Summer vacation? Teachers take jobs at the beach

For generations, public school teachers have had the summer off. Theoretically, it is two months of rest and relaxation, free of the rigors of the classroom.

Though some teachers would consider it a July-August vacation, most view it as an opportunity to do something different.

Something different might be vacation or travel, additional education — or summertime jobs to supplement their teachers' salary.

"Summers are a time to regroup, definitely," said Emily Walls, a Cape Henlopen High School special education teacher who spends her summers as a server at Bluecoast restaurant in Bethany Beach.

Indeed, hundreds of teachers throughout southern Delaware finished their school year in late June and do not have to return to the classroom until late August.

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For some, it is an opportunity to return to school in pursuit of an advanced degree. Or it may simply be to take classes or workshops for professional or personal enlightenment.

"A lot of teachers are interested (in our workshops) just for personal gain," said Christopher Petrone, a marine education specialist at the University of Delaware Sea Grant program in Lewes. "Plus, our workshops can be revitalizing, they can help recharge your batteries."

Each summer, Petrone said science courses are offered for public school teachers on an array of topics, including climate change, robotics and zooplankton research in Delaware Bay.

The university's College of Earth, Ocean and Environment is considered one of the top marine research centers on the East Coast.

Classes are usually a combination of classroom studies and field work, often aboard one of the university's research vessels.

Summertime students are "usually science teachers or elementary school teachers with an interest in science," Petrone said.

"Every summer, we have a good turnout of teachers," he said.

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Taking classes is not how Millsboro Middle School science teacher Sarah Betlejewski spends her summers. In fact, her summers are about as far from the classroom as you can get.

Each year, Betlejewski is a kayak eco-tour leader at Coastal Kayak in Fenwick Island.

"I love the outdoors and I have a hard time just sitting on the beach," she said. "So, I use my summers to do things I enjoy while, at the same time padding my bank accounts."

"Besides," Betlejewski said, "kayaking allows me to share my love and knowledge of environmental and marine science while staying active during the summer."

Scott Pierce, a special education teacher at Milton Elementary, uses his summers to spend time with his two young children. He also works part time at the Schell Brothers New Home Gallery in downtown Rehoboth Beach.

"It is nice to have a change of pace from teaching," he said.

Kate Bowski, a third grade teacher at Milton Elementary and a veteran, 25-year educator, is spending her summer opening Lone Star Stables in Georgetown, a facility for boarding and training horses. Her partner is her daughter, Courtney.

The challenge of starting a new business is daunting, even with summers off.

"You have to be really good at time management," she said.

Kelci Atkins, a seventh-grade social studies teacher at Beacon Middle School in Lewes, is a server at the new Bluecoast restaurant in Rehoboth Beach. Previously, she worked summers at Matt's Fish Camp in Bethany Beach. Both restaurants are part of the SoDel Concepts group, which provides its teacher employees with some financial assistance for classroom supplies.

Naeisha Palmer, an elementary school teacher who will be teaching in the fall at the new Love Creek School in Lewes, plans to spend part of her summer traveling and the remainder teaching summer school.

"I have a plan for this year because last summer I did not realize how short two months is," said Palmer, who graduated from Hood College in 2015.

Kent Buckson, a special education teacher at Dover High School, may have the record for the longest duration summertime gig.

Since 1987, Buckson has worked as a lifeguard at Rehoboth Beach, mostly as captain of the Beach Patrol.

In his summertime role, he is responsible for training and supervising a staff of 75. Ultimately, Buckson and his staff are responsible for protecting the thousands of visitors who flock to Rehoboth Beach every summer.

Buckson said there are similarities in his two jobs.

"I sometimes reflect back on my teaching when I am supervising lifeguards," he said.

Though most teachers enjoy their time in the classroom, they also look forward to a summer break.

"I cherish the time off from school in the summers," said Walls. "I love my job as a teacher but the time away is priceless."

Added Walls: "Summers are a chance to recharge, catch up with friends and not think too much about lesson plans, meetings, or grading papers."

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