Korean Job Discussion Forums

[alice123]

I have unusual work at my school. Last semester I taught 1-6th graders alone, and this semester I teach 2nd through 6th graders alone. Lot of the homeroom teachers don't even show up to my classroom. I know this alone is bad. They don't even translate for me. They say a good teacher does not need translation. Then they complain about not being able to understand me. Some teachers don't even speak English.

The problem is my school told me several hours before the SMOE renewal form was due, that it was due. They only had couple of hours to submit it. I told them I want to stay with SMOE but change schools. I said I liked some of the teachers, but I don't like the principals' attitude. That he thinks he can do anything he wants for the simple fact that he's the principal.

They once made me come in on a paid vacation day that they already signed as a vacation day. And when I told them they all signed that I had that day off, why "MUST" I come in? The answer was, "because the PRINCIPAL said you must come and ALL the teachers will be there." Even though I told them over and over they cannot do that to me. They didn't understand the problem.

They also expect me to ask permission and get signatures from both the principal and vice principal just to leave Seoul during my vacation time or on weekends. How bogus is that?

Also, even though I've talked to SMOE about after school programs. They said I can do it at other schools as long as I stay with SMOE. Even though I told my school that, the principal who said no. I must stay and prepare lessons all day, I cannot work anywhere else but that school. And now they're changing the story because they're scared of me complaining about the school. That they didn't understand it when they clearly told me I couldn't. Even though I know many other SMOE teachers working at other SMOE schools.

They also wanted me to teach several hours of English a week for free. Principal said he won't pay me since it's during my "free time." When I refused they kind of took it bad that it's not teaching. It's just chit chatting time and it would've been good for my relationship with the teachers.

Then they didn't submit the renewal form the day it was due, and wanted me to really "think" about submitting it. And the school is pretty much telling me they're going to give me a bad review anyway, so they asked if I want to be blacklisted from SMOE or do I want to just go home? This is so unfair. I don't know what to do. If they give a teacher a bad review, are we forever blacklisted from SMOE?

I prepare lessons, I have a perfect attendance record, they tell me I look "sick" when I don't wear makeup and that I need to act more excited. I talk normally. Why must I be like those people overly fake and look like I'm on drugs to teach??

Plus I'm supposed to be teaching 2 or 3 grade levels with a COTEACHER. Not every teacher in the school. He said that English teachers are useless for regular classroom and that the Korean teachers can do the "native speaking roles" themselves. The 3 Korean teachers at my school teach English classes completely alone with no native speaker and even teach after school special classes. Calling it native speaking English when they had open class? How on earth are they native speakers?

[The Gipkik]

Alice123, I really do feel your anger and your sense of injustice. Your school is taking advantage of you. Koreans are really perceptive in some ways, especially when you give the pretense of accepting what another teacher says amiably and with no disagreement.

I don't know why the principal of your school dislikes you. Often it is about such superficial attributes as looks, mannerisms, and so on. I wish there were avenues to help new teachers survive in this isolated jungle when the shit hits the fan. For example, on the day that you are on vacation and they want you to come in? Tell them you'll be away sorry! No more needs to be said. Offer them your most sincerest apologies, but inform them that you will be away during that time. It is not any of their business where you'll be.

Each of these cases is so particular, so unique, it is extremely difficult to offer the right advice. Best thing to do is to not think about resigning as an essential part of teaching here. Do your best according to your beliefs and if they ask you to renew your contract, okay. If not, there are many, many schools that I'm sure would love to have you, SMOE or no SMOE.

[pkang0202]

Good luck getting SMOE to help you.

SMOE main office will tell you its up to your District supervisors about your transfer. If they say you can leave your elementary school and go somewhere else, then they(the district) needs to send a form to SMOE authoring your transfer.

Of course, after you send the form, SMOE main office is going to drag their feet and give you the run around. Give you excuses like "We don't know what schools will be open for you to go to".

The best part is they'll tell you to sign the renewal contract NOW, since it is with SMOE, and they'll place you later. When later comes, it'll be too late for you to transfer schools and you are stuck.

