Rhonda Ayala, Cosmetology Instructor
Always the Student
by Amber Olbrot
In the Cosmetology world, one must be dedicated to his or her career. Mrs. Rhonda Ayala is one of those dedicated souls.
Mrs. Ayala, cosmetology instructor, earned her cosmetology teacher's license following her studies at Kankakee Academy of Hair design following her initial graduation and licensing. Ms. Ayala began her teaching career at the Kankakee Academy, staying two years. She then moved on to teach at the Broadway Beauty School while also managing a Fantastic Sam's Hair Salon. Mrs. Ayala came to the Kankakee Area Career Center ten years ago, dedicating herself to her craft and her students. she says she "loves working with the students," and "sharing her knowledge with them."
Ms. Ayala has never tired to learning and has an insatiable appetite for knowledge. She is always the student ~ and a fine teacher. Just about as soon as she graduated and received her licenses, Mrs. Ayala got right back to school and continues going to this day~now attending Olivette Nazarene University. Although she loves working with the students and sharing her talents, she says someday, she wants to open her own salon and run her own business.
Mrs. Ayala's most memorable moments as a teacher is when she sees her students. She says she loves watching her students work and utilizing the information she shares with them in creating new designs for their customers. Ms. Ayala believes this sends a good message and proves the students' confidence.
According to Mrs. Ayala, there is a lot of information to learn and skills to master in the cosmetology class. Knowing what to do at any given moment givers her students a great sense of accomplishment. "Once you feel a sense of accomplishment," says Mrs. Ayala.
Mrs. Ayala says she really loves what she's doing. Her only area of difficulty comes when students are disrespectful or is not truthful. Mrs. Ayala demands immediate apologies are made and says she truly believes"Lying is the root of all evil."
Some of the hardest things to keep up with in the class is the anatomy chapter, and one of the easiest things to learn, in Mrs. Ayala's opinion, is the manicures and pedicures.
When asked if Mrs. Ayala could be any super hero, she said she would love to be Sabrina, The Teenage Witch. With all the different powers she possesses, she can do anything. But from my point of view, Mrs. Ayala has everything she needs and is very happy to be at Kankakee Area Career Center.
