The average person has one job. Maybe two.

She has four.

Her career began 30 years ago when the College Board announced they were starting a new human geography program. IB and AP Human Geography teacher Ann Linsley was sent as one of the two representatives from Texas to work with the College Board. 

“Basically, [the opportunity] fell in my lap because I was already teaching IB Geography,” Linsley said.

As a contract consultant for AP Human Geography, she is sent around the world to train other teachers by the College Board. She has been to China, Canada and all over the United States to train other teachers. But her work in human geography doesn’t stop there.

“I’m staying in the [human geography] content area,”  Linsley said. “[My jobs are involved with] the application of the content into different audiences. It’s all staying in geography, which I absolutely love.”

Her love of geography translates into writing as well. She works with Bedford Freeman and Worth publishers, developing content for the current AP Human Geography textbook. Often, [this job] provides additional perks or lessons that Linsley can implement for her students. 

“Two, three years ago, [the textbook publisher] owed me additional money for [the] work I had done,” Linsley said. “The [new] book had just come out, and I said, ‘I really need classroom copies of the book.’ So they gave me the equivalence of the [money they owed me] in books.” 

Outside of Bellaire, she teaches 40 students at the University of Houston, Clear Lakein two asynchronous courses: Modern Physical Geography and Landscape of North America.

“I meet with students [online] on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 7 to 8 o’clock, but if they don’t show up, I give the Zoom link to my own [Bellaire] students,” Linsley said. “If [a student] want[s] extra help, I’d be glad to talk to [them].” 

Part of Linsley’s motivation for working at the University of Houston is her Bellaire students. Working at a university gives her an insight into what her high schoolers need to know for college, so she can better prepare them to transition into college.” 

“I see what happens at the university level, and I know what I’m doing is right for my kids.” Linsley said. “One thing I told my kids earlier this week [was], make sure you master Canvas, because that’s what you’re going to have as a learning management system at the university level. Know how to do all this stuff before we arrive on campus, so you don’t have a learning curve like everyone else does.”

Even though her job at the university is very similar to the course she teaches at Bellaire, her student’s motivations provide the biggest difference. 

“Bellaire is my primary job,” Linsley said. “Bellaire influences my other [jobs]. I am extremely grateful for the students that I have at Bellaire High School, because my students want to push themselves.”

But juggling four jobs takes a toll. Linsley has little time to grade student work, leaving her weekends to bear the brunt of it. Yet even while only getting four to five hours of sleep a night, Linsley still said that  her multiple professions provide her with rewarding opportunities.  

“I get to work with like-minded geographers from around the country [and] around the world,“ Linsley said. “It’s something [special] when you can be with like-minded, like-ambition[ed] folks. [The geography field has] always been a good community.”

Aquatic Science teacher Jane Baker doesn’t stay stagnant. She looks for something to do. 

This search has brought her to wear many hats, or rather – lab coats. In her eight years of being a Bellaire science teacher, she has taken on the additional roles of Houston Museum of Natural Science Educator, Houston Space Center’s Rocket Camp Instructor, curriculum writer for Nutty Scientists and Mad Scientist employee.

“I’ve loved teaching, but I felt like I need to grow a little,” Baker said. “Growth is why [I] seek out additional careers].”

Her careers have allowed her to implement growth in her classroom and take her students through newfound learning experiences.

“My favorite job was at the Houston Museum of Natural Science because I got to [visit] places that I didn’t know existed,” Baker said. “Now, I take my [Bellaire] classes to places [like dolphin ferries, Galveston beaches and waterways], so a lot of what I learned there I do in my aquatics class.”

Baker returns to the classroom with a change in perspective alongside these new instructional ideas. Now when she works with her teaching assistants, she treats them as “adults and co-workers,” rather than students.

“At the Houston Museum of Natural Science, we had Ecoteens who were our assistants, and it really taught me that they’re on the same level with me,” Baker said.

Baker’s time at Bellaire has also equipped her with skills that aid these other areas of her professional life.

“I’ve gathered more experience here [at Bellaire],” Baker said. “Teaching at Bellaire gives me confidence to step out a little bit [and take on different careers].”

Though her teaching experiences are similar in all of her careers, her student’s perspectives on learning contrast. At Bellaire, her class is just one of many for students to attend. 

At her specialized science jobs, Baker is able to teach students who choose to spend their time actively pursuing their education and interests in science.

“My favorite part of these jobs is teaching kids that are excited to learn what you’re teaching,” Baker said. 

Baker also finds disparities in the allocation of resources between jobs. 

In school, she is forced into a tight budget to plan and arrange her activities, whereas her job at Mad Scientist is especially proactive in making sure she is equipped for every lesson.

“Everything is prepared for you, so all your materials are usually in kits, and you just come in and do your thing,” Baker said. “It’s kind of like a performance, and then you leave. So you’re not responsible for ordering, going through finances or organizing the materials. It’s all done for you. All they want is your teaching expertise.”

Baker continues her science education through learned experience in her careers, acknowledging growth in everything she does.

“I already have [grown and learned] at Mad Scientists [and] I literally just started that job two weeks ago,” Baker said. “So, you can always learn something.”

When the final school bell rings, people go home. 

He goes home too.

And leaves for work 10 minutes later.

Starting in 2023, OnRamps and Pre-AP Chemistry teacher Miguel Gonzalez took on a temporary job as a server at the restaurant Texas Roadhouse. In the 2023-2024 school year, he started substitute teaching in Alvin ISD while still working part time at the restaurant. 

“You barely have enough time to eat something or just rest for a little bit, and then you’re back on it.” Gonzalez said. 

During the 2023-2024 school year, he would finish teaching at around 4 p.m., start his serving job around 5 p.m. and get home at 10 or 11 p.m. In his remaining time, he had 300 hours of coursework, and 30 observation hours to complete in order to receive his teaching certification through Teachers of Tomorrow to qualify as a full time teacher. 

“I had all these courses to do and I had zero time, so I kind of took a break from Roadhouse, [during the school year] and then I went back the summer [of 2024].” Gonzalez said. “[Getting my certification] was time consuming. It was not enjoyable for the most part, but I don’t regret doing it.“

After completing his course, he switched to being a full time teacher during the 2024-2025 school year. Gonzalez still works at Texas Roadhouse, but with the school year underway, he typically only works two to three days a week: Friday, Sunday and an additional weekday.

“It has been enjoyable, and I would have to say it’s because of the people that work there that make it a good experience.” Gonzalez said.

Four of his colleagues at Texas Roadhouse were teachers like him, providing Gonzalez with a teaching community outside of school.

Compared to serving, teaching is a different experience for him.. 

“As a teacher, I have all these students that I’m responsible for, and that responsibility is completely different from just giving somebody a tasty meal.” Gonzalez said.

Most importantly, working at Texas Roadhouse has taught Gonzalez to have fun. Gonzalez’s two jobs provide him with a newfound motivation. 

“I can bring the fun aspect of Roadhouse [to Bellaire], and I can also bring the high standards [of teaching] to Roadhouse,” Gonzalez said. ”Any job or hobby or anything that you do, you can always get better at it.”