High school barbering academy opens doors for lifelong career

SPRING, Texas -- It looks like a state-of-the art-salon, but the young barbers at work at Mystros Barbering Academy are all in high school!

The brand new facility at Westfield High School is part of the Spring Independent School District's first-ever barbering program, which can help students become fully licensed as a barber. Local barber Eros Shaw is the students' teacher and started the hands-on program to open new career doors for high schoolers.

"It's important to have this program here for the students because it gives them another opportunity," said Shaw. "Not all of our kids will have the opportunity to attend college. There are a lot of kids that are really good with their hands and have other things that they're interested in versus actually going off to college."

Students must pass a customer service class, as well as Barbering 1 and 2 before they can complete enough hours to earn their state barbering license. Afterward, they can participate in career prep programs and work professionally as a fully licensed barber.

"From this experience, I hope for my students to walk out of here knowing that they did something for themselves, important to their future," said Shaw.

His students are grateful for the opportunity, and to their teacher for making a difference in their lives.

"Mr. E rules," said Westfield High student Jacob Lara. "Laid-back. Understanding. Cool. The term he likes to use is, no one gets left behind, which is something I admire about a teacher, they're not going to let you fail."