Job Discussion Forums

[gnattie]

I recently applied for a job offer at a Christian school as advertised on this website. I responded to her email with my resume and later recieved this hateful message,
"You can't be a Catholic or even a real Christian if you majored in Psychology. I suggest you read the book, "Psychoheresy" by the Bobgans. Please go back to the U.S. and undo all the damage creepy psychologists, psychiatrists have done. That should be your work now."
I think it is sad that people use this fantastic site to spread hateful words.
So jobseekers beware of excellent writer (aka Julie)
and lets try to be a little kinder to one another. There is enough hate in the world. As teachers we should be modeling tolerance not ignorance.
gNattie

[ls650]

Ah well... it sounds like you're better off not working there...

[Guy Courchesne]

That's...really weird. I hope excellent write aka Julie will come on to respond. Why would a school go through the hassle of paying for a help wanted ad just to respond with that? They should post in a religious site instead or work through a Catholic or Christian network.

[Finnegan]

How I do wish that I could write to "Julie" and let her know that I could put her in touch with some likewise ignorant dinks right here. In fact, she wouldn't even have to go that far. But alas, she is no doubt spreading her hate elsewhere. All the best Julie, wherever you are--and good luck in finding some form of love in your own life!!

[Guy Courchesne]

Finnegan...you've had some run-ins on this site with the Peanut Gallery have you?

[Finnegan]

Hey there Guy,

I just thought I would follow you over to Mexico!! And I bumped into something interesting on the way. Still unsure and increasingly trepid over this ESL thing--moreso the more I read in this ESL forum. It seems that we live in a wacked out culture if a teaching experience overseas (whatever form it takes) cannot or will not be recognized as valuable to the teacher. Likewise the notion that educators//teachers are not treated like gold, is beyond me. In BC, it is a mess for both education and health care, with cutbacks all over. The present provincial gov't is Liberal (whatever), and seems to be determined to privatize everything. As a relative newcomer to the province, it seems odd to have such polarized choice in government: right vs left.

Anyhooo, ya the world is full of people like Julie...Where is John Lennon when you need him?

[Guy Courchesne]

Ay indeed, where is John Lennon when we need him?

I read your posts in other places. The Newbie and General Discussion threads are battle grounds to be sure. Stick around and read more...you'll find some good people all over the world. Try the Gen Latin America forum too.

I had moved out to BC from Ontario when they had a corrupt NDP government...BC politics I found strange and different from Ontario. It ain't called Lotusland for nuthin. Still, I plan to retire in Salmon Arm.

What you've seen mostly on other threads is a window into the world of McEFL teaching. China in particular, needs so many teachers that just about anybody with a pulse and an English accent gets hired. Recruiters over there often play up the offerings, others outright lie. Dave's is the place to vent about it. Check out the scams warning at the top of any forum.

Have you thought about Europe as a place to go? Might be better opportunities over there for someone with your skills.

[Finnegan]

Hey there Guy,

What are you referring to when you say "McEFL"? I can guess that the rest of your sentence explains it, but I think I am missing your inference.

How I love BC for its natural beauty---but the rednecks, ahhhhh. It feels as though education might as well step next door a few provinces--who needs that book-lernin' anyhoo? When we got us an axe and big trees? Yeehaw! And so it seems the brief history, socially at least, has come to be. Primary resource-based economy, no diversification (therefore no need for 'book-lernin'), ....when times are a good, keep em in power, when times are tough, vote in the other buggers and get tangled up in the unions. =Polarized politics and the pendulum keeps swinging back and forth. What a waste of time and money.

Salmon Arm!!!!! Never been. So are you hoping to teach back here in Canada? BC? If we lived for 200 years I wouldn't worry much, but eating cat food out of a can with my fingers is not really that inspiring a thought, especially my 'Golden' years ('Pyrite', maybe--look it up!).

As for Europe, I do have some trace into Ireland of a grandfather, but the paperwork to get duel citizenship is daunting. That would be the only way to go since it is now EU.

I will keep watch of your comments. Hey, and practice your French---the Senators will need your support (one day).

[Guy Courchesne]

McEFL...the McDonald's of language schools, fast food, or rather, fast fix learning...lots of calories, no nutritional value. It's the quikest way to refer to an entire industry.

The redneck vs hippie constant in the Okanagan Valley is source of great fodder and fun. Salmon Arm is north of there, near the junction of highway 1 and 97. I think it's the mighty Fraser River that runs by it? I told my friends about the place and they just said' "What? Salmon have arms?"

I plan on retiring there...not teaching. I'm married to a Mexican woman, and here we live. It stuns some people, but I prefer Mexico over Canada at this stage in my life (aged 31).

On Europe, I was thinking non-EU countries, though these days it's hard to keep count of who's in and who's out.

[Finnegan]

You better have your Mexican Seniora visit Salmon Arm before moving!! Are you sure that after all your travelling that this might not be too, ahhh, wonderbread white? I used to be 31. Hey, I was out here in BC when I was 31. From T.O. originally, but have lived many places. Really liked Halifax, but they drink like fish--but such friendly folks. Leaving any ESL jokes alone here.

I was only in Mexico once--a few years ago. On the Yucatan, near Cozumel. Never been so hot that week, holy moly. I thought the iguanas were going to bake.

It must be nice to think of this retirement thing. I haven't even got started yet. So much to do though.

I would like to keep in touch. I am interested in what your thoughts are regarding coming back. How long will you stay in Mexico? How long have you been there? What will you do next, etc.?

[Guy Courchesne]

Rather than chit chat here on an open thread, email me instead. Email you can find through my profile.

I have been in Mexico a little over 4 years now...

[Finnegan]

Hello Guy,

It is sent via email.