Job Discussion Forums

[bluetortilla]

I just started a thread here:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=96523&highlight=

and after receiving a lot of really helpful advice (thanks everyone) I've decided that although I want to patch things up as best as I can and finish the year, I'm not so sure anymore if I'd take a renewal if it was offered to me. That could change of course. As I've mentioned in the thread, my one-year contract ends in February 2013, not July 2012.

In case I do change jobs, I'd like to start searching as soon as possible. The thing is, there are reasons why I want to stay in the city I'm in (Guangzhou), which will obviously make the search more difficult. Although I'd like to move up, I am faced with the a very possible prospect of a lateral move. To tell the truth, teaching elementary school would be preferable to that and fit in well with my goals now and my experience, but I see very little elementary school teaching on the boards.

I have no idea of whether my school is following my posts here or not, but if they are (I highly doubt it) I'd like to say that I'm here to do my best and I will of course honor my contract. Having said that, my question is, assuming my school isn't tracking me, how do I start job inquiries? Is it safe to post my resume here on the forums? Can I go about this process openly? When should I bring up the topic of renewal with my school? Do people get forced out of their jobs without severance pay (though they've done nothing to breach contract) over things like job prospecting while under said contract?

For anyone who's been through this situation, your advice is golden.

[teachingld2004]

Blue,
Why don't you just give the job a chance? Seems like you just started. Feb 2013 is far away.
If there are things you do not like about the job, change. Do not beat yourself up.
Question: Why would you bring up renewal at this early date? I am sure (almost) that things are going to change in the next few months.
If you want to put your resume on, I do not thnk now is the time. Schools do not look to hire this early in advance. And if you want to put your resume on, just make a new ID.
Calm down. Relax with a bottle of cheap wine and a good book. Life is what you make of it.
(i have had my share of crap jobs. Life is too short to dwell on thnks that can not be changed at the moment. Do not make yourself sick.)

[teachingld2004]

OOPS, just read your second page.
As you know, when some one is the first teacher, people expect the moon and the stars. I have taught beginners who thought that they knew more then me.
They said my lessons were too easy, and then they said my lessons were too hard. they said I gave too much HW, and then I did not give enough. Parents said it was my fault the kids did not improve. (duh, if the student (any age) never comes to class, or when they come they text, and they do not even bring a pencil, how can they learn? They can't.
I see (now, sorry not before) that you have taught for many years. You then know that "teaching" means one thing to some one and one to another. In some schools all a teacher has to do is smile and play bingo (any age) and in another school all they want is "hard" work.
Give the job a longer change. OR, look around. I am sure that there are many schools where you can get a new job in a few days.
Again, good luck.

[johntpartee]

If the job has you in such a quandary, the best thing to do is split. Honor your commitment, of course, but it's not worth a stroke if you have so much turmoil. They aren't "watching" you, relax. Lots of people have stories about the walls having ears, but......

[bluetortilla]

[xiguagua]

I've said it before, and I still think it's much more important to have a satisfactory job than to live in a satisfactory city. Doesn't matter if you're in heaven......if your students are making your life miserable......you will not be enjoying your time there. Your time in the classroom has a huge effect on you outside the classroom and for me, when I was happy in class, I was happy out of class even in the most POS cities. But when I had bad students, it didn't matter that my apartment was simply amazing, and living in a super small cheap city making lots of money with great FAO's.......I hated my life there and I left.

Parents can make your job much more difficult...they ALWAYS have something stupid to complain about. Simply put, those yokels wouldn't be able to teach their way out of a paper bag, so listening to their "advice" is irrational when you're an educated, experienced teacher. Listening to and accepting feedback and adopting some changes to improve is one thing......but taking to heart and trying to revamp what you're doing based on some comments from someone that can't speak 1 word of English and is complaining about your class because their kids are lazy sacks is something you shouldn't do.

Just keep on keepin on. If it gets unbearable then I wouldn't fault you for leaving. A job that makes you miserable isn't a job worth having imo.

[7969]

[bluetortilla]

[therock]

[7969]

That's rich, coming from a guy who constantly refers to various places in China as "holes."

My hometown is infinitely more boring than where I'm at, which is part of the reason I'm here. It's not that bad actually but after six years life here has lost its edge. Once the summer's over and I've had a decent vacation it'll be fine again.

[therock]

[bluetortilla]

[therock]

[bluetortilla]

[therock]