Korean Job Discussion Forums

fromtheuk · Joined: 31 Mar 2007

The VP and P just came to our English room to see what the classroom is like, they are doing this around the school today.

They entered the room with some of my Korean colleagues, one of them is a guy I can't stand. He stood at the doorway of my office which is connected to the English room and asked me to stand up, because the VP/P are my elders and he tried to explain I should give a guided tour, but couldn't say the words.

I said, 'No, I'm busy'. He then walked around the room with the rest of the group and they left the room. He also did his nasty trademark laugh as they exited the room.

My co-teacher said later, the Principal and VP told her to ask me to stand up in future, when they enter the room. She said because they are older than me.

The Principal has entered my classroom for the last 2 years, he has never asked me to stand up, and I have never stood up before for him. He never made it an issue in 2 years.

The Principal has already stated he will replace me with a new teacher, and it was pretty clear this was a lame attempt to get me to kiss his backside.

I told my co-teacher, my previous co-teacher never asked me to stand up for the Principal, I kept it brief, because she was just repeating what she was asked to say.

It feels good to have self-respect. Laughing

gazz · Joined: 13 Oct 2008

Is this the school you loved, other than your old Co-teacher?

Is this the school that you stated that you could see yourself at for ever (or words to similar effect I think?)

Maybe your old Co-teacher did get the final laugh after all! Laughing

At least they won't be able to knock your work ethic!?

CentralCali · Joined: 17 May 2007

My curiosity has been piqued, now, fromtheuk. Why, exactly, are you here?

BS.Dos. · Joined: 29 Mar 2007

All the students and teachers, including me, stand up whenever the Principal enters a classroom or the teachers room. Just last night at a teachers leaving dinner, the Principal arrived later than everyone else and so we all downed our chopsticks and stood up when she walked in. I thought it was one of those things that go without saying out here.

Call me old fashioned, but bosses don't generally like to hear comments like 'No, I'm busy'.

Otherside · Joined: 06 Sep 2007

fromtheuk · Joined: 31 Mar 2007

I think the old co-teacher would have the last laugh, if I had left the job before the end of my contract.

I am unpopular among the staff at my school. If they know I tried to renew my contract without success, they would be happy to know I didn't succeed, or surprised to hear why I would want to stay another year.

My last co-teacher and virtually all of the staff tried to put pressure on me, to cause me to leave. Seeing out this contract, is a victory in my book.

It's not a big deal, but you've failed to grasp my OP. Whenever the Principal enters the English room, I never stand. He has never said anything about it in 2 years and he has never asked any of my co-teachers to mention it.

Today, he mentioned it to my co-teacher.

I'm not anti-Korean or an apologist. I will not stand for anybody or bow to anybody. I will just politely acknowledge them when we meet. Laughing

BS.Dos. · Joined: 29 Mar 2007

Straphanger · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Chilgok, Korea

harlowethrombey · Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Location: Seoul

bobbybigfoot · Joined: 05 May 2007 Location: Seoul

No wonder you aren't liked and are being forced out. You have poor etiquette. You've been offending your principal all this time and continue to do so. Now you are even telling him "No, I'm busy." Don't be surprised if you start getting shafted as your end date approaches. You may have your self respect, but just know they'll all be cheering on the day you leave for good.

blackjack · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: anyang

saw6436 · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Daejeon, ROK

Are you guys just figuring out that the OP is a total a**hole and has been since day one?

CentralCali · Joined: 17 May 2007

From what I know about the EPIK evaluation system put into place at the end of last year to evaluate current teachers, there's no way fromtheuk's accounts match with reality. For one thing, the evaluation included scores assigned by the Principal, Vice-Principal, the Korean co-teachers, and the student's evaluations of the foreign teacher. If fromtheuk's statements about the aforementioned faculty and staff were true, then there's no way he would've been tendered a renewal offer.

tenchu77491 · Joined: 16 Mar 2009

The OP should have stood up and showed some respect. It may not be the same respect system in the UK, States or Canada, but for the love of god you are not in the UK, States or Canada, so deal with it.

Tjames426 · Joined: 06 Aug 2006

Um....

You have a class of how many young students and you teach sitting down?

No wonder the school is getting rid of you.