Job Discussion Forums

[pfraser]

Hello everyone,

In my many years of ESL teaching, I heard my share of exciting runner stories. I am currently working on a compilation of these stories, and would love if some of you would share yours (or ones you've heard about) with me.

I should be clear that the purpose of my project is not to glorify the midnight run. It is rather to portray - in a light way - a reality of the ESL world. Let's face it, running is quitting in a very unprofessional way. But you seasoned teachers know that sometimes, its the only option a vulnerable teacher has.

So, again, any stories, comments, thoughts, or suggestions about my project are welcomed. Please send to [email protected]. If I like your story, I will refrain from using real names of people or schools.

Thanks in advance!

[pfraser]

Really...nobody???

[Justin Trullinger]

Maybe your theory, that it's sometimes the best option for a vulnerable teacher, is less true than you think?

What can I say- I've been teaching 12 years, give or take. 4 countries. Never done a runner. Never considered it.

In all that time, I only know one person who did. I can't put you in touch with him. He was a totally irresponsible twit who did his school out of considerable $$ for no reason but laziness.

There may be people who have done a justified runner. BUt if you're not finding any, maybe not as many as you think.

Best,
Justin

[denise]

Sorry, but I'm not surprised that you haven't had any stories posted. Every now and then, people post requests, like yours, for stories, or ask for volunteers to help them with their research. They get very few responses. I think some possible reasons are:

1) It's not clear what will happen with the stories you get. Will you take them and publish them? Sell them? Well, maybe people don't want to be a part of that--they do the work of writing the story, and then you make money off it.

2) You're essentially asking people on an anonymous forum to do you a personal favor that has nothing to do with the forum. Personal favors are most likely to be fulfilled if you ask people with whom you have a personal relationship. So invite a couple of friends down to the pub, pay for their drinks, and interview them. And then YOU write the stories.

3) 1 and 2 combined--you're asking other people to do your work for you.
You say you've already heard some good runner stories. Why not just convert those into the stories that you want?

d

[natsume]

I think Justin may be right. I have only known one runner in my 3 and a half years, and he, too, was a totally irresposnsible twit. I think even in really bad work situations, people agonize over how to get out without actually doing a runner. There is plenty of evidence of that documented here over the years. It is usually due in no small part to the complicating factors of working in a foreign country.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Bottom-line...runners are losers. Sure, I've fantasized about it from time to time, but I've landed a killer job where I know about a dozen people from past lives.

If I had ever done a runner, I'd be out on my ear in no time quick! The EFL world is a very, very small one...

NCTBA

[hollysuel]

I'm also thinking that most of the people who have been runners are no longer teaching. I've known a few in my 16 years and they ran from only one specific country and to my knowledge only one is still in TESL/TEFL.

[spiral78]

I agree with hollysuel. Those who've done runners are probably not long-term teachers in most cases. Most of us regulars here are long-termers. Also, we're also not mostly the kinds of people who take jobs where they will be working illegally. I think many/most of the 'runners' are likely people who tried to work under the table and hence had no protection from unscrupulous employers.

[naturegirl321]

I lived with two in China, within 3 months. the first guy left after a week, the girl lasted a month.

Bottom line though, if people DO pull runners, I don't think they want them published, or risk getting their name out there that they HAD done runners.

[tttompatz]

Go register over on the Korean forum.

There are lots of people there who pulled a runner (and returned to work at a new employer).

Most other folks usually either let their contracts expire or give notice and leave.

.

[Hod]

I never did a runner, but I never returned after one unpaid summer break to a freelance contract in Europe. The school owner sent the usual e-mails saying how disappointed he was, etc, but with unpaid leave and freelance being the norm in Europe, he got what he paid for.

People doing runners include those working as contractors in IT, engineering and even airline pilots. Maybe they do this for financial reasons or they�re unhappy in their work or personal circumstances. But if a teacher does it, they�re labelled as losers on here?

There�s this argument that students will be affected by their teacher running off. When I was at school, my Maths teacher died. It was no doubt tragic for his family and probably no cakewalk for him, but my Maths didn�t suffer as a result. Some teachers have this self-fulfilling sense of importance.

[basiltherat]

i concur with previous posters but just to add my 2 cents:

why would anyone do a runner ??

just say you want to leave. they can't put hancuffs on you or chain you to your classroom door .... well,not in most countries.

just fulfill whatever obligations you signed up to and you're off. easy.

if there are people out there who have done a runner, ....whatever happened to growing up ?

anyways, runners only affect your colleagues. your employer wouldn't care a monkeys unless you walked off with their dosh.

best
basil

[naturegirl321]

Maybe they're afraid to confront their boss or have asked in the past and the boss simply say no or refused to give them the paperwork needed to transfer jobs.

[basiltherat]

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]