Job Discussion Forums

[JimDunlop2]

For those who have read my previous posting (rant about my job and working conditions) this might be a valid question.....

Many people (I was one of them a few months ago) post contracts that have been sent to them by prospective employers and ask the people here at Dave's to comment on whether or not they seem to be OK or if they sound bad......

The comments I see are always honest (which is exactly what people are looking for) albeit somewhat on the darker side of harsh.

What I'm curious about is this....... Would you say that you are happy/satisfied with the contract you are currently on? Do you like the school where you work? (I'm curious, because it makes me wonder, looking at things from my perspective whether there really IS something better out there, or are all schools different shades of mediocre?)

This is meant especially for those people who respond to posts asking opinions about school contracts (but others are certainly welcome to respond).....

[Glenski]

I am in my second year at the school where I work full-time. Last year I was part-time there, so I am experiencing a lot of changes. I enjoy making more money with the FT status, but since my wife quit her job, our total income is about the same. We are expecting a baby, so we will need a bigger budget soon (and bigger place to live). There are certain aspects of my FT status that I don't like, and I miss all of the private lessons I had to give up.

So, I guess if something better would come along, I'd take it. What that is, I don't know.

[Sherri]

In my last job I was hired to start a school up from scratch, so I was in a unique position, both to write my own contract and the other teachers'. I had been in a similar position before getting hired and I would like to think the contracts were fair for both sides. No contract is perfect so I believe the most important thing is for the management and the teaching staff to be able to discuss a contractual issue openly to resolve any problems that may come up. Before any new teacher signs the contract, we sit down with the teacher and explain the whole contract clause by clause to make sure there are no misunderstandings and answer questions. I think this is very important too.

Glenski, congratulations on your coming baby. I am expecting in July (#2!). I hope your wife is having a smooth pregnancy. You're lucky you are in Sapporo where the summer won't be too hot. All the best.

[bshabu]

I just started at a 2 kindergartens in Gifu. I love it. The pay is not as high as some Eikaiwas, but it comes with an apartment. So, it evens out. My Co-workers are nice and they help me out.

Some other perk to the job. Since I don't have a car now (but I plan to buy one soon), I can you the schools car. I haven't yet.

Easy hours. Typical 9-5, but it is not written in stone. About a month on a Saturday, I am asked to go on a school trip somewhere nearby and help. Not really work, but it is a Satudrday

Easy work. Maybe it's because I love kids, but it is easy to make lessons plans and teach the children. They can be too much at times, but that is the definition of kids. 270 of them only one of me. And I am popular there.

This leads me to being the center of attention. It is nice to have kids screaming your name when you come to school in the morning or work in the door, but when you need to get lesson plans done. Luckly I found a nice "kid-free zone" where I can go to get the lesson plans done.

It is in the country, about 56,000 people. My last job was in Osaka, so this is quite an adjustment. However, my home town is the USA was only 500 people. Still am used to city life now.

It is a fun job and I enjoy it a lot. I not sure if it's a career but good far as conditions go.

working in a kinderkarten can get crazy often, but it is a fun place to work.