Meet The Staff
At Houston School, our team is made up of dedicated professionals with years of experience in the medical, wellness, and beauty fields. Each instructor brings unique expertise, a passion for teaching, and a commitment to preparing students for successful careers. Together, they create a supportive learning environment where knowledge, skill, and confidence grow every day.
Nina Alarcón
With over two decades of hands-on experience in the wellness, aesthetic, and holistic health industries, Nina Alarcón is a respected educator, mentor, and visionary leader dedicated to forming the next generation of highly skilled therapists. As a Naturopathic Doctor specializing in Herbal Medicine and Aesthetic Medicine, her career has been guided by a deep belief in integrative care, treating the body, mind, and emotions as one, while empowering individuals through education, prevention, and conscious self-care.
Nina is the founder of Fit & Healthy LLC, an innovative wellness and aesthetics spa recognized for its non-surgical, results-driven treatments and holistic approach to beauty and health. Under her leadership, the spa has become one of the most forward-thinking centers in the Greater Houston area, supported by a multidisciplinary team committed not only to client care but also to education and professional excellence.
A passionate educator at heart, Nina has dedicated much of her career to teaching, mentoring, and collaborating with local schools and institutions to elevate standards in aesthetics, massage therapy, and wellness. Her expertise spans nutrition, herbal medicine, aesthetic technologies, and ethical business practices, knowledge she actively shares to help students grow into confident, competent, and purpose-driven professionals.
As Founder and CEO of the Houston School of Esthetics & Massage, Nina serves as both an executive leader and instructor, where she combines real-world experience, strong ethics, and a holistic philosophy to guide students beyond technical skills, preparing them for sustainable careers, leadership roles, and lifelong success in the wellness industry.
Celia Sampson
Celia Johnson Sampson is an accomplished beauty education leader with a strong background in cosmetology, business operations, and instructional development. She brings extensive experience in academic leadership, faculty coaching, and program management within nationally recognized beauty education institutions.
Celia studied Biology and Business at the University of New Orleans before completing her cosmetology education at the Aveda Institute of Baton Rouge, where she earned her cosmetology license. She later obtained her Instructor License in the State of Louisiana, expanding her impact from hands-on practice to professional education and mentorship.
Throughout her career, Celia has held key leadership roles within the Aveda Arts & Sciences network, including Instructional Coach at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute in Baton Rouge and Director of Operations at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute in Corpus Christi. In these roles, she led academic teams, supported student success initiatives, strengthened operational systems, and ensured compliance with educational standards.
She currently serves as the Director of Education at the Houston School of Esthetics & Massage, where she provides strategic academic leadership, supports faculty development, and helps shape programs that prepare students for successful, sustainable careers in the beauty and wellness industry.
Natora Foreman
Natora Foreman is a medical professional and educator with approximately 10 years of experience in the healthcare field and over 5 years of experience serving as a clinical Preceptor. She brings a broad, hands-on clinical background and a strong commitment to excellence in medical education.
Her professional experience spans a wide range of specialties, including pediatrics, orthopedics, wound care, pain management, urology, hematology, oncology, dermatology, allergy care, and phlebotomy. This diverse clinical exposure allows her to provide students with real-world insight, practical skill development, and a strong foundation in patient care.
Natora holds a degree in Health Science and maintains multiple professional certifications, including Certified BLS Instructor, Certified Preceptor, and CCMA II (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant II). Her credentials reflect her dedication to safety, clinical competency, and high standards of healthcare practice.
As the Phlebotomy Instructor at the Houston School of Esthetics & Massage, Natora is committed to equipping students with the technical skills, clinical confidence, and professional readiness required to succeed in today’s healthcare environment. Her instructional approach emphasizes precision, patient safety, ethical practice, and hands-on mastery, ensuring graduates are prepared to perform with confidence from day one.
Shena Moore
Shena Moore Cotton is an experienced healthcare professional with over 15 years of experience in the medical field, bringing a strong foundation in clinical care, patient safety, and professional excellence.
She studied at Prairie View A&M University and completed her medical training at Sanford Brown, where she developed the technical skills and clinical knowledge that have guided her career. Throughout her professional journey, Shena has worked across multiple areas of healthcare, gaining valuable hands-on experience and a comprehensive understanding of patient care standards and best practices.
Known for her commitment to quality care and ethical practice, Shena brings a patient-centered and detail-oriented approach to her work. Her professional background allows her to effectively translate real-world clinical experience into practical instruction, helping students build confidence, competence, and professionalism.
At the Houston School of Esthetics & Massage, Shena contributes her expertise by supporting student development through hands-on guidance, strong clinical fundamentals, and a commitment to preparing future healthcare professionals for successful, sustainable careers.
Miriam Ordoñez
Miriam Ordoñez is a Medical Doctor with a strong background in occupational health and a licensed Massage Therapist in the State of Texas, bringing a highly integrative and clinically informed approach to massage therapy education. Her professional experience combines medical knowledge with hands-on therapeutic practice across a broad range of massage modalities, including therapeutic, rehabilitative, prenatal, geriatric, lymphatic, post-surgical, pain management, and spa-based body treatments. As a Reiki Master, she further enhances her instructional perspective by integrating principles of stress regulation, energy balance, and holistic wellness.
At the Houston School of Esthetics & Massage, Miriam serves as a massage therapy instructor and Spanish-language educator, supporting academic accessibility and excellence for Spanish-speaking students. Her multidisciplinary training allows her to effectively bridge medical science with practical application, preparing students to deliver safe, ethical, and results-driven care within today’s wellness and healthcare environments.
Maribel Quintero
Maribel Quintero is a passionate massage therapy professional dedicated to continuous learning and excellence in education. She holds multiple professional licenses, including Massage Therapist, Massage Therapy Instructor, Continuing Education Provider, and Cosmetologist, with licensure in the states of Texas and Virginia.
She specializes in Thai Massage and has trained extensively both in the United States and internationally. Her professional training includes immersive studies in Thailand the birthplace of Thai Massage as well as advanced education in California and Peru, with her most recent 14-day training completed in Thailand in 2025.
Maribel also holds a degree in Education and Community Development, which strongly influences her teaching approach. Her career reflects a deep commitment to sharing knowledge, inspiring students, and honoring the art of massage therapy through education, discipline, and purpose.