Job Discussion Forums

[kylemcgee]

Hello -

I am currently a teacher at HCT Muscat and I feel that recently the school and many of the staff here have been maligned by a few people on this new website (www.hctmuscatsucks).

The guilty parties have not published their names on the site. The authors have chosen to hide in the world of anonymous internet posters that are not brave enough to publish their names.

I would not mind such a site if it contained truths or constructive criticism. However, this website is just plain mean and slanderous. It features personal attacks on staff's qualifications, work ethics, intelligence, and even personal appearance. The writers are an obvious collection of rude and angry people who need to see psychologists to examine their need to defame others publicly for no apparent reason. In short, they need lives.

Most schools I have worked at over the last 10 years have similar problems as we do. I have yet to work in a Utopian environment. In fact, when you find such a school please let me know and I'll gladly apply.

While we have our share of problems, we have great successes as well. We have many dedicated teachers who go beyond the regular call of duty to improve our students in education and life skills. Not all of the teachers have higher degrees, but I dare say (as a MA holder), this type of degree would not particularly provide any benefit for our working context. We need experienced teachers who can handle challenging classroom situations. We don't particularly need MA degrees in literature or applied linguistics. They aren't nearly as useful as real classroom experience.

Our management team is generally great. We have a limited number of people doing an incredible amount of work. Our systems are generally well thought out and efficient. There is a willingness to listen and make changes when possible, but also an understanding of the limitations of our environment.

So, in short, I would like to defend HCT Muscat. It's not perfect, but we do a lot of good work. I would have posted this on the site in question, but they offer no public forum from which others can share their views.

Lighten up people. If you have a problem with a person or organization, then face them directly and state your case. Don't hide behind an anonymous website like a child.

Kyle McGee
Proud teacher at HCT Muscat