Korean Job Discussion Forums

[andrewchon]

[Soldier]

Why is the school itself doing face to face interviews. I thought the provincial education dept did them, either from someone's home country, or in Korea at the relevent prov office.

Anyway, at least you get to finish up, not get the boot before hand. Just to confirm, is this your first year teaching at the current school?

At least you get severance, and not fired before the end of the contract like in the 11th month, just to be mean, for example.

[andrewchon]

My school gets funding from the townhall, not GEPIK. So they do their own recruiting. This is year 2 for me at this school. Because I was hired 'already in Korea' they didn't have to give me a return plane ticket home. However, for some reason, ,money was set aside for that. But since I detest flying with every fibre of my being, I graciously declined the offer. Problem is they cannot 'not' give me the plane ticket, without generating another mountain of paperwork. Simplest thing to do is for me to take the ticket and blast off to somewhere, but no, it's not happenning.

[Soldier]

Sounds like you either have to break the law....or in their eyes suck...exceptionally suck at teaching for superiors and administration to do the mountains of paperwork to fire and replace you.

At least in their eyes....the superiors can either think you are good or bad...and it's not always a true reflection of your teaching.

Teaching evaluations of any kind are subjective anyway. Don't trust them. Only trust the good ones....: -)

Actual answers correct notwithstanding...these only tell you what kind of relationship you had with the superior or teacher. Yes...there is ability....but it is not always reflected in a true manner.

Cheers.

[Lucas]

[schwa]

Thanks Lucas. I make no attempt to disguise myself on these forums. Hundreds of current & former teachers could probably identify me from specifics in my comments & I always post with that in mind.

In terms of this thread I may have overspoken. When I said teachers were "almost always" dismissed for their own shortcomings, I might better have written "more often than not."

I've sat in on supervisors' decisions. I have stood up for some good teachers who were paired with antagonistic co-teachers & helped win them transfers & a second chance. This is not a common occurrence in Gangwondo, but it happens. I try to help out & advocate for teachers who are trying their best.

With current annual reductions in EPIK numbers, school evaluations take on increased importance with regard to renewal. Good attitude is paramount. Good effort tends to be recognized. Anything perceivable as insubordination can sink a teacher.

Almost every teacher overestimates their own effectiveness. I'm guilty of that too. Value is also contingent on being a pleasant presence in the workplace. Theres no concrete formula for that, it comes down to your people skills.

Valued teachers whose positions are eliminated can generally slide into jobs left open by attrition.

The system isnt perfect, but its understandable.

[22tea77]

[Scorpion]