TEACHERS WORK SUMMER JOBS

Lynn Cotner laughs at the thought of spending the summer lounging by a pool. Not his style, says the Jackson science teacher.

During his summer vacation, Cotner operates a painting company, employing a handful of high school students.

Like Cotner, many teachers spend their summers working jobs other than teaching. No matter what the job, teachers seem destined to do a little teaching too.

"We do anything from the smallest apartment to light industrial to the largest mansions in Cape," said Cotner.

Lynn's Paint Co. employs three to five high school students. "I got out of retailing and needed something to do over the summer," Cotner said. "Some neighbors said they needed some painting done. It grew from there."

During the school year, he teaches chemistry and biology at Jackson High School. The summer business is a way to make some extra money.

"I'm pretty much a taskmaster in the classroom and pretty much a taskmaster on the job," Cotner said.

Over the years, many of his employees have started working with him before they could drive. Some have stayed with the company, working summers through their college careers.

"It's a teaching process and definitely a learning process. These young people have to learn to become responsible," Cotner said.

Responsibility is a lesson he teaches in his science classes as well.

Jackson speech and debate teacher Karen Kight works two jobs each summer. She is a tour guide and operates a gift-basket business from her home.

Kight works with Panorama Tours, based in Cape Girardeau. Kight possesses the perfect talents to be a tour guide. "I talk a lot and love to travel."

She leads three trips each summer. This summer's itinerary includes Branson, Colorado and Nashville. The tour groups are comprised mainly of senior citizens. "But there are a variety of people who like to travel and don't like to drive," Kight said.

Visiting different tourist locations is a plus, but the job entails lots of work. "We get up early and work real late. We like to keep everyone real busy," she said.

While traveling on the bus Kight leads discussion groups, plays games and even does exercises with the tourists.

"I know how to do this," Kight said. "I know how to keep them motivated, just like I have to do with students. And I have to entertain them. We kind of entertain students in class. We have to be great communicators."

She said knowledge of current events, essential for debaters, also gives her interesting tidbits to share with the travelers. "I also use a lot of stories on the trips that I use in speech class," Kight said. "Of course, I use my experiences on the trip in my classroom."

When Kight isn't traveling, she puts her talent for "creative shopping" to work. Three years ago, she founded Karen's Gift Baskets. She makes baskets for special occasions like wedding showers or anniversaries.

"Shopping is a lot of work, but if you are creative, it can be a lot of fun," she said. Her living room is often filled with colorful napkins, unusual pasta, bath towels and decorative soap.

The basket business has done so well, it carries over into the school year.

Debbie Yancey works part time at Lowe's home decor department this summer. She teaches physical education at Jackson's junior high during the school year.

At Lowe's, she helps customers pick out rugs and ceiling tiles and unassembled furniture.

Yancey said she enjoys having a chance to talk and work with someone over age 14. The extra money doesn't hurt either.

"I have had part-time jobs off and on during my teaching career," she said.

Working outside the school system during the summer makes Yancey appreciate her teaching job when she returns. "It gives you a different perspective," she said.

But Yancey has trouble containing her classroom management skills. "I become bossy and just naturally take over. I'm always saying, `Don't you think it would be better if we did it this way?'" Her zone manager at Lowe's isn't always impressed.

Yancey said she has taken off a couple of summers and done virtually nothing. Other summers she has taken college courses, but most often she works. "It's better to be doing something," she said.