Milady RISE Educator Program

Become a confident educator and excel in classroom teaching with our intensive six-month program. Gain the essential skills to effectively cater to diverse learners and learning styles, making a significant impact on your school's retention rate.This program does not lead to a state license.

If you're a school owner purchasing for your instructors, find more information below.

Registration for this program is now closed. Our next session begins in January 2026. Please check back soon for updates and open registration.

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Milady RISE Educator Program

  • Flexible
    Scheduling

    Six months at 10 hours per week. Instructor-led blended program with a mix of self-paced learning and live Q&A.

  • Join Hundreds of Others

    Hundreds of other instructors have already taken this program and found significant value in it.

  • Open to ALL Knowledge Levels

    From beginners to seasoned instructors, this program is a great fit for you.

More information on:

Pricing What You'll LearnYour InstructorFAQsReviews

Program Pricing

Don't miss out on our special early bird pricing and group discounts available now. We are confident that you will be delighted with this program, but if it doesn't meet your expectations, we offer a 30-day money back guarantee (from the program start date).

  • Super Early Bird: $599.99 each. SAVE $100
    Limited to the first 20 registrants.

  • Early Bird: $649.99 each. Save $50
    Available until 7 days before program start date. Then pricing will change to Regular Registration.

  • Regular Registration: $699.99 each.
    Available for 14 days after the program start date, then registration will close.

Are you a school owner purchasing this program for your Instructors?

  • 1—4 Instructors: Purchase here to receive the pricing listed above. At checkout: For 1 instructor, select the "GIFT" option at checkout to enroll them directly. For 2 or more instructors, update the "QUANTITY" field to match the number of seats you need. After your purchase, you’ll receive a sign-up link to share with your instructors. They can use this link to register—no payment information will be required.

  • 5+ Instructors: Email [email protected] to request a promotional code for enrolling your instructors at the group rate of $499.99 each. Once you receive your promo code, simply follow the same steps outlined above for purchasing seats for 2 or more instructors.

  • Does your school need to use an invoice or purchase order? Click here for more information.

You'll Learn:

Learner Characteristics and Learning Principles

Methods of Teaching and Learning

Program Development and Lesson Planning

Educational Aids and Technology

Communicating Confidently and Effective Presentations

Classroom Management and Supervision

Challenges to Learning

Assessing Progress and Advising Students

Success Strategies for Students

Catering to diverse learners effectively

And so much more...

About Your Instructor

Lisha Barnes

Lisha Barnes currently serves as the Academic Development Manager for Milady. She is responsible for developing and delivering the Milady Professional Educator curriculum, Master Educator instructor CEU program, and supporting schools with curriculum development and product knowledge. She is a licensed cosmetologist, barber, and instructor. She received a Bachelor's of Science in Communications from Eastern New Mexico University and her Cosmetology, Barber, and Student Instructor training at Olympian University of Cosmetology. Lisha’s thorough understanding of the cosmetology school industry comes from over 25 years of hands-on experience serving in various roles, including Instructor, Director of Education, Admissions, Financial Aid, Accreditation, and School Administrator for multiple private cosmetology schools. Lisha has also served as NACCAS Commissioner and AACS Accreditation Committee Chair among many other prestigious positions.
Lisha Barnes Headshot

Become a confident classroom educator.

FAQs

  • Who is this program designed for?

    This program is designed for new instructors or professionals who would like to become beauty school educators. It will serve as your pathway to confident teaching in a classroom.

  • How long is this program?

    This program will last for 6 months and will take about 10 hours per week.

  • How much does it cost?

    This program is available to you at $699.99.
    However, we offer various discounts depending on when you register, and if you have multiple instructors enrolling.

    Program Pricing Super Early Bird: $599.99 (SAVE $100). Available to the first twenty (20) registrants of the program, then pricing will become "Early Bird."
    Early Bird: $649.99 (SAVE $50). Available until seven (7) days before the program start date, then pricing will become "Regular Registration."
    Regular Registration: $699.99. Available for fourteen (14) days after the program start date, then registration will close.

    If you're a School Owner enrolling 5 or more Instructors, email [email protected] to request a promotional code for enrolling your instructors at the group rate of $499.99 each. Then use the checkout option on this page. At checkout, be sure to update the "Quantity" field to reflect the number of seats you wish to buy. After completing your purchase, you’ll receive a sign-up link to share with your instructors. They can use this link to register for the course—no payment information will be required from them.

    Remember, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee. All refund requests have to be received within 30 days of the course start date. To request a refund, please submit a ticket at milady.com/support. Use case problem type "Refund/Return and follow the on-screen instructions.

