Skyline College’s own Laurie Biagi has been nominated for the 2010 N.F. Cimaglia Educator of the Year award. Biagi’s, an associate professor of cosmetology, has worked in the Cosmetology Department for over 20 years at Skyline, and is now in contention for this prestigious award. 

Coming from a family of educators, Biagi has a deep understanding of how to engage students and to help them achieve their career goals. A former student of Skyline College, Miss Marty’s School of Beauty, and UC Berkeley, she strives to motivate and inspire her students in learning the craft of cosmetology.

“In vocational education, academics are not always number one,” Biagi said. “It’s more about creativity, working with your hands—rather than reading through a book to be able get the concept.”

The N.F. Educator of the Year Award honors cosmetology instructors from around the country that exhibit passion, perseverance, and dedication to the craft. Offering a cash prize and gifts from the sponsor, Milady, the annual award is given to an instructor who displays the most dedication and has an impact on their community.

Skyline’s cosmetology program began the same year the college was established in 1969. Since the beginning it has been a popular program for students looking to get into the field, and is rated highly among other college programs. With a 98 percent passing rate for students, Joseline H. Glenn, coordinator for the cosmetology program, gives much of the credit to the work done by Biagi.

“Ms. Biagi single-handedly manages the lucrative Skyline cosmetology club made up of over 250 students, while still carrying a full teaching load for day and evening classes,” Glenn said in her letter of nomination for Biagi. “Her classes are combining difficult material with humor and games that help to create an effective learning environment.”

While many of her students may not realize that she’s up for the 2010 N.F. Cimaglia Educator of the Year award, several of her pupils and colleagues agree that it’s well deserved.

“I am very happy to hear about her nomination,” said cosmetology student Natali Truax. “Ms. Biagi’s commitment to the students should be acknowledged. She stays late, comes in on her days off, and will go out of her way to help a student. I can’t think of anyone who would deserve this award more.”

Many of the former cosmetology students who graduate from Skyline find their way back and become teacher’s assistants and instructors. Biagi credits the campus community for giving students a sense of comradery.  Another former student-turned-instructor, Cam Dinh, also spoke highly of Biagi’s commitment to the college.

“She’s really responsible for everything—students and the department as a whole,” Dinh said. “In our minds, Laurie is a top instructor here at Skyline.”

Despite being nominated for a national award, it is all in a day’s work for Biagi.

“It’s my job to do what I do to the best of my ability,” Biagi said. “I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I still enjoy it thoroughly. I feel sorry for people that don’t get up excited to go to work. After all these years, I can still say it’s the best.”