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| Why did you leave your public school job? |
| Moved to another public school job in a preferred location |
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12% |
[ 3 ] |
| Was in EPIK/SMOE/GEPIK/Other and it sucked so I moved to a non-EPIK/SMOE/GEPIK/Other public school |
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4% |
[ 1 ] |
| Went to work in a hagwon |
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24% |
[ 6 ] |
| Went to work in an university |
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8% |
[ 2 ] |
| Co-teacher problems |
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4% |
[ 1 ] |
| Other school problems not directly related to co-teachers (please explain) |
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0% |
[ 0 ] |
| Not satisfied with pay or pay scale |
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8% |
[ 2 ] |
| Vacation camps and/or deskwarming |
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16% |
[ 4 ] |
| Left Korea |
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4% |
[ 1 ] |
| Other (please explain) |
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20% |
[ 5 ] |
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| Total Votes : 25 |
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ABC KID
Joined: 14 Sep 2007
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 Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:38 am Post subject: Why did you leave your public school job? |
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To those it applies to, why did you leave your public school job? If possible, please explain your answer.
In the case of there being several reasons, please choose the most prominent.
In the case of having worked at several public schools, please cite your various experiences... |
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Scouse Mouse
Joined: 07 Jan 2007
Location: Cloud #9
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| Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 3:39 am Post subject: Re: Why did you leave your public school job? |
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Went to work in a hagwon. Less time at school, no headaches, and more money. My 2nd hagwon job has less teaching hours than PS, more money, more vacation, and no desk warming. It's a no brainer  |
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Epicurus
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 3:50 am Post subject: Re: Why did you leave your public school job? |
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| Scouse Mouse wrote: |
| Went to work in a hagwon. Less time at school, no headaches, and more money. My 2nd hagwon job has less teaching hours than PS, more money, more vacation, and no desk warming. It's a no brainer |
more vacation?
how is that possible at a hagwon? |
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definitely maybe
Joined: 16 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 3:52 am Post subject: Re: Why did you leave your public school job? |
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| Epicurus wrote: |
| Scouse Mouse wrote: |
| Went to work in a hagwon. Less time at school, no headaches, and more money. My 2nd hagwon job has less teaching hours than PS, more money, more vacation, and no desk warming. It's a no brainer |
more vacation?
how is that possible at a hagwon? |
not all hagwons are created equal. furthermore, there are places available to f-type visas that can't even be compared to what most e-2s will encounter, at least early on. |
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Draz
Joined: 27 Jun 2007
Location: Land of Morning Clam
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| Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 4:05 am Post subject: |
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I picked other because there really wasn't one most prominent reason.
The big three:
Co-teacher problems
Not satisfied with pay or pay scale
Vacation camps and/or deskwarming
And:
Other school problems not directly related to co-teachers (EPIK did not consider request to be placed in an elementary school)
Take any one of those away and it would have been bearable enough to finish the contract and collect the big cash prize.
I moved on without finding a new job and would have taken any of these:
Was in EPIK/SMOE/GEPIK/Other and it sucked so I moved to a non-EPIK/SMOE/GEPIK/Other public school
Went to work in a hagwon
Went to work in an university
Currently have no coteacher problems, I'm satisfied with my pay, I'm paid for extra work, and teaching an age I like. Won't be going back to public schools. |
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Epicurus
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 4:15 am Post subject: |
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i think the poll is too broad.
there are pschools and there are pschools, just like there are good hogwans (according to some people) and bad ones.
now that I've gotten "spoiled" working at the PS that I work at, these are all issues that will be examined very closely if and when I am replaced or decided to change schools.
(like deskwarming, camps, and general stuff)
Lastly, there is always one surefire way to avoid co-teacher probs.
Befriend their boss (either dept head, or vp or principal), but first ensure they are able to speak English and then interested in improving it (with you as the conduit). Obviously such situations are rare, but those are the ones that (would) interest me.
the co-teachers will fade into insignificance in short order, and won't dare mess with you if they know their superior likes you. Their only real weapon against you is their word/opinion vs yours. For e.g. if he/she thinks you are a bad teacher and unprofessional, irresponsible, etc et etc and there is no Korean to present an alternative viewpoint - that's how NET's get into lose/lose situations with their handlers/co-teachers. |
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The Gipkik
Joined: 30 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 4:25 am Post subject: |
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| Oh, damn. Co-teachers. I'll remember Korea for only one reason. Having to work with co-teachers--as I've never had to before. I've had 5 in the past 7 months and they've been sweet as puddin pie. I'm still trying to process how incredibly variable the experiences can get here, but I'm willing to bet that people get what they kinda deserve. I truly love my co-teachers and treat them with incredible respect. Yeah, sounds corny, but you gotta walk in my shoes... |
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Epicurus
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 4:45 am Post subject: |
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| The Gipkik wrote: |
| Oh, damn. Co-teachers. I'll remember Korea for only one reason. Having to work with co-teachers--as I've never had to before. I've had 5 in the past 7 months and they've been sweet as puddin pie. I'm still trying to process how incredibly variable the experiences can get here, but I'm willing to bet that people get what they kinda deserve. I truly love my co-teachers and treat them with incredible respect. Yeah, sounds corny, but you gotta walk in my shoes... |
I make every effort to remain cordial and genial with my co-teachers as much as possible.
