Teachers seek summer jobs

One in five teachers that leave for summer break in Yuma County don’t come back.

It’s part of a growing problem that our local schools have to face each year.

One program is hoping to end the cycle by providing these teachers summer jobs so they can stick around for the next school year.

It’s called Summer Works, where businesses can post jobs, teachers can submit resumes, and the employers can find their perfect match.

When school is out for the summer, it doesn’t just make for happy kids looking to fill the days with fun. Teachers are looking for an extra job to help pay expenses.

“Well obviously they don’t make a whole lot of money and that’s one problem,” said John Courtis, executive director of Yuma County Chamber of Commerce.

The Yuma County Chamber of Commerce said 20 percent of teachers who leave Yuma County for a summer job do not come back.

“Last year 19 teachers were hired out of 120 that put resumes out there,” said Courtis .

That leaves 101 Yuma county teachers without a job over the summer.

This program’s goal is to encourage businesses to hire teachers.

“These teachers that we want to have hired, they’re fingerprinted , they’re vetted, they’re charged up, and ready to rock and roll. They want to stay here.”

Courtis said from the business side, it’s not a huge commitment but a big investment in our education system.

“We are talking four to five weeks you know, five to six hours a day whatever. We know if there are tasks and projects out there businesses can’t get to, hire a teacher for that. It’s a beautiful thing.”