Korean Job Discussion Forums

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

I am reading an alarming number of posts these days from people who are having their public school co-teachers screw them over in some way. Just to remind everyone. The co-teacher in 100% of the cases is not the boss. The principal is the person sign stamping your contract, so you are wasting your time by allowing the co-teacher buffalo you into thinking this or that about the work contract. If you principal doesn't speak English then find someone you can trust that does speak English and take them with you when you meet with the principal. I never go into a meeting with my principal without my wife (Korean) who sits there with me and quickly asks questions to clarify things that are strange about the contract discussion.

Call it what you want, but there is absolutely too much of this BS going on nowadays, and it could be stopped if you just do a couple of things to protect yourself. I never rely on my co-teacher to communicate anything regarding my employment to the principal. That's like asking a child to handle all of my personal affairs. Nothing against the co-teachers, but they don't know squat about what is involved in the real issues regarding my contract. I know from 4 years of contract negotiations, and had to plainly tell my co-teacher she was not my boss on a few occasions when she was trying to pull the "I am your supervisor" BS on me. My supervisor sits in his office 8 hours a day, and if I have any questions or concerns with my contract I go to him, not the co-teacher.

This whole problem with the co-teachers usurping power and authority that doesn't belong to them is senseless and causes way too many problems for people. My co-teachers stopped lying about "what the principal said" a few years ago once they understood that I knew the rules and my rights as an employee. They know if I have a problem I will go directly to the person who has the greatest stake in the equation, the principal. You folks don't have to listen, and you can criticize what I am saying if you choose to, but your are shooting your own feet every time you rely on co-teachers because they are not working for your benefit most of the time. They are simply doing their job the Korean way, good or bad IMHO.

So, find a Korean you trust, who speaks English and use them as your interpreter when you meet with the principal, and stop thinking the co-teacher is your boss or supervisor, they are not. If you don't believe it then look at your contract and find the clause where it identifies them as such. The only person putting their signature on your contract other than your own is the principal.

KYC · Joined: 11 May 2006

My ct is the head teacher. I know for a fact him & the p are in it on most thigns including the lies they try to feed me. Just came back from my vacation 2 days ago and can not believe the bs I have to put up with. Then suddenly, I am given a 3 day special holiday. I'm highly suspicious, but they say I dont have to come seat warm.

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

That's why I said to find someone you can trust. The co-teacher in many cases is in the back pocket of the principal for whatever reason. It can be particularly hard if you work with male co-teachers because they feel some unspoken sense of propriety regarding their position in terms of the foreign teacher. However, they are nothing more than yes men. You have a right to take someone into the principals office that is going to communicate what you are saying clearly and without changing the meaning or intent of your communication. This is why my wife attends these meetings with me. They don't like it at all, but I protect myself. I have even had to remind my wife that they are not our friends, and not to confuse the Korean-Korean communications they have between themselves.

Ramen · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

Excellent post and advice, tob55.

This thread should be a sticky.

vdowd · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Location: Iksan

So a question,

What recourse do you have when you work at a private elementary school and the principal has absolutely refused to talk to you?

I wanted to discuss taking a week off and my handler said no. I said that I believed that he did not have to authority to say yeah or nay and asked to speak with the principal to discuss my reasons. The reply via the handler - the principal does not wish to speak to you or hear about the topic again.

Thanks if you have any insight or possible solutions to this.

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 12:17 am Post subject:

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

Again, it is just someone claiming to have authority they are not entitled to. To put it straight, if your handler tells you something like this, it is a lie because they don't want to be bothered with your questions or concerns. This is why people should begin standing up for their rights individually first. If the co-teacher is road blocking you, then just ignore then and go see the principal on your own without the co-teacher. It is bull crap if they say you must follow their protocol. There is no such thing regarding the native teacher. The principal is your direct link to any questions concerning your contract or time off. The co-teacher is yanking your chain here, and it can be stopped if you want it to.

If you have a specific question you want me to answer in person, PM me and I'll give you more information. Happy to do it so that people stop this stupidity that is going on right now with all of the things the co-teachers are pulling when it is not in their rights or privileges to do so.

jangsalgida · Joined: 11 Jan 2006

OP,
Most Native English Teachers are not married to a Korean person so finding someone you can "trust" is not easy. Think about just how difficult it is to find a Korean person to help you get a week off/someone who will speak to the Principal for you/on your true behalf. A vacation is not really a hot topic either, so other things that happen such as pay/overtime issues could be more difficult to find a true "handler."

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 2:24 am Post subject: Re: The Facts

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

The issues are going to continue as long as people allow them to continue.

YoungFrank is right, people should be setting the co-teachers straight and let them know that they are not the native teacher's boss. Like I said people will criticize my comments and that's okay, because I know how to work around this now, and others whether married to a Korean or not can do the same thing, but it takes more than a compliant attitude to make it happen. People don't have to be suckered into believing that the co-teachers are given some mysterious power over them. All it takes is a little thought and some common sense. The principal in your school is the responsible person for the contract, so if you are going to someone other than him or her, then you are setting yourself up for a fall, big time.

reimund · Joined: 01 Oct 2007

I wish I would have run into this thread earlier. I had some major issues with one of my co-teachers because of this. Early on in the year she jokingly claimed she was my "manager", although not in a hostile or negative way, and now I see that was the cause for a lot of our problems.

AwesomeA · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Location: Yeosu

Co-teachers can be very slanderous if they don't like you. Their power trips can effect your reference. For instance, my co-teacher found out I was getting a lot more benefits and jealousy kicked in. She created a bad image for me. She quit a month before I did and called the boss and made up a bunch of shite about me. In the end the boss gave me a talk, I hope you will at least be a good teacher for the last month of your contract.