I get to do what I want in my classes, that is/was recognized and understood from the get go, but I always try to ask them for any advice, suggestions, etc and am completely sensitive to their wishes should they want the class for different reasons like test prep, special occassion, etc.
it's the logical approach, neh? (i've just finished reading Sho-gun again and am very fond of this Japanese-ism)
I think they realize and I realize that it's in our common interest to make each other's jobs as easy as possible. |
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The Gipkik
Joined: 30 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 4:47 am Post subject: |
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| Of course. Just playing. I know how tough it can be for some teachers, ne? Sho-gun yokkata desu ne? |
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Epicurus
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 5:11 am Post subject: |
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| The Gipkik wrote: |
| Of course. Just playing. I know how tough it can be for some teachers, ne? Sho-gun yokkata desu ne? |
I have an immense interest in learning Japanese. Shogun was a big part in this perception/interest on my part.
I have zero interest in learning Korean. I know this isn't "right", and I should feel differently.
any suggestions on helping me overcome this? (I'm actually being serious) |
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D.D.
Joined: 29 May 2008
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| Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 5:22 am Post subject: |
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1. Korea sucks
2. 20-30% of classes are cancelled.
3. co-teachers
4. bus and taxi to work.
5.Korea is boring and people not so nice.
6. short holidays |
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The Gipkik
Joined: 30 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 5:37 am Post subject: |
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| Epicurus wrote: |
| The Gipkik wrote: |
| Of course. Just playing. I know how tough it can be for some teachers, ne? Sho-gun yokkata desu ne? |
I have an immense interest in learning Japanese. Shogun was a big part in this perception/interest on my part.
I have zero interest in learning Korean. I know this isn't "right", and I should feel differently.
any suggestions on helping me overcome this? (I'm actually being serious) |
Tough, tough one. It may be a question of respect. I learned a lot of Japanese (spoken) during my time in Japan because I really liked the culture, loved the movies, anime, its history, even the vulnerability of the Japanese. In particular, it was a spiritual thing. If I don't catch that in the air whilst (I've always wanted to use that one too) I am living in the country, it's hard for me to just learn the language because it is so much like a personality--just as I see nations in general. That said, Korea is very, very slowly growing on me. It may be glacial in terms of time, but there is something here that is catching my mind beyond the materialism and superficiality. It can't touch Japan, I think, because in many ways I still see Korea as a peasant culture all nouveau riche. This is harsh, but it is my feeling at this point. I do have an affection for it still and acknowledge that Russia was a land of serfs, maybe still is, for such a long time and produced great art, so the argument is far from won... |
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Epicurus
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 5:39 am Post subject: |
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| D.D. wrote: |
1. Korea sucks
2. 20-30% of classes are cancelled.
3. co-teachers
4. bus and taxi to work.
5.Korea is boring and people not so nice.
6. short holidays |
I've done my share of "Korean-bashing" on this forum so could never be considered an apologist.
but I'd take issue with many of your perceptions.
actually, I think the "Korea sucks" and "boring" adjectives are largely related to two things:
a) language barrier
b) cultural barriers/perceptions
c) where you live
the first can be overcome with a lot of determination and effort the 2nd is a tougher nut to crack.
I actually think being in one's 20's in Korea can be a great time - the world is your oyster kind of thing. You're able to enjoy the Korean emphasis on youth and youth culture without being subject to their stupid age based hierarchies because you're a foreigner.
I think Korea can "suck" and be "boring" for people after 30, because in Korean eyes, you're supposed to be married and boring and life is supposed to suck, you're now "living" for your kids.
(on a sidenote, I'm amazed at these news stories about the very low birthrate in Korea where here around my appt I am constantly surrounded by young kids.. I saw them very rarely in my loft/condo yuppie living area stateside)
I don't mind cancelled classes. Means I can take a nap 
I also walk to school, it's about 4 minutes
(yes commuting WOULD suck)
and I have to honestly say that for the most part the Koreans I have dealt with have all been nothing but NICE to me.... and polite and frankly, even "understanding".
I'd be a bald faced liar to claim otherwise.
of course,re the ones who might think of me in bad/aggressive terms?
I have the same answer to them as I would to such people in my own country.
A combo of two mere letters. An F and a U. |
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marlow
Joined: 06 Feb 2005
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| Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:09 am Post subject: |
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1. stagnant pay
2. cutting out pay for camps
3. reducing overtime pay
4. lack of respect (generally speaking we are out of the hierarchy) |
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Easter Clark
Joined: 18 Nov 2007
Location: Hiding from Yie Eun-woong
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| Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Epicurus wrote: |
I have an immense interest in learning Japanese. Shogun was a big part in this perception/interest on my part.
I have zero interest in learning Korean. I know this isn't "right", and I should feel differently.
any suggestions on helping me overcome this? (I'm actually being serious) |
Move to Japan. (I'm actually being serious) |
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