SMOE doesn't like to transfer teachers. Why? Its much more paperwork to transfer you to another school, than to just stick a new teacher there.

[Johnny_Bravo]

OP, there is clearly once again some issue at play which we don;'t know about.

they obviously don't want you or like you, get out and find a better and different job.

there's so much sillyness at work here, I don't even know where to start.

like requiring permission to leave Seoul on weekends? or during official vacation time?

HA!

[Adjumas Cheekbones]

Alice,

I really feel for you. You sound like a nice girl, your situation really sucks. I cannot give you advice because i don't know about smoe but best of luck

AC

[Dodgy Al]

[prideofidaho]

Alice,

That's an awful situation. You can get another job. Why not do that? I asked to be transferred last August and luckily was. Tell SMOE you want a transfer or you will quit. If they still don't act, quit. Move on. Oh, and you are more than within your right to give your school a bad review in return. Document all your issues and submit them in written form to your school, your district rep, district supervisor, and SMOE.

Good luck and don't be afraid, you'll be better off!

[alice123]

Yes, I'm dead serious about written permission from both the principal and vp to leave Seoul on weekends. Little things like that tells someone that there are serious problems with the school.

Today they told me the application for renewal is due tomorrow and again they want me to "think" very hard, because the vp accounts for 30 percent and the coteachers for 30 percent of my overall 100 score. I need 70 to pass or to be able to renew with SMOE, so they're telling me my score is so low that even if I do perfectly on my open class, there's no way I'll get a 70.

I don't see how this is possible, I show up to work everyday, I prepare lessons, and I friggin teach alone! I'm doing harder work than what we are supposed to do. No matter how loud or happy I seem. They keep telling me to look enthusiastic and speak louder. Nothing is good enough.

Plus,when I replied of my unfair treatment and unusual teaching that the principal makes me do, they almost all group together saying the problem is me. And they told me even if I talk to SMOE, their opinion is more important and mine is pretty much worthless and that they did nothing wrong. And even the district supervisor is on their side. Wow, all these threats. How nice. What did I do to deserve such treatment? I can understand if I've been a bad teacher, rude to the kids, and didn't prepare lessons. But I've been doing my job, and just shocked to be treated this way.

Now I know I'm already out of luck with SMOE. I called them and they said if I can't get a 70, it's better for me to not apply. But I want to make sure I can report my school or blacklist them somewhere. That they have made me teach alone sometimes which is illegal. And this is the only school who uses their english monkey to teach only special classes, since like my principal said, we are useless in the real classroom.

I want a public school job in Seoul. How is that possible without SMOE?
Thanks for all the support and replies. I am making dead sure that I can somehow get what they deserve. I am going to write SMOE and the district supervisor. I don't think the school cares at all about what I have to say. My principal talks about how native speakers are worthless and Korean teachers can do our job. Yes, I'm definitely better off without them. I feel bad for the next teacher they think they can walk all over.

[Johnny_Bravo]

might be useless to rehash the entire story, but I'm curious how the obvious bad blood developed.

are there racial and or weight issues at play for e.g?

in my experience if a school doesn't care for a teacher, they kind of play along, and let him/her do their little thing until renewal comes up and they're not asked to renew.

I still find it hard to believe that cases such as yours and muffintops' exist.

It's a very small sample, but usually they prefer female teachers, yet the true horror stories also occur with female teachers.. so... race/ age/ weight issues?

I think there are limited EPIK gigs in Seoul, not sure exactly where, but I remember reading that somewhere. You may also try in Gangnam, where they run their own dept of education, but they may ask for a reference from your previous school and you'll be SOL.

btw... if I were told I needed permission to come and go as I please during my non work time, I'd politely tell them to shove that request where the sun doesn't shine.

[Xuanzang]

[prideofidaho]

I remember reading from another poster that you can apply directly through the district. It might be hard to diplomatically explain your situation, but it doesn't hurt to try, right? I think you can do that for any district...not just Gangnam.

What's your rep saying about this? How did you endure it for so long?

Good luck!