Since day one everyone at IOT has been so understandable to my condition medically . I thought it was going to be difficult. Stressful. But after it all it wasn’t. My expectations were low because I have been out of school for a while. But once I gained more confidence in my self and with their help in accommodating me everything changed. They made me feel like if I was one of them. Part of a village that accepted everyone and anyone. The best people I’ve meet by far. They honestly want to help you succeed. Even when you think that you can’t and you are a liability, they reassure you that there is a place out in the world just waiting for you to take the big step to continue your education. And begin your journey to being someone that make a difference. I recommend everyone to IOT. I can only hope others find their way and achieve more with the help of everyone at IOT.
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To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing this letter as a concerned student and a 100% disabled veteran who was recently removed from I.O.T. Clovis school under circumstances that I believe were unjust and discriminatory.
During my time at the school, I observed several troubling incidents that I feel compelled to bring to your attention. One of the most concerning involved a staff member, Mrs. R, who brought her personal dog—not a service animal—into the salon area and even allowed the dog onto the barber chairs. When I inquired whether I could bring my own service dog, I was told “no,” despite my legal right as a disabled veteran. I did not complain at the time, but this double standard was both disheartening and discriminatory.
I also witnessed unprofessional and inappropriate behavior from faculty. Ms. Dana, a salon teacher, made repeated suggestive remarks to students, including stating she would “spank them with a towel.” This, in my view, constitutes sexual harassment, yet no actions were taken to address it.
In terms of hygiene and state board compliance, the salon often fails to meet basic standards. Workstations are not properly sanitized between clients, and hair accumulates under chairs, indicating a lack of cleanliness that is unacceptable in a professional training environment. Mr. Leal, in particular, does not make students clean at all—his class is by far the dirtiest, which reflects a serious lack of professionalism and accountability.
Additionally, I believe there is grade and assignment manipulation occurring within the program. Students are often given credit for state board-required operations they did not perform, while others are unfairly graded based on favoritism or personal bias.
Another serious issue involves Mr. Leal, who has engaged in unprofessional conduct by speaking negatively about students with other students. He also failed to intervene when a student made a deeply offensive comment about my deceased mother. Despite being present and hearing the comment, Mr. Leal allowed the student to remain in class and did not report the incident to HR.
On one occasion, a student made a disrespectful comment regarding the weight of two female students. It was not until I stepped in to defend these individuals that the school even acknowledged the situation. Only after I spoke up did the school initiate an investigation. However, the student who made the inappropriate comment was still allowed to remain on campus, despite this behavior clearly violating the school’s own conduct codes and regulations.
I ultimately removed myself from a volatile situation that could have escalated had I not shown restraint. Instead of being acknowledged for handling the matter with maturity, I was removed from the school. As a disabled veteran, I expected to be treated with respect and fairness—not punished for doing the right thing.
This is not only a concern for the public, but also for all my fellow veterans who are being taken advantage of by not receiving the proper training required under state board regulations. Veterans deserve better when using their educational benefits and placing their trust in an institution that claims to support their career goals.
It is my belief that this institution, in its current condition, is not providing a safe, professional, or compliant environment for students. I urge you to investigate these matters thoroughly to protect the integrity of the program and the well-being of its students.
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