Tips for Instructors, Administrators, and Schools Owners with Sharicka Washington

posted on: December 2, 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 Sharicka Washington, president and owner of the Institute of Skin Science in Stratham, New Hampshire.

ASCP: Please share any bits of advice you have that can make an instructor’s life easier

Sharicka Washington: While researching topics within course materials prior to class, it can be helpful to consider frequently asked or expected questions, even myths about a topic that could come up with students and include the answers in the presentation. Our textbooks often have superficial information that requires more in-depth explanations for a well-rounded understanding of a concept, and presentations have an opportunity to flow better if we can supplement additional information when needed. Also:

Maintain patience and understanding with your students. We were all in their shoes once and chances are it wasn’t easy for anyone. Starting a new career path/life journey/routine/etc., within a whole new unknown world with new people can be overwhelming. We can’t expect students to always show up as their best, but it is our role as educators to show up as our best consistently no matter what. Doing this will act as a pillar of motivation as the students move through the ups and downs of their own journey.
Each day will be different and as educators we must understand that our job is a two-way street. If the student is not in the mindset to learn, we can’t force anything and our role is to adapt to their needs while maintaining structure and authority. [Figuring out ways to adapt] is really situational; each student and class dynamic is different and you can never really know what to expect until you get a feel for their individual and collective personalities. It boils down to communication and understanding your audience in order to meet them where they are at. Students have to trust their instructors and be comfortable in their environment, and if they lose motivation or aren’t present within themselves, they won’t be as receptive to instruction or retaining information. There are many aspects of the program that are set in stone and will have no flexibility for change, but outside of that, there may be opportunities to tweak schedules or some assignments, or think of new methods of delivery to the students.
This could look like: the class takes longer to understand a concept than you had planned for. You may have to reschedule their test or spend less time on other topics while still ensuring the objectives of the course are met. 
It could also look like: a student has a panic attack right before their scheduled client arrives. It would be best to find another student to service that client if possible and make sure your student is not suffering, instead of using it as a teaching moment and telling them how it could be in “the real world” if they let a client go like that.
 Show students how to do their own research and educate themselves. Early on, we give the expectation to the students that we are not holding their hand throughout their whole career, so they will get used to finding the answer for themselves. We introduce tools like the ASCP Skin Pro app, and other resources they will have access to after graduation to compare what we are learning in the textbook to how to apply that information in everyday working world scenarios. 
Practice what you preach. Students can (and will) always uncover inauthenticity.
Have an understanding on communication styles outside of your own generation and culture, and develop an understanding of neurodiversity, communication, and learning styles other than your own. You need to be able to connect with and support everyone in your program equally.

ASCP: What advice do you have that might be relevant to either admin or school function-type issues or in your student clinic?

SW: Stick to your policies and don’t cut corners with enforcing rules. Demonstrate working world scenarios with no-shows, late clients, client scenarios, etc. 

ASCP: Do you have any overarching advice you can share with new school owners or new instructors?  

SW: To new instructors—we are all human and nobody knows every piece of information that’s out there. You should be an expert in the material you are teaching, but it is OK to not have every answer, every time. Having that expectation for yourself will lead to imposter syndrome. Additionally, try to not have rigid ways of thinking and demonstrating; there are many correct ways to approach a situation. 

To new school owners—schedule your time in a way that allows you to personally experience the daily life of a student, instructor, or other staff members to truly understand their daily ups and downs, while allowing yourself to step back and improve the environment, systems, etc., as needed. Audit class throughout various parts of the program. Beginning weeks are different than halfway and end points. Receive treatments from your students. Provide opportunity for honest (possibly anonymous) feedback or suggestions in the form of surveys from both staff and students throughout the program. 