Chisholm hairdressing educator Shannon Mangan has had an incredible career in the hairdressing industry. Here, she reflects on some of the highlights.

Shannon Mangan has shown professionalism and versatility in all facets required to be a successful educator.

At the age of 16, Shannon left high school and entered the hairdressing industry. Just like any new apprentice Shannon was filled with hope and trepidation. This was roughly 30 years ago.

Shannon was inspired by her Chisholm hairdressing educators and because of this, she has the passion and wisdom to understand and inspire.

Once qualified, Shannon worked in different salons, then opened her hairdressing business on the Mornington Peninsula, which she owned for 12 years.

As an employer, Shannon sent her own apprentices to Chisholm to gain their hairdressing qualification.

After selling her salon, she returned to Chisholm to study and complete her Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification.

Shannon has worked as a hairdressing educator at Chisholm Mornington Peninsula Campus since 2016.

She has been an apprentice, an employer of students who attended Chisholm, a student herself and an educator at Chisholm institute.

Shannon well and truly found her calling as a teacher and was nominated as Educator of the Year at the 2022 Chisholm Education Awards.

“I was overwhelmed by the nomination,” she says. “I feel really privileged to be doing something I love to do, combining education and hairdressing.”

Shannon’s desire without a doubt is to see her students be successful.

She says there are so many pathways that hairdressing can lead to, as her personal journey demonstrates. Shannon is currently completing her Diploma of Vocational Education and Training with Chisholm and in the future would love to express her passion and knowledge to new trainers within the hair, beauty, wellness area.