa and classroom. A quick check-in before the clinic or a morning huddle of the day’s plans and expectations helps set a positive, organized tone for everyone.
ASCP: Do you have any overarching advice you can share with new school owners or new instructors?
ST: Lead with empathy, consistency, and kindness. Students mirror your energy, so model professionalism, patience, and passion every day. Protect your culture by creating structure while offering encouragement and flexibility. Train your students as future professionals, not just current learners, and never stop growing yourself. The beauty industry evolves fast, and so should we.
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