Job Discussion Forums

Freddie Miles · Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Posts: 91

I wanted to start this thread for all those people who had endured and survived the all the tyrants who manage English schools,

In my first job in a private course in Turkey, my boss wanted all of us to wear white doctor-like overcoats, even in the teachers' room and all day.
"But why?" I pleaded at him like a girl. To wit, he answered, "Because I want you to." He was also a paperwork fanatic. Mounds of paperwork had to be filled out, shuffled about and finally stamped each week. I am sure he never bothered to read any of it.

He was that type of boss who would listen to any ideas put forward by his teachers ( privately in his office, of course), promptly object to them, and proceed in the very next meeting to reveal his new idea. Sadly, whatever changes he made to the original idea was exactly the place where the whole thing would go pear-sheaped. A whiteboard with so much scribbling and arrows that the whole thing looked like plans for the Normandy invasion.

The topper was when he unveiled his school motto. There was this huge banner in the entrance hall that read: WE ARE ALL ON YOUR WAY!
Did I have the common sense to smile politely and marvel at it? No, of course not. After a few seconds of bewilderment, I said, "I think there is something wrong with it. I can't put my finger on it but.. it just isnt right."
His answer was classic. "It makes sense in Turkish." So, there it hung for the rest of the term.

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

It really does make sense in Turkish.

My best is a certain school where the teachers start each month with 30 credits. They lose 10 credits anytime they make a mistake, break the school rules, are late to class, display any unwarranted behaviour to management, administration, students or colleagues. If they get lose 20 credits in 1 month they lose 1 days holidays, lose 20 credits for 3 months they lose 1 weeks holidays and there are various other penalities like written and verbal warnings. Best of all they don't get told about the mistakes until the league table of teachers in unveiled in public every month. There is no right of appeal and it is all taken very seriously.

Golightly · Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 2:55 pm Post subject: Re: Tyrants rants

Freddie Miles · Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Posts: 91

GEE, thrifty. did they have "Work will Make you Free" written over the entrance?? What was the turnover rate for teachers at that school?

When I told my boss that I would not be returning the next year, he just glared at me like Mona Lisa. Same daffy smile. The next thing I knew, he hustled me down to the teachers' room and said, "Is there anything here that is yours?" Wisely, I had removed everything already. I pointed at a few books and he said firmly, "Okay, then go and don't ever come back to this school. You cannot speak to the other teachers or students." Erm.. okay, says I.
"And when are you planning to leave the teachers' flat?"
"Ummm Wednesday."
"I want you out by Monday."
This was after two years, mind you. I think I just laughed actually.

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

I am still working at this school. Unfortunately or fortunately the money makes up for it.

I have lost 10 credits already this month.

yaramaz · Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 8:11 am Post subject:

Arent you in the Gulf, though?

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

Failed to reseat 2 students who were speaking L1.

Baba Alex · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 2411

Freddie Miles · Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Posts: 91

Another common tactic of tyrants is to use teachers as spies in the teachers' room or even outside the school altogether. In one school, this eavesdropping and reporting got so bad that all of the other teachers simply refused to speak to or around her. I mean, the teacher was so obvious about it-- often we would make up totally unbelievable things for her to report to the boss. The worst part was that this particular teacher was not such a bad person, apparently the boss had promised her some kind of grandious position in the "near future".

One time I went for a job interview at a private course and the manager proudly told how he had one teacher followed and her apartment watched in order to prove that she was teaching private lessons in her free time. This was something the man seemed quite proud of. Needless to say, I did not choose to work there.

lovelace · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 190

These stories make the schools I've worked at pale in comparison! I thought no photocopy/toilet paper, no working tape recorders or computers and no hot water/carpets in 'fully-furnished and equipped accommodation' was pretty bad. Now I feel lucky!

Can we talk about the good schools too? I'd love to hear some positive stuff to cheer me up. Or shall I start a new thread? (Bit new to all this).

Freddie Miles · Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Posts: 91

Of course, lovey, please do start a new thread about Good schools. I would be interested to see how much of a response you get.

I suppose talking about the crazy weird and negative aspects of teaching is easier. Personally, I dont think in terms of negative and positive. Before I went abroad, while still in the dreaming stage, I read this in a book somewhere:

No matter how many crappy, frightening or horrible events you face, just remember that those things always make the most interesting stories later.

This has saved me from getting too depressed about my misadventures on many many occasions.

lovelace · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 190

You just called me lovey!! Laughing

Golightly · Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:53 pm Post subject:

And here's an old face for you old Antik folks out there...

I know where you live, and I have your documents...

Freddie Miles · Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Posts: 91

who is that? Looks like an extra from a Schindler's List.

and.
of course I called you lovey. I would have gagged if I had to use "lovelace" (nyuk nyuk)

lovelace · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 190

Look up Earl Lovelace. Nothing to do with Linda.