© 2024 WYSO
Our Community. Our Nation. Our World.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Feed The Adjuncts Event Highlights Part-time Teaching Challenges

There are estimates that say one out of 3 adjunct teachers across the country are living in poverty, and the summer months, when most students are on break, are especially tough.

To counter that seasonal economic downturn, 14 Dayton artists are hosting a one-night-only, pop-up art event called Feed the Adjuncts. 

In the following interview from WYSO Weekend, artist and adjunct teacher, Colleen Kelsey, paints a picture of the local landscape for part-time teachers which includes a look at some of the financial challenges adjuncts face. 

Jean Koeller teaches part-time at Stivers School for the Arts and supplements her income by selling her paintings – landscapes with an environmental focus. Koeller agrees that the summer months for part-time teachers are tough, but also says things can be just as difficult through the school year.

Credit Jerry Kenney
Jean Koeller (left), Colleen Kelsey, and Wesley Berg (right), are just three of the artists whose works will be featured in the Feed the Adjuncts pop-up event on May 20th.

Finally, you'll hear from local adjunct professor Wesley Berg who came up with the idea of the Feed the Adjuncts event. He, along with Jean Koeller, gives Colleen Kelsey the credit for making it a reality. Berg will soon be leaving Dayton for more abundant teaching opportunities in Texas. 

These are just three of the 14 artists who will feature their work at Feed the Adjuncts – a one night only pop-up art event at the Front Street Warehouse on Friday May 20th from 6 to 10 pm. You can find more information on Facebook.

Jerry began volunteering at WYSO in 1991 and hosting Sunday night's Alpha Rhythms in 1992. He joined the YSO staff in 2007 as Morning Edition Host, then All Things Considered. He's hosted Sunday morning's WYSO Weekend since 2008 and produced several radio dramas and specials . In 2009 Jerry received the Best Feature award from Public Radio News Directors Inc., and was named the 2023 winner of the Ohio Associated Press Media Editors Best Anchor/News Host award. His current, heart-felt projects include the occasional series Bulletin Board Diaries, which focuses on local, old-school advertisers and small business owners. He has also returned as the co-host Alpha Rhythms.