Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Juke John]

I am coming to the end of my contract at high school in Yongin.

Almost everything has gone swimmingly. While the English level of the students on average is low, they like me and are learning with me.

I teach parents during vacations, and they all love me. I have gotten along well with the principal and VP. I get along well with the administrators.

The other teachers like me, including my six co-teachers except for one, and because of her, I have been told my contract will not be renewed. The principal said I have to get along with ALL the teachers.

This one teacher never liked me from the beginning I realize now. At first, when she just stood there and took no part I my class, I just thought she was lazy. By itself that is not a problem because I can teach a class on my own, but all the other co-teachers help by explaining what they do not understand and by helping to maintain discipline.

One day she hands me a letter. She said she tried to talk to me but could not find me. She looked for me at 4:30 but my eight hours go from 8:10 to 4:10 as my principal has mandated. Anyway it is a non-issue because we co-taught (I use the term loosely) four classes per week, before or after any of which she could have spoken to me.

After beginning with not finding me at 4:30, the letter continues with the criticism that I wrote in all capitals on the board. She then said my classes were both too easy (students were "bored") and too hard (they don't understand me). In other words, she criticized EVERYTHING I did, the book I was using, etc., etc.

Even though all the other teachers liked my classes, I am an accommodating guy and looked for some different activities to do in her class. When I tried them, she did not like them either.

The problem came to a head when she told me RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF CLASS that my lesson was too hard for HER students. (Oh yes, I should add that she came to the school AFTER I did by several months.) Now, I don't care if I am the worst teacher in the world, you do not voice such a criticism before students.

At that point, I complained to my head teacher and told him I could not longer work with that co-teacher. I really had a mind to refuse to enter the classroom again with her, but he said it was a big problem, and since he is another co-teacher with whom I am friendly, I gave it a few more tries sprinkled between a few strategic sick days. I seriously considered, and am still considering, lodging a formal complaint about that teacher violating professional ethics with her actions in the classroom. I was promised the schedule would change and I'd not have to work with her after vacation. Problem solved, or so I thought.

UNTIL I got the notice from the principal that I would not be rehired for a second year. "A teacher has to get along with ALL the other teachers," he said. he also mentioned something about my "teaching methods," obviously parroted from her, as he has never even observed a class of mine, and all the other teachers support me.

I like my school (except for her). I like where I live. I have made friends here. My apartment, while a bit small, is not as small as several other teachers' I have seen, and is new and clean. I am not a newbie out of college just here for a year, but rather an older expat looking for a permanent home, or at least something long-term.

I know I can find another job easily enough, but there are only a few high schools around here, and I want to stay in the area. The options of teaching middle or elementary school or at a hagwon are there, but I'd rather not. I am qualified to teach university and may do so altho it is late for this year.

Is there any way to get my principal to reconsider? Would changing his mind make him lose the all-important face here in Korea? What if I were to use the old American ways of getting the students to petition, the parents, other teachers? I realize they may not even do it, being intimidated by the principal in their Confucian way.

What about these even more devious ideas: what if I go ahead with the professional complaint? I don't even know where to do so, but I assume there is somewhere. Does anyone know? What if I just tell my principal I hadn't gone through with it before out of respect for him and his school, but now those reasons no longer apply.

What about the racism issue: if I have to get along with all the other teachers, doesn't she? Why isn't she being fired, too?

If that doesn't work, the heavy artillery: I know there was money in the budget to buy me a laptop which they never did. I don't think the school needs an investigation into embezzlement.

I know this may seem a bit of overkill, but I really want to stay in this job. I also know that most likely I will end up leaving, and maybe in a few months think that it was the best thing that ever happened as I find myself a better position. But can any of my crazy ideas work? I am not here just for the money, I am here for the life, and I like my life now.

Serious comments and suggestions will be appreciated.

[Draz]

Their loss. Move on. Sorry.

[KYC]

Principal says you must get along with ALL the teachers? hmm sounds like crock

[bassexpander]

You'll find that they'll be very unhappy with the next teacher, and probably wish they had never let you go.

Keep your chin up. They are probably going to have a hard time finding anyone they like. There are lots of other good jobs out there.

[semi-fly]

Take it with a grain of salt and don't let it bother you so much.

I take it you talked with the Principal and Vice Principal over your issue with the co-teacher and not just talked to the other co-teachers. If so and the issue is still not resolved let it go and move on to greener pastures, like you said there are other jobs out there (I know, you like your current situation, but life doesn't always work out the way you want it to).

I doubt a petition would work, but if you feel you need to exhaust all your options feel free. Just don't get your hopes up.

Start looking for other opportunities and prepare all your documents.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

It came down to you or her and the principal chose her. Move on.

[SHANE02]

This is what I was thinking. Wish them the best of luck (they'll need it), and move on.

[Juke John]

Thanks for those responses, but what about all my subterfuge ideas?

And what I definitely will do is a formal complaint for violation of professional ethics. Anyone know where I can begin this?

[wylies99]

Hmmm, sounds like internal politics. A regular teacher has that much power in a school? That teacher must have relatives in positions of power.
Nepotism is big in Korea.
Have you done anything to accumulate allies? If you do have any allies, now is the time to call in your chits. You need them to talk to the Principal, on your behalf.
Otherwise, you need to move on.

[wylies99]

BTW, this is the fourth PS teacher who has told me almost the exact same story.

[Fresh Prince]

If it was me I would forget about the job and move on to something else. If you get a good recommendation from the school, you'll be able to find a job nearby so no worries.

I'd focus on getting a good written recommendation from the principal and making sure that they give you a good verbal one if someone calls in the future. If they really hate the next person they get, maybe they will hire you back again, who knows.

Filing a complaint will probably guarantee a negative view of you, so if you go that route then I wouldn't expect them to do any favors for you. If you decide to twist their arm to keep you on then I'd expect they wouldn't be very happy about that, and would look for a more devious way to get rid of you.

[Sody]

[oldfatfarang]

Sorry to hear you've run foul of confucian public school politics. I've been there - and many other posters have, too.

If I may offer some words of caution: you've lost your job. Period. Forget this and move on. Despite your experience and, hopefully, excellent teaching skills, these weren't appreciated at your current school. That doesn't matter - there are more schools for you - and staying at your school will, ultimately, be a very unpleasant experience. Move on - with your head held high.

Your concern now is the reference you get from your principal. If you ruffle any more feathers, stop smiling, and start playing catch-up politics - you're doomed to not only lose your job - but, very importantly, many future jobs (through having a bad principal's reference).

How do I know this? I wasn't re-signed, and since then I've had some very embarrassing questions (regarding my last school) during interviews with ME unis and K recruiters. Be warned: even one co-teacher's discontent can follow you around the world.

Stop. Think. Move on. A years public school teaching in Korea isn't worth ruining your future teaching career for. Afterall, you aren't going to change every Korean public school teacher's perceptions of a 'good' NSET (young, smiley, attractive, accommodating, male/female etc - and USA (or non-USA).

Good luck.

[Juke John]

[Cracker006]

It's difficult to get rid of a public school teacher, once they are hired. It's easy to get rid of a foreign teacher. In the interest of peace, he'll go with the easy out.

Also, she's probably connected, to feel confident to be openly agressive to you.

Cut your losses. Find a new job.