Job Discussion Forums

[cloud_pleaser]

I have been teaching in one of the most rewarding jobs I've ever done: at a university in Inner Mongolia. The students are wonderful, and I have ended nearly every day feeling incredibly lucky to be teaching at a job I really like.
Today that all changed. Recently my boss spoke to me regarding renewing my contract. I said, absolutely yes. My boss told me "the sooner the better" and I assumed it was because she was going on a business trip to Australia soon and wanted loose ends wrapped up.
I go into her office today, ready to sign for another year. Then she informs me that she is now only offering my a position with the Children's program. I've had about two years experience teaching children, and after that I decided that college age and up was what I was best at. The excuse was given is that I took too long to sign my contract, so without any forewarning, I've had my job taken away from me and am being offered something I have no desire to do. My job has been given to someone else with absolutely no forewarning.

I am absolutely devastated. I put everything into this job. I spent hours planning my classes because it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Has anything like this ever happened to you guys?

[dean_a_jones]

It has not happened to me but I can imagine how frustrating that must be. If you have not done so, I would stress to your boss that university level students are your teaching interest now, perhaps they will take that into account rather than lose you. I would also start looking for other, similar jobs. You have some experience at this level, some materials etc. If you start looking now you should hopefully be able to find something that will be equally rewarding somewhere else in IM or elsewhere in China.

It is gutting to lose a job when you felt it was going well and things clicked, but there are lots of great opportunities and students looking for a teacher who loves their job and brings a passion for teaching to the classroom. Best of luck with whatever you decide to do.

[rogerwilco]

OP, sent you a PM.

[cloud_pleaser]

[hilena_westb]

Overly-dramatic to say that your job was taken away from you, isn't it? You signed a contract, which, you were essentially completing. You should have always been prepared for other opportunities. You should never assume you were to be re-hired - thus you completed your contract - as agreed upon. Your job was not taken from you.

It's important for people to talk openly and honestly, without over-dramatizing situations - to be fair to all involved.

Just how far in advance were you attempting to re-sign? If you intended to stay on you should really 'mention' it to people 6 months in advance to be sure you have adequate time to find a new job should they refuse.

[roadwalker]

It's been my experience with universities that the department that does the hiring of FTs generally want a decision about this time of year for the next academic year, not much earlier.

Sorry to hear it, OP. I suggest that you calmly, and in a friendly tone, thank your boss for the opportunity that you were given to teach uni students but that you really are not interested in teaching children. And further ask the boss for a letter of recommendation that you are willing to write (seems to be the Chinese way). That should signal your seriousness, whether or not the boss has a change of heart. You will need a release letter to change schools, at any rate.

[xiguagua]

I had somewhat a similar experience with getting screwed over for a returning job. After my first year in China, I was teaching at a high school/middle school doing senior 1/2 and junior 3. I was pretty happy there so I was gonna sign on for another year, this time directly with the school and not with a recruiter I signed on with the first time. The school initially said it was a good idea and I was more than welcome to stay there as long as I liked.

Renegotiations came and I was informed that if I wanted to stay another year, I would have to teach juniors 1-3 and seniors 1-2.....doing the job of two teachers. Not only that.....my salary was being REDUCED by 500 a month. So my reward for going directly to the school and saving them money was double the classes and less salary. I figure if they didn't want me to stay, they could have told me. I had a good reputation with the students, even the bad kids I was outside every day talking to them, playing basketball with them. Eh whatever. So I left without remorse.

The headmasters generally could care less if you stay or go, you're just another face. At my next school I signed the contract for X amount, then when I arrived I was called to a meeting with the headmaster, where he straight up asked if it was ok for him to pay me 500 less than what we signed the contract for.........uh.........no it's not ok. He was just like.....oh..... How do you even have the nerve to ask that question?

Take pride in the fact that it seems you did improve a lot this year and you can take that skill increase and find another school to benefit, one that will hopefully appreciate you more. This isn't always a bad thing for you personally, but it's always sad to leave behind good students who possibly will have a worse teacher next year.

[Non Sequitur]

If there are similar schools close by that can give you the age of students you want make a move.
Do not tell the current school until you have the new job.
Let your new employer take the weight if your current employer gets cute over release letter or airfare refund.
I assume you are teaching on the proper visa as if not you could be toast.

[cloud_pleaser]

[Simon in Suzhou]

[JamesD]

Another possibility. Maybe you're paying for being popular/good? They might figure that if you're doing so well with your current students you can inject some enthusiasm into the less motivated. More of a chance for them to put the best teacher with the students that need the most help.

Whatever, I'd agree with moving on if they move you down. No sense in working where you're not happy.

[cloud_pleaser]

Well guys, after a tense mexican standoff-like scenario, they have agreed to restore the original contract. I can breathe easy.

[Non Sequitur]

Well done.
But human (icl Chinese) nature being what it is they'll revenge themselves for loss of face.
Your time there is coming to a close so be on the look out for another gig after the current contract.

[cloud_pleaser]

That was my concern. Who knows if the sword of damocles will drop?
They don't have a track record of being vindictive though. One of the reasons it was such a shock is that they have been incredibly reasonable with pretty much everyone.

[choudoufu]