Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kyopo4life]

for public school teachers......do you get along with your teachers and principles?

[Yu_Bum_suk]

For the most part wonderfully. Of course there are lots of last-minute surprises, but that just comes with the territory. Otherwise I have very, very few complaints.

[Zantetsuken]

Well...a white person wouldn't be treated as well as someone with pure 민족 blood such as yourself. But since you are the most handsomest, bestest kyopo on the block....you'll be treated accordingly.

[harlowethrombey]

[refikaM]

The people at my school, staff and teachers, and wonderful people and treat me with respect and appreciation.. It's wonderful since I didn't get that at my last school.. I too get some "surprises," but for the most part I'm kept abreast of the goings on here... The kids are great, too. It's a small school though. Don't know if that has much to do with it but I think it helps..

[missty]

I definitely lucked out with my co-teachers. They are all really great and supportive and really respect me and my opinions. The Vice-Principle is apparently a slave driver, but she doesn't speak English so I have very little contact with her.

I have worked in many other bad schools (admittedly not in Korea) and this is the best by far for working conditions and coworkers. Ok so I have had a few problems with the admin department regarding some stuff, but as someone else said the pros far outweigh the cons. The school have asked me to stay another year and I definitely will.

[tob55]

I have been at the same school for 4 years now. It speaks for itself that while the principals and other teachers have moved on, I am there because the administrative people I have encountered have been extremely courteous and treated me with the highest level of respect. It is a mutual situation with me. I treat all of my co-workers with respect and let them know I am willing to assist in the needs of the school beyond the regular face to face classroom time. It has paid benefits to me in many other ways besides big raises and recognition.

There are the normal last minute things, but over the years they are less critical to the overall work scheme. I tend to roll with the tide these days, and do not try to make waves by issuing unrealistic demands on people when it is not within their power to follow through with them. All in all, it is what you are willing to make out of it. It can be the best of times, but unfortunately for some it can be the worst of times.

[nicam]

My coteachers are absolutely amazing. A few of the non-English teachers just don't speak to me at all, but I know it's nothing personal.

Also, not being told things in advance sometimes works in my favor because it's acceptable to decline invitations with no notice, or to skip teachers' sporting events due to lack of appropriate attire. Although I love my co-teachers, it's still work hanging out with them outside of school because of the communication barrier, and the fact that I have no idea what's being said around me. I just want to get home after school!

[I'm no Picasso]

I'll re-sign with my school in a heartbeat, if given the chance. Especially if most of my current co-teachers stay for another year. My co-teachers actually treat me like a teacher and are enthusiastic and helpful in the classroom when I explain actual grammar, or get into the details of why we say things in a certain way. They do not expect me to "entertain" the students. Nor do they hit the panic button when class goes off the rails a bit when the students start actually speaking English to ask questions or make comments, even if it's not entirely related to the lesson. They notify me of any schedule changes well in advance and ASK me if it's OKAY if they take MY class time for review during exams.

My vice principal doesn't speak English, but he is an incredibly pleasant and humble man. He always says, "HI!" and gives me a little salute.

I took a sick day a couple of weeks ago, and the principal summoned me to his office the next day. He wanted to tell me that I looked thin and pale, and I should eat more and take care of myself, because my family is very far away and he is very worried.

The students bow, even when they see me on the street.

I love my school.

[bogey666]

I'm in a great situation, workwise.

Sure there are ups and downs, some bad days.. frustrations, but overall I'm very pleased.

[Joe666]

Pretty damn good here also. I have heard some real horrer stories. Not quite sure what to believe. Every one of my 5 female co-teachers has my back at all times, which is comforting.

I even f***** up a few days ago with the female teachers in my office (11 of them). That's bad! I thought I might have lost some serious face or decapitation if you will. I am pretty sure the male teachers and staff stuck up for me "Korean Style". What that is exactly, I have no idea, but I am pretty sure it happened. Like everyone has said, it's not easy sometimes.

I believe it is how you are viewed and carry yourself that determines how you will be treated. Not that this notion is very different anywhere in the world, but as a foriegner, it seems like you might be under a microscope and everything is amplified! Maybe it's just my paranoia.

[ChinaBoy]

Wow. This has got to be the longest non-stop thread of Korean love on Dave's.

I ain't hatin', just quite surprised. I guess most of the negatives come from the hagwons.

[Kurtz]

I get "Hello Mr X" by at least 5 students walking to school.

I then get bowed to by the teacher in charge of cleaning and safety that week. I get besieged by kids saying hello on my way to the VP's room.

I get a warm hello as I walk in the door. My co-workers are great.

Afternoons consist of hassle free seat warming, along with "Excuse me Mr X, would you like a Korean lesson?" (which is fine as I'm studying it) from one of my co-teachers, and also twice a week the old boy from the pay room will come into my room armed with his table tennis bat asking if I want a hit.

The other teachers are very shy so they give me a polite bow or a smile and a hi. Schools dinners though kind of suck, I feel very much like an outsider.

Overall can't complain really.

Last year I had a mental funeral...it's all about the co-teachers.

[bogey666]

[B of NC]

Just out of curiosity since everyone is feeling so good about their situations, are most of you in fairly urban areas or are some of you enjoying the more rural portions of the country?