  • Does this lead to a state license?

    No, this does NOT lead to a state license. This program was designed as a pathway to teaching with confidence for those in states with little to no license requirements for instructors.

  • Is this program live or recorded?

    Both. This program consists of mostly recorded trainings, but offers the opportunity for live Q&A sessions (that are not mandatory).

  • Are the live Q&A sessions mandatory?

    No, the live Q&A sessions are not mandatory. However, they are not recorded or available for replay.

  • How much of this program is taught live?

    We will host monthly Q&A sessions. However, Lisha or TA(s) will be regularly available to answer questions via the chat or email.

  • Will I have direct access to Lisha Barnes, the instructor?

    Yes. Lisha will have set hours that she will be available for questions. We'll also have limited access for registration to ensure Lisha and TAs have ample time for each and every student.

  • Will I have the ability to interact with other students in the program?

    Yes. You'll have the ability to interact with other students via chat, discussion boards, etc. So you can learn and grow together.

  • What if I don't like the program or can't handle the time commitment?

    If you don't like the program, can't handle the time commitment, or it wasn't what you were expecting, we're offering a 30-day money back guarantee. So the program is no-risk to you - but we're confident you'll enjoy it.

  • What if I don't have time to get this done in 6-months?

    If 6-months (~10 hours per week) is too much, you can take this course at your own pace. You will have access to the course for 6 months after the program ends (a total of 12 months), so you have 1-year to complete the program and can take it at your own pace.

  • How does the 30-day money back guarantee work?

    If within 30 days of the program starting you decide that you don't like the program, or you can't handle the time commitment, you can request a refund by submitting a ticket at milady.com/support. Use case problem type "Refund/Return and follow the on-screen instructions.
    The 30-day money back guarantee starts when the course starts (Ex: if the course starts on September 22, 2025, you have until October 22, 2025 to request a refund, even if you purchased the program months prior).

  • Will I get a certificate of completion?

    Yes. At the end of the program you'll obtain a certificate of completion.

  • When will I get charged for this program?

    If you decide to enroll in this program, you will be charged at the date of enrollment. However, the 30-day money back guarantee starts when the course starts (Ex: if the course starts on September 22, 2025, you have until October 22, 2025 to request a refund, even if you purchased the program months prior).

  • School Owners: Want to purchase for your instructors?

    If you're a school owner purchasing for your instructors, find more information here.

What others have said about the program:

I recently signed up for the RISE Educator Program and it was undoubtedly one of the most beneficial experiences I have had as an educator and director. It has enabled me to become a more confident instructor, as well as provided me with access to a network of other educators which is difficult to find. I was exposed to up-to-date information, various perspectives, and mindsets, and learned how to navigate CIMA just as my students would. I joined this program to serve as a role model for my other educators, share my knowledge, and be the best educator I can be. It also taught me the importance of different learners and classroom settings in the learning process. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to become a better educator.

—Past Program Participant

I found that this program truly taught me how to engage various learning styles. With more engaged students, we're seeing less students drop, and our school has increased retention.

—Past Program Participant

Having just graduated from cosmetology school, I wanted to become an educator. Even though Texas no longer required instructor licensure, I wanted a strong teaching foundation - so when I saw Milady, the same curriculum I studied in school, offering the RISE Educator Program, I knew it was the perfect fit for me. Before this program, I was a timid educator, but after completing it I felt much more confident. My fellow educators noticed the difference in me and I was able to share the knowledge I had gained from the program with them. I believe that, for anyone in Texas wanting to become an educator, completing this program will help set you apart.

—Past Program Participant

Being new to teaching, I didn't feel like I was a strong educator, and could benefit from more training. My boss came to me and asked what I thought I needed, and I told her to participate in the RISE Educator Program. Having gone through the program, I learned how to identify the different learners and how to educate my students in a fun and interactive way. As a result of this program, I have become a more confident educator, and because of that, this program pays for itself.

—Past Program Participant

If you think you're a good educator now, you're going to be great when you get through this program.

—Past Program Participant

One of our instructors completed the instructor course years ago, so we felt that the RISE Educator Program would be a great refresher for him, and beneficial for our other instructors to take the class since Texas no longer requires instructors to take the instructor program. We want our instructors to have all the resources and education possible to better instruct our students, and we want them to value education as much as I do. The industry has changed so much over the years, as well as the students, but overall our instructors enjoyed the class a great deal.

—Owner/ Director of Financial Aid for a school in Texas

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