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Transferring between Public Schools
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Draz



Joined: 27 Jun 2007
Location: Land of Morning Clam
PostPosted: Thu May 22, 2008 8:19 pm    Post subject: Transferring between Public Schools Reply with quote
I want to transfer to a different public school. I'm at a middle school and I want to be in an elementary school like I originally asked for and was told I would get.

My contract says I will teach in elementary and/or middle schools. I know transfers are possible because... a previous teacher at this school got one. I don't know if it was her request, or just a random administrative decision, or if they wanted to get rid of her, but she was transferred.

Who is the best person to talk to about this? Does anyone have experience with switching between public schools and staying under the same contract?
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tob55



Joined: 29 Apr 2007
PostPosted: Thu May 22, 2008 8:45 pm    Post subject: What I understand Reply with quote
If you are in GEPIK, we were told that any time you switch from one school to another your contract tenure begins all over again. This means that your tenure at the first or previous school makes no difference other than the fact you have experience you can use as a bargaining chip in your salary negotiations.

With that said, it depends on the school you are moving to to determine what you will receive in terms of experience and level recognition. There is no such thing as "tenure" of carrying your years experience with you here in Korea as there is in the US or other places as an educator. Part of the reason is that foreigners are not considered full time employees within the Korean Education system. We are contract employees which makes us non-permanent employees.

If you are with EPIK or SMOE I am fairly sure the rules will basically be the same, but it depends on the hiring agency. That is what I know from a personal and practical position. I was going to switch jobs from one public school to the next and found out in time before I completed the switch. Otherwise I would have had to "go back" in terms of the benefits I have worked hard over the years I was at my current school to build up.
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Draz



Joined: 27 Jun 2007
Location: Land of Morning Clam
PostPosted: Thu May 22, 2008 9:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I'm with EPIK. Neither of the places I'm working is named in my contract. I work wherever the province says I have to work. I don't want to outright quit because I don't want to pay back my airfare.
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Bibbitybop



Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
PostPosted: Thu May 22, 2008 9:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
In SMOE, contracts are with SMOE, not with ind. schools. At the rehiring time, you can transfer schools within SMOE.
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Draz



Joined: 27 Jun 2007
Location: Land of Morning Clam
PostPosted: Thu May 22, 2008 10:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Bibbitybop wrote:
In SMOE, contracts are with SMOE, not with ind. schools. At the rehiring time, you can transfer schools within SMOE.


I'm asking about changing schools mid-contract. No one has done it? No one has any information?
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aarontendo



Joined: 08 Feb 2006
Location: Daegu-ish
PostPosted: Thu May 22, 2008 10:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
It's probably damn hard to do I'd reckon.
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Bibbitybop



Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
PostPosted: Thu May 22, 2008 10:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Draz wrote:
Bibbitybop wrote:
In SMOE, contracts are with SMOE, not with ind. schools. At the rehiring time, you can transfer schools within SMOE.


I'm asking about changing schools mid-contract. No one has done it? No one has any information?


That is a tricky situation and I have yet to hear of anyone pulling it off.
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pkang0202



Joined: 09 Mar 2007
PostPosted: Thu May 22, 2008 10:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Bibbitybop wrote:
Draz wrote:
Bibbitybop wrote:
In SMOE, contracts are with SMOE, not with ind. schools. At the rehiring time, you can transfer schools within SMOE.


I'm asking about changing schools mid-contract. No one has done it? No one has any information?


That is a tricky situation and I have yet to hear of anyone pulling it off.


I've heard of it happening in GEPIK. VERY RARE though. Basically, she said I want to transfer school or else I'm running. Of course, you have to have good reason. You can't simply change schools because you don't like 1 teacher there.

From what I understand, when you switch schools, you are in a new 1 year contract. Meaning, you don't get to finish out your current contract at your new school.

It is VERY VERY difficult but it can be done. You have to have good reason to switch schools though.
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Dome Vans
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PostPosted: Thu May 22, 2008 10:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Bibbitybop wrote:
Draz wrote:
Bibbitybop wrote:
In SMOE, contracts are with SMOE, not with ind. schools. At the rehiring time, you can transfer schools within SMOE.


I'm asking about changing schools mid-contract. No one has done it? No one has any information?


That is a tricky situation and I have yet to hear of anyone pulling it off.


You'd have to kick up one hell of a fuss to get moved.

With Epik, teachers generally move around in February at the beginning of the school year. I'd very much doubt that you could get your co-teacher on your side that much, to argue with the supervisors and get you moved. After a few years in the same city then you might have some leverage, but 6 months in.... At the end of the contract is a different story, you can use that as a bargaining chip but middle difficult.

The only thing I can think of is to find another teacher in your city who may be willing to swap their elementary for your middle school, and approach it like that.

I'm in the process of helping my friend change her teachers classes for an elementary school, but then again she's at the end of her contract.
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Draz



Joined: 27 Jun 2007
Location: Land of Morning Clam
PostPosted: Thu May 22, 2008 10:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
pkang0202 wrote:

It is VERY VERY difficult but it can be done. You have to have good reason to switch schools though.


I think it is a good school, but I really did not come here to teach middle school. I gave it a shot but this is really not what I signed up for. Having to do everything alone is way too much pressure!

My coteacher would rather work with someone... hmmm.... better so I don't think it's impossible to get her on my side.

Like anyone would want to trade elementary school for middle! Haha! Wink

So general consensus... it's easier to outright quit and find a new job and get a new visa?
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spliff



Joined: 19 Jan 2004
Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand