By HANNAH WALLACH
Business Manager
Like students, teachers find ways to make money, have fun and relax during the summer vacation.
History teacher Bill Clark can be found working with adults at a nonprofit organization for people with mental disabilities, fundraising for congressmembers in the 13th District, painting the interiors of schools for the Monmouth County Vocational School District, teaching political science college classes and educating at a Monmouth County Governor School.
In the past he drove a taxicab around Point Pleasant and Manasquan, Clark said.
“I get bored, so I literally just find different jobs that will keep me busy,” he added.
Math teacher Scott Stengele also continues his career into the summer, teaching a two-week course at Biotechnology High School that helps incoming freshmen prepare for math placement.
“One extra pay check isn’t always a bad thing. I like to try to stay busy, and I obviously like math,” Stengele said.
English teacher Kelly Harmon teaches at Georgian Court University and Ranney Day School but also said she enjoys going to the beach and reading young adult fiction novels. She often re-reads classics such as The Great Gatsby and The Catcher in the Rye.
Spanish teacher Gail Plumeri also said she enjoys reading.
“[I read] all kinds of things, all kinds of fiction. I like a lot of mystery,” Plumeri said. “I usually read in my living room because I have all of the windows open, and it’s like being outside without being in the sun.”
Radio teacher Bill Bengle said he is still adjusting to summer vacation.
“This is only my second year teaching, so it’s only my second year of having off,” said Bengle. Last year he filled his newfound time with a honeymoon to Austin, Texas, he said.
“Travel. [My] advice to everyone is just travel, as much as you can and when you can. Don’t worry about what it costs, don’t worry that you should be doing other things,” Bengle said. “You should travel as much as possible and experience as many different cultures and places as you can. Especially when you’re young.”
On the other hand, Clark said he opts not to travel.
“A lot of people say travel and do this, and that, and that, [but] I just really like hanging with my wife,” Clark said. “We’re both teachers … so in the summertime we get to see each other and have dinner and stuff like that.”
English teacher Robert Sherman also said he enjoys spending time with his family. He took his now 5-year-old twins Robert and Christian to Disneyworld in November.
“The amazement in their eyes was worthwhile,” Sherman said of the trip.
“For the majority of people, the year just keeps spinning around and there’s no break point or finish line,” Sherman said. “One of the nicest aspects of being a teacher is that I do feel every year like there’s a starting line and there is a finish line, and for those two and a half [summer] months you get a nice, well-deserved break before starting up again.”