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Problem w/ GEPIK Orientation...
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Easter Clark



Joined: 18 Nov 2007
Location: Hiding from Yie Eun-woong
PostPosted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 5:58 pm    Post subject: Problem w/ GEPIK Orientation... Reply with quote
I was just informed that the orientation for GEPIK teachers will be the first week of July (the last day will be Friday, the 4th). I have two problems with this:

1. If I take a week to go to this orientation, I will not finish my after-school classes before summer vacation. When I asked if I will get paid for those classes, I was told "I can't give you a straight answer right now."

2. I'm nearly in my 14th month at the same school. Because of scheduling I arrived just after last year's orientation. So in this case I feel that staying at the school and teaching my classes is much more beneficial to me than being told Korean food is hot and that I should try to work together with my coteachers.

Is there any way I can get out of going? What would happen if I took my sick days that week (on paper) and showed up to work? Should I call Dain Bae and talk to her about it, or would it be better to remain under the radar?

I'd really like some advice from people who have more than a couple of years' experience in Korea.

Last edited by Easter Clark on Wed Jun 04, 2008 7:44 pm; edited 1 time in total
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marlow



Joined: 06 Feb 2005
PostPosted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 6:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
You can re-schedule your after school classes. And, then call in sick for the orientation.
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IncognitoHFX



Joined: 06 May 2007
Location: Yeongtong, Suwon
PostPosted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 6:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I'm going to that orientation too. That exact week is going to be an exam week at my school, which would've meant that I had the week off. Instead, this conference conveniently appears and cancels my entire vacation. Rats.
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Cerriowen



Joined: 03 Jun 2006
Location: Pocheon
PostPosted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 6:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
No body has told me anything.

As usual.

Where is it? How long is it?
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maingman



Joined: 26 Jan 2008
Location: left Korea
PostPosted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 6:52 pm    Post subject: . Reply with quote
Easter Clark


nearly in my 14 month in my THIRD school
as my Primary Teacher used to say... keep smiling Very Happy
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ttompatz



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
PostPosted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 7:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
After being here (in GEPIK) and at your school for MORE THAN 1 year - your attendance is NOT required (unless your school wants to send you).

If they choose to send you then you are going.

If you don't want to go, tell your co-teacher that you don't want to go.

IF you do go, network and enjoy yourself but don't play with fire extinguishers.

.
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Easter Clark



Joined: 18 Nov 2007
Location: Hiding from Yie Eun-woong
PostPosted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 7:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
marlow wrote:
And, then call in sick for the orientation.


So what recourse can they take if I do this?

ttompatz--

If I call Dain Bae and tell her that I've been here more than a year (she should know this!), will she tell me I'm not required to go?

It's scheduled June 30-July 4, btw (also the week of exams for us)....
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ttompatz



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
PostPosted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 7:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Easter Clark wrote:
marlow wrote:
And, then call in sick for the orientation.


So what recourse can they take if I do this?

ttompatz--

If I call Dain Bae and tell her that I've been here more than a year (she should know this!), will she tell me I'm not required to go?


It's not her choice or yours.

The Principal (or possibly the district supervisor) makes the decision and if he says go, then pack your backpack for a short holiday.

Usually the principal makes the choice but with the new "English excellence" drive he may be told to send you even if he decided you didn't need to go.

Let your feelings be known to your co-teacher and just wait.
Maybe you get sent, maybe you don't.

Just like camps, it is part of the job and out of your hands - just go with the flow. It's not worth picking a fight over.

If you put the chip on your shoulder you will get nothing from it. Take the chip off and get the most you can from it. Like any other orientation/conference it is only as good as the participants.

Use it for what it's worth. Treat it like an opportunity for professional development. Network with others, there will be others there who have experience here. Share ideas - newbies can learn from you and you can learn from others who have some time in already.

One other difference this year as compared to years past is that the elementary and MS/HS orientations should not be together so the stuff you get should be more focused as well.

When it is done, send your WRITTEN comments and thoughts to GEPIK or post them on the GEPIK website. Improvements can only occur when there is feedback and those with a year or two here can make a difference.

.
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IncognitoHFX



Joined: 06 May 2007
Location: Yeongtong, Suwon
PostPosted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 7:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
ttompatz wrote:
After being here (in GEPIK) and at your school for MORE THAN 1 year - your attendance is NOT required (unless your school wants to send you).

If they choose to send you then you are going.

If you don't want to go, tell your co-teacher that you don't want to go.

IF you do go, network and enjoy yourself but don't play with fire extinguishers.

.


It's mandatory for me to go, and I want to go. I just hate how it falls on a week I could've had off due to exams.

Can anyone give me some information about it? What does it consist of? Do I really have to sleep in a dorm room with some random person?

Are the lectures generally useful? I've only been at the public school game a week so anything is beneficial to me.
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ttompatz



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
PostPosted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
IncognitoHFX wrote:
ttompatz wrote:
After being here (in GEPIK) and at your school for MORE THAN 1 year - your attendance is NOT required (unless your school wants to send you).

If they choose to send you then you are going.

If you don't want to go, tell your co-teacher that you don't want to go.

IF you do go, network and enjoy yourself but don't play with fire extinguishers.

.


It's mandatory for me to go, and I want to go. I just hate how it falls on a week I could've had off due to exams.

Can anyone give me some information about it? What does it consist of? Do I really have to sleep in a dorm room with some random person?

Are the lectures generally useful? I've only been at the public school game a week so anything is beneficial to me.


Download and have a look at the orientation books from years past and you will have some idea:
http://cge2.ken.go.kr/r/bbs/board.php?bbs_code=f_orientation
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