After being nominated regional instructor of the year, Danielle Markley of Hays Academy was announced as Wella’s National Instructor of the Year for 2016. As instructor of the year, Danielle Markley was awarded an all-expenses paid trip to attend the National Trend Vision Awards in Las Vegas on July 25, where she will receive her instructor of the year award live on stage.

Wella believes that behind every great student is a great teacher.  As part of Wella’s competition platform, every student who entered the Wella Trend Vision competition could nominate their mentor or instructor for special recognition.

“The Instructor of the Year is someone who encourages and inspires students throughout their journeys to becoming amazing stylists” said Paula Rufo, Wella Portfolio Education manager for North America.

“Wella believes it is our obligation as established professionals to provide guidance to the young talent in our industry. Contributing to the development and empowerment of young stylists is rooted in our culture.” said Fabio Sementilli, VP of Wella Education North America.  “Cosmetology instructors are the first stop on a beauty student’s journey, and when instructors truly mentor their students anything is possible. As an organization, we strive to not only reward but enable instructors to build students with the skills to have long sustainable careers through creative intelligence.”

Markley’s journey in the cosmetology industry began in 1997 in Hays, KS.  After completing two years at the local university studying psychology because she was repeatedly told she was too smart for beauty school and she would never make money as a hairdresser, her mom asked her a life changing question “If you won the lottery what would you do?”  The answer was easy – attend beauty school.  When her mom asked “And why aren’t you doing that now?”  Markley decided to go for it.  

Now, almost 20 years later, she works diligently to change the perception of the beauty industry.  Alongside her sister Summer Melvin, brother-in-law Len Melvin and husband Eric Markley, she co-owns Hays Academy of Hair Design in Kansas.  They started their journey in the beauty school industry with 15 students and now currently have two locations in Hays and Salina and provide cosmetology training to approximately 100 students annually. 

“I think we’re all created for a purpose in life, and I believe was born to teach.” says Markley. “My passion is to provide an educational experience that not only provides great technical training but also teaches how to make money in this industry, truly transforming lives one student at a time. At Hays Academy our goal is to graduate the most hirable, financially responsible students in the world.”

Thirteen years of teaching experience have given her the knowledge to develop and enhance curriculum, evaluate existing teachers, and produce highly qualified educators in the beauty school industry.  She looks forward to many more years of not only helping people feel great on the outside but most importantly to feel great on the inside.

“Being announced as National Educator of the year has truly been a blessing in my life” says Markley.  “When I found out I felt so honored but also very surprised at the same time, there are so many amazing instructors across the nation I feel incredibly blessed receiving this honor.”

Check out Danielle Markley’s  nomination video. https://youtu.be/L9D69q33UHQ

Join Wella for the North American Trend Vision Awards on Facebook. The event will be live streamed on the Wella Education page. Tune in to the Wella Education page this Monday, July 25 at 8 pm PST to watch. http://bit.ly/29ZI96a

To learn more about Wella’s Instructor of the year program visit http://bit.ly/29YhXIq