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New contract with Gepic. Whose decision is it?

 
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Suwon Fish



Joined: 11 Nov 2008
Location: Hongdae

PostPosted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 12:12 am    Post subject: New contract with Gepic. Whose decision is it? Reply with quote

I have been working in the Gepik program for 4 years now.

After 3 years of working with undermining, lazy, dishonest co-teachers I decided enough was enough... I won't list items of bad behaviour as I am sure you are all too familiar with them.

I gave my school an ultimatum to perform. Either they acted professionally and competently or I would leave and take the program with me.

By the way, my list of demands was...

1: Be respectful to me, even if you don't like me
2: Come to your classes
3: Come to class with the intention of working

Not really so unreasonable... I cc'd my ultimatum to the Principal, VP, Gepik and my co-teachers.

Guess what? My school went from one of the worst I was aware of to one of the best!

I am truly amazed at the difference a co-operative co-teacher in every class makes. You make a leap from coping to teaching ^^

I can't say my relationship is comfortable with every co-teacher but it is professional. And this is work. We can be big buddies AFTER we create an effective work environment.

Anyway, re-signing time is at hand. My Principal loves me, as does (I think) the VP. About half my co-teachers really like me, about half really dislike me.

I suspect my co-teachers will try to pull some dirty trick on me to get me out of the school...

I love the job, my students, my vacation and my big ass apartment. What is the best way to ensure continuation?


Last edited by Suwon Fish on Fri Nov 28, 2008 12:20 am; edited 1 time in total
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cruisemonkey



Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.

PostPosted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 1:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Take your principal to a room salon after work one night and blow about W2,000,000 on outrageously expensive whisky, anju and girls.
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Suwon Fish



Joined: 11 Nov 2008
Location: Hongdae

PostPosted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 1:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

cruisemonkey wrote:
Take your principal to a room salon after work one night and blow about W2,000,000 on outrageously expensive whisky, anju and girls.


Haha, I am 100% sure that would work!

I was hoping for a lower cost idea (plus the dude already loves me for kicking his English dept. in the ass).

My co-teachers believe the decision to re-hire me is one they make and then present to the Principal.

I am wondering if I should try to cut them out of the equation and make a written offer direct to the Principal...

I want to keep my job, be at least a little diplomatic towards my co-teachers (and keep my 2,000 bucks, oh wait, that 1,000 now....)
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teachergirltoo



Joined: 28 Oct 2006

PostPosted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 3:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

This is a difficult situation, because as you know your professionalism, and abilities, are not considered too much when it comes to renewal. It is basically a popularity vote. Very immature manner of choosing a teacher but truthfully that is how it happens. With that in mind, I would suggest that you take either the VP or Principal for lunch if you are on great terms with them and make clear how much you enjoy working with them and how much you love your students and the school. This way if the popularity vote goes against you, and the K English teachers make a negative recommendation, the VP and Principal can override it if they want to, or at least ask for serious reasoning behind their recommendation.
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sojusucks



Joined: 31 May 2008

PostPosted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 10:16 pm    Post subject: Re: New contract with Gepic. Whose decision is it? Reply with quote

Suwon Fish wrote:
I have been working in the Gepik program for 4 years now.

After 3 years of working with undermining, lazy, dishonest co-teachers I decided enough was enough... I won't list items of bad behaviour as I am sure you are all too familiar with them.

I gave my school an ultimatum to perform. Either they acted professionally and competently or I would leave and take the program with me.

By the way, my list of demands was...

1: Be respectful to me, even if you don't like me
2: Come to your classes
3: Come to class with the intention of working

Not really so unreasonable... I cc'd my ultimatum to the Principal, VP, Gepik and my co-teachers.

Guess what? My school went from one of the worst I was aware of to one of the best!

I am truly amazed at the difference a co-operative co-teacher in every class makes. You make a leap from coping to teaching ^^

I can't say my relationship is comfortable with every co-teacher but it is professional. And this is work. We can be big buddies AFTER we create an effective work environment.

Anyway, re-signing time is at hand. My Principal loves me, as does (I think) the VP. About half my co-teachers really like me, about half really dislike me.

I suspect my co-teachers will try to pull some dirty trick on me to get me out of the school...

I love the job, my students, my vacation and my big ass apartment. What is the best way to ensure continuation?


Having co-teachers stand up for you will make a huge difference during resigning time. Otherwise, there is not much that you can do.

As you probably know, in Korea, quality doesn't matter but having people like you does. The fact that the school changed how they treated you is a postive sign. You won't know for certain until it is time to resign.

Always have a backup tough. Do not rely upon resigning. That is the best position to negotiate from.
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fromtheuk



Joined: 31 Mar 2007

PostPosted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've heard many people on this forum say you must be popular at your school to have your contract renewed.

I don't doubt this is true in some cases.

But anybody reading these comments needs to realize this is not true of all schools.

I was not well liked at my school, but my Principal is the kind of person who doesn't care at all about anybody's opinion, but his own.

His opinion is final and I feel nobody at my school has any influence over him at all. That's probably why he himself is unpopular among staff.

He renewed my contract for a 2nd year. My contract ends in May.

During this contract, my co-teacher and I have complained about each other to the Principal, and most of the staff here can't stand me.

I've recently told the Principal I've completed a teaching certificate (TESOL online) and I've told him I thought it would be good for our 'model' school to have a 'qualified' teacher.

This was an obvious hint, designed to project a 'dedicated' image.

He looked happy, shook my hand and congratulated me.

If he renews my contract for a 3rd year, this confirms not all schools value popularity at all. If you have a Principal who is a dictator, if he wants you there, what everybody else thinks is irrelevant. Laughing
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