We recently connected with Natalie Lanners and have shared our conversation below.
Natalie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career.
Although I am a full time wedding hair stylist now, my original career was as an elementary school teacher. Unfortunately I did not teach very long, but it did give me a glimpse into the education system and how I believe it is failing both its teachers and students because of the lack of support, standardized testing, and the push for 4 year college.
My first year full time teaching role at age 23 had a very unique beginning. I began the school year as a 1st grade long term sub in a larger public school in a Minneapolis suburb. 1 month in, the school was looking for another 5th grade teacher since the class sizes were too big at 30 kids a room. I interviewed and got the job! I would be taking 6 kiddos from each of the 4 classrooms and transition from 1st grade to my own VERY empty classroom over one weekend. I was given a $400 budget for supplies and my room was the old staff lounge IN the cafeteria, which also happened to be across the school and down a floor from my 5th grade team. It took weeks to get my SmartBoard (where all of the curriculum was made), so I spent a lot of time reworking it to use with a projector and whiteboard. I relied on the graciousness of my classroom parents, my mom, my grandma, other teachers around me, including a 2nd grade teacher who gave me a tub full of 5th grade level books.
As a brand new teacher, this was an enormous undertaking. I felt I did a wonderful job for the situation I was put in and was able to connect with my students and create a classroom we all loved. My job was only a 1 year contract so I had to interview again. Long story short, they did not rehire me and I was distraught. The only feedback I recall receiving was that I got behind on curriculum and didn’t contribute enough to the team. Being young and inexperienced, those 2 things. make sense to me. However, I witnessed my experienced teammates fall behind on curriculum, too. I am more of a listener/learner at first before I feel confident enough to contribute. So as a new teacher I felt like I didn’t have much to give at the time since I was so disconnected from my team – both from a location standpoint and the fact that I felt like I couldn’t relate to my teammates (they were all mothers and I was living at home with my parents).
Looking back on my experience, I remember being so stressed about all the work I put in outside of school. My mom was constantly helping me grade homework, projects, and papers after she got home from her stressful job as a special ed para. My grandma also volunteered in my classroom about once a week. I am a very creative person and wanted to make learning fun, keep my classroom organized, and find unique ways to manage my classroom and connect with my students. Then add in standardized testing…
Teaching to the test is an unfortunate reality of being a teacher. These tests completely ignore our students’ learning styles and unique gifts and interests. We stuff their brains with information just long enough for them to get some answers correct on a test that doesn’t value them as a human. That is NOT learning and does not help kids to become the best version of themselves and to find their place in the world.
I was one of those kids that felt left behind because of these tests. I was a very responsible and detailed student, but never did as well on the tests as my twin sister who tended to skip homework and miss important deadlines. I was such a creative kid and those tests never reflected that. In high school, basically the only option that was pushed on us was to go to 4 year college. So, I took every art class I could get my hands on in high school. I chose to major in elementary education because I didn’t think I could make a career out of art, and frankly didn’t think I was good enough to do that or even become an art teacher. I did always say my backup job if I burned out from teaching was to be a hairstylist… and look where I am now!
I absolutely do not regret going to college, but between standardized testing and the push for 4 year college I see how that is a massive issue now. I felt it as a young teacher and despised having to prepare my students for these tests. There’s SO much more to learning than sitting quietly at a desk and being force fed information, and then pushed to attend college. In reality, many students are not ready for that right after high school. School needs to allow kids to be kids, create time for more hands-on, relevant, and immersive learning instead of so much standardized testing. Students should be educated on the vast amount of options after high school, such as working, attending technical college, or taking the opportunity to explore the world and all the possible careers and lifestyles out there. They should not be pushed into attending a 4 year college (which they will likely go into debt for and then not be able to get a high enough paying job to pay off their loans for YEARS). That’s a whole other issue that needs to be addressed!
In the end, my question is – how can we actually measure the intelligence and uniqueness of our students and guide them toward a fulfilling life? I’m pretty sure it means a lot more money and support for teachers so they can actually teach and not have to turn kids into test taking machines…
Natalie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Growing up, I spent a lot of time drawing horses, faces & flowers. I even learned how to braid on my American girl doll’s horse (yes, my mom still has it, braid intact!). I received my degree in Elementary Education from St. Ben’s in 2013, but I always said my backup plan would be to do hair if I burned out from teaching. I quickly realized that didn’t have to be my backup plan, so I enrolled at Faces Etc. of MN where I received my certificate in Multimedia Makeup Artistry in 2015. I was also able to take my first hairstyling class at Faces and fell head over heels in love! I now specialize in wedding hairstyling, and style 50+ weddings a year.
I’ve done all types of hair styles, but specialize in creating boho updos, half ups, and braids! I am abn absolute perfectionist. So have no fear! You can be open and honest with me about your hair goals and ANY adjustments needed to get you the picture perfect hair you deserve (because I want that too!) I am comfortable working with a multitude of hair types/texture – curly, short, fine, hair extensions, extremely long hair, thick hair, postpartum hair, and I’ve even styled a couple wigs! Since many of the boho styles you see online are very voluminous, I include clip-in extensions for my brides so that I can make their hair dreams come true!
My goal is to make your entire experience with me feel easy. I want you to feel cared for and supported throughout your wedding planning process. My biggest role is of course on your wedding morning! I will always provide you with a detailed schedule, allow for flexibility, and keep the vibes happy and as stress free as possible. Does someone need their dress zipped? Need help deciding on jewelry? Need me to cut tags/loose strings off? Provide a playlist? Someone wants their hair adjusted ot touched up? Does a bridesmaid need to pump while getting her hair done? Do you need to eat while getting your hair done? I GOTCHU! I’ve been a part of hundreds of wedding mornings, so I understand the businesses and emotions that creep up and will guide you through anything and everything!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The best part of wedding hair styling is handing a bride the mirror so she can see her hair for the first time! Having someone trust the process and allow me to take some creative liberties always makes for an awesome style. The smiles, claps, and compliments never get old!
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
This is a constant work in progress, but most of my bridal clients find me on instagram! I don’t have a huge following, but I have learned to work with hashtags, trending audio, and posting styles that I love so that my ideal client can find me.
I took a bridal business course from Marissa Grace Artistry and it was an absolute game changer! I learned how to plan content, set up an efficient client management system (Honeybook), and create content that acknowledges my clients hair problems and how I am able to help them overcome that.
It is A LOT of work, so don’t try to do everything all at once (guilty!) Slowly add and adjust your social media presence so that it feels genuine and attainable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nataliejeanhair.com
- Instagram: nataliejeanhair
Image Credits
Render Photography
Boundless Exposure
Lulle Photo & Film
Whitney Wiatt
Alina Kay Photography