Not only are these teachers continuing their education, they're also putting a little cash in their pockets.

"[Teaching is] one of those things I never thought I would love … but once I got into it I couldn't imagine myself doing anything else,” said Pauline Jeffers, who teaches biology at Carver High School in Winston-Salem.

Instead of enriching the lives of students this summer, she and several other Winston-Salem/Forsyth County teachers are expanding their own knowledge of biotechnology. It's all part of a two-week biotechnology workshop taught by Wake Forest University chemistry professor Dr. Rebecca Alexander.

While students are at home enjoying their summer vacation, some Winston Salem/Forsyth County teachers are busy in the classroom getting an education.

Not only are these teachers continuing their education, they're also putting a little cash in their pockets.

"This workshop is funded by the National Science Foundation and so part of the money they give me is to provide stipends of the teachers,” said Alexander. “So the workshop gives them some continuing education credit but it also provides stipends as an incentive for them to come in the middle of the summer and sit in the classroom."

Alexander says since biotechnology is an advancing form of science, the workshop gives teachers a chance to learn about things that weren't around when they were in school.

In turn, the workshop has the possibility to influence thousands of students.

"So even though it's only 13-14 teachers at a time, each of the them teaches tens to hundreds of students over the course of their career and so hopefully this is kind of a cascade effect of knowledge and experience," she added.

Teachers like Jeffers are looking forward to bringing their new found knowledge to the classroom in the fall.

"If you have those skills yourself, it's easier to teach it to someone else."

Teachers also earn credits for completing the workshop toward their continuing education which is required for all teachers.