Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Homer]

Myth,

You are perfectly right.

Cleaning the school is not in the job description nor should it be expected of the teachers.
But, I don't see it as "pathetic" of the school to ask. We know nothing of the school and 30 minutes a week to clean the school my simply mean each teacher cleans his classroom which is perfectly acceptable in my view.

I clean my room myself at the end of each day because I think a clean classroom makes for a better teaching environment.
We have a janitor that cleans the bathrooms and other areas.
I help her carry out the trash once a week at the end of the day, not because I have too but because its a nice thing to do.

Now, the OP and shawner's post made it sound like it was beneath them to do cleaning in the school and that is was scandalous that they, being teachers, should be asked to do this.
That in my mind is a slight over-reaction.

[buddy bradley]

Oh what - you're saying that only black people should be cleaners?

[shawner88]

[Homer]

Shawner,

If a school takes advantage of you and scams you, then when they ask you to clean you tell them to take a hike.

If they treat you well and live up to everything in the contract and you have a good work athmosphere then whats the big deal with pitching in?

Its ridiculous of you to hide the fact you are just not willing to put any extra effort in behind a shield of "employers taking advantage of their employees"...

[Corporal]

Well, why not teach five more minutes each class while you're at it? Being nice, helping out, going the extra mile? Or if your boss is a jerk, you could cut each class five minutes short....

If it's not part of your contract, don't do it! End of story. Unless you stated on your resume that you were willing to do extra duties and help out around the school that hires you, you shouldn't be expected to do more than wipe off the whiteboard after you finish your class.

[just because]

I think this is a matter of common sense. i don't have any problem keeping my classroom nice and clean and giving it a sweep after class. it takes 5 minutes and everyone chips in, its not a big effort.
People commenting on don't be used are a bit silly. 5 to 10 minutes cleaning up is not a hard task, just use common sense as you'll know when enough is enough. I'm betting the people who don't clean their classrooms are the ones are the laziest and the messiest. Don't mean to offend but it is usually the way.

[marktoronto]

Ratlash, what I find most pathetic is your tunnel vision. You are only able to argue, wait, not argue, more like bitch about how you hate teachers who complain about little things like cleaning up the school. Are you not able to see the bigger picture? If you are weak initially and let others push you around, it gets harder and harder for you to make a stand. On the other hand, if you show your boss right off the bat that you are here to work hard and fulfill the tasks laid out in your contract, you make the work place a much better place for yourself.
I'm not against cleaning up the school. If my classroom is messy at the end of the day of course I'll clean up. What I'm opposed to is having a schedule that forces me to clean up. First of all, 5:30pm on Thursdays is not always the most convenient time for me, and second, if I bend over and take it up the ass on this one, what's next? Maybe next time I'll be asked to build an addition to the school.

[Ilsanman]

Just count cleaning time as teaching time.

It is easier generally than teaching, and no one bothers you. I don't mind it, but less than 1/2 hour a day. Currently, I do none.