After radio teacher Bill Bengle takes off his headphones and closes the radio studio at the end of the school year, he starts a summer full of painting and repairs for MCVSD.

Bengle is one of many teachers at CHS with multiple jobs. He travels between the MCVSD schools and paints whatever is in need of refurbishment, along with the help of some other teachers. Bengle also makes “minor repairs like patching drywall and other minor custodial things” for the school district over the summer.

His work does not stop there: Bengle is also a night school teacher for MCVSD, a groundskeeper for the Methodist Cemetery in Neptune and an occasional employee of a catering company. Bengle said he enjoys his work, but finds it difficult to balance with his personal life.

“It is a lot of work and time spent away from family and doing other things, but I have always worked multiple jobs ever since I was in college so I am used to it,” Bengle said.

Bengle isn’t the only teacher at CHS who works multiple jobs. History and speech teacher Bill Clark works for two catering companies year-round, and paints with Bengle over the summer.

Biology and health teacher Jeanine Gomez tutors students in AP Biology in the Belmar, Avon and Bradley Beach area during the school year. Gomez said the same thing that drew her to her second job was what drew her to teaching.

“I love to see the light bulb go on when a student works through a difficult concept as well as the confidence that is built during this process,” Gomez said.

While teaching is their first priority, many teachers with multiple jobs feel that it will help them get an edge financially in the long run.

“I love teaching but it does not pay what it should. With taxes and cost of living going up all the time, I need to supplement my income just to stay ahead,” Bengle said.

For others, the extra income isn’t just for necessities.

“I like to travel and have spare cash. Life is expensive,” Clark said.