Korean Job Discussion Forums

sojourner1 · Last edited by sojourner1 on Thu May 03, 2007 2:26 am; edited 2 times in total

While I had nothing to do with it, nor am I responsible. I am concerned about the fact a co-FT broke a 6 year old's arm 3 days ago by pushing him down real hard in the one particular class that acts terrible all the time. (someone stole his computer the night before so he must had been pushed over the edge mentally) I not only feel bad for the boy, but that we might all pay dearly for this as I am worried word might get around to the parents (injured student told everyone) who may end up pulling thier kids out of the hagwon. This elite kindergarten program hagwon is a very solid one in terms of reputation and finances due to it having its' own nice school property for about 13 years. It is the most expensive hagwon in the city of a half million I am in. Director told us that the bad behaved class, including the boy with a broken arm, complain to thier parents that our school is boring and that these are special gifted kids. I knew it all along that they were bored and act bad for that reason as there is little more than the books and ourselves. None of us has talked to the offending FT and we are all acting like nothing happened. We dare not say anything as to not rock the boat.

The co-FT is still teaching and acting as if nothing happened, but I have a hunch bad things are to come, given time. I think he is only still teaching, becuase the school needs him as we are all maxed out on class load which would be impossible to cover classes if we lost a teacher. And he may not be the only to pay for his stupidity which is unjustly putting other teachers in the anxieties of financial risk over the fact students may quit. The bad behaved class is acting super rebel bad since one got his arm broke(broken one has not returned). It's sad and I feel I am working at a loss here. (no pay or benefits problems so far, but if school revenues decline, you can bet, I the FT, loses first)

I want your opinions, facts, and such on situations where a foreign teacher inflicts serious injury on a student as this is Korea for which I am not sure whats going to happen. I am experiencing anxiety that our students might be pulled out of the school by thier parents and I get screwed financially over decreasing hagwon revenues. Is this a reasonable worry or am I over reacting? Let me know what you think...Thanks in advance.

babtangee · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 2:14 am Post subject:

I think your school will have to pay off the parents. If they do it promptly everything might be hushed. Word will still get around though. Never heard of a FT seriously assaulting a student like that (even accidently). Pretty bad.

Your school doesn't sound too great for a kindergarten if all they have is books and teachers. Lame. I hate half-arsed kindergartens: they make a difficult job impossible.

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

sojourner1 · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 2:56 am Post subject:

CYA plans? What does the CYA acronym mean? Must have something to do with leaving earlier than anticipated.

I have not talked with my director, but that is a good idea, but of course, I know she is the type that beats around the bush and does not hesitate to be less than truthful in my experience with her. I do not have much conversation with her as she is not a talkative type. She is more reserved. We all instead, mostly interact with the co-director and foreign head teacher. I will start there first on better grasping what is to happen though I seriously doubt any definitive answers or the whole truth is for me to know as I am not told anything about anything more than what my schedule is and what is asked of me. I feel it's all just a big cloud.

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

I didn't say anything about leaving. Rolling Eyes

CYA = Cover Your A--

More information is required before you can make any plans.

The Hammer · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 3:48 am Post subject:

My opinion... break a child's arm

go to jail. That's the law. (or it should be the law)

If you had a child in kindergarten and the teacher broke their arm, what would you do?

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

Parents are probably going to freak out.

Pak Yu Man · Joined: 02 Jun 2005 Location: The Ida galaxy

I agree with the HAmmer.

goodgood · Joined: 22 Nov 2006 Location: seoul

If I did that I wouldn't be able to live with myself.

If my child went to that school I would pull him or her out immediately.

And if somebody did that to my kid (if I had one), that guy would be a dead man.

babtangee · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 4:10 am Post subject:

Milwaukiedave · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong

I would think the owner would have grounds to fire the foreign teacher if he did in fact break the kids arm (please correct me if I'm wrong). In terms of your involvement, I'd only be worried if word gets out to other students parents and they start pulling their kids out of the school (and what parent wouldn't). The owner will probably have to pay blood money to cover it up.

I've never heard of a case of a FT hurting a child that bad. It's a bit shocking as well as sad.

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

To clear up what I posted about CYA- I was talking about a situation where parents pull their kids out of the school and hours are scaled back or a teacher is let go. Just talk to the director and see what's up.

Dan The Chainsawman · Joined: 05 May 2005

I'd consider quitting my job if I were the OP. First, I wouldn't want to work at a place that didn't take timely action against a teacher who breaks a student's arm. Second, I wouldn't want to work in a place that so poorly supports a teacher that to some extent the performance of the class is to be blamed on the adminstration of the school. Poor performance of the students that no doubt frustrated a teacher to the extreme of him shoving a child so hard it broke his or her arm.

As a parent I wouldn't be seeking revenge though. At least I hope I wouldn't be considering street justice. Not when I'm the father of a child who would more than likely end up having to come visit me in prison for exacting revenge againt the transgressor. I would see to it that the person is fired, and never works with kids again, but I wouldn't stop there either. More importantly I would go after the school as well. They have their share of responsibility for the event as well.

Richard Krainium · Joined: 12 Jan 2006

To the OP- How did you find out about this if nobody is talking about it? Please elaborate. Maybe it's still too early, but IMO the shit should of hit the fan by now. Could it be there was some exaggeration as to the extent of the child's injury? If it was my kid... Twisted Evil

oneofthesarahs · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Location: Sacheon City

There is a possibility that the school hasn't taken any action yet because the circs surrounding the incident aren't really proven one way or another. It is highly possible that the FT told the boss that the kid fell down on his own or something.

I wouldn't assume anything if I were you until you have talked to your boss, which I think would be helpful in multiple ways. First, you might be able to get the scoop about what's going on. Second, you can express your concern for the child, and make sure they know you had nothing to do with it and aren't down with pushing little kids around.

I can't believe that the FT hasn't show any remorse. If I ever hurt a kid on accident, it would tear me up (assuming this was an accident).