Job Discussion Forums

[browny]

I am teaching a class at a cram school made up of 13 3rd graders. Every week I give them some new vocabulary words, 2 sentence structures, and I read them a short story. One of the parents called the school and asked if it would be okay if I recorded the short story for her son (they would provide the tape and I would read the story into a recorder). The school said "yes" on my behalf (but that is a separate issue). Anyway, it soon progressed into my recording the story, along with the vocabulary words and some grammar sentences. Another parent found out about this and wanted in on the action as well. Now I have 2 sets of parents that want the tape made on a weekly basis. I am sure more will follow.

I am afraid this is going to snowball on me. Should I inquire about additional pay for this? Or will I possibly suffer a backlash for even thinking such a thing? It is nowhere on my contract that says I am obligated to perform this extra type of teaching.

Any thoughts??

Thanks in advance!!

[Taylor]

Dear Browny,

This one is easy! Have the kids can bring their recorders into the classroom! At some point in the lesson, just record exactly whatever the parents want. This will be a great way to get the kids to be quiet, by the way!

Third graders still may not be very familiar with tapes and recorders, so you may need to help them at first. (It is their responsibility to have tapes & batteries ready for use. If they miss it, then make a rule that you will not re-record.)

Have fun! Let us know if you have any further issues!!!

Sincerely,

Taylor
Kaohsiung
8+ years

[clark.w.griswald]

I think that Taylor's advice is pretty good. Either do that or make one copy that the school or the parents can copy from.

I wouldn't kick up too much of a stink about this, but nor do I believe that you should have to spend your time unpaid doing this. Try to think of a solution yourself and approach the school with that solution rather than approaching them with the problem.