Korean Job Discussion Forums

[alphalfa]

A technique public schools here like to use often, it seems. This applies to both NET's and KT's from what I've seen in my time here.

For NET's who do not teach the 22hrs -as per their contract- the PS (dictated by the IMOE/SMOE) comes up with additional classes for the NET such as *teaching KET's twice a week after 4pm, *teaching administration staff and regular school teachers once a week at[after 4pm]. Both groups, in my case, have not showed up. Now, with little time remaining in the school semester my head teacher has decided to try using coercive persuasion on the KET's and the admin/regular staff to START attending! I have indicated in the attendance file for both group�s their absences on each of the days I was to meet them. *waste of time IMHO* Four thirty is when I finish each work day[except when I have afterschool-PAID]. Staying after 430pm in an unpaid situation is not in line with what the work contract says. I feel like I�m being used.
My point: don�t insist on the NET having a class when class members
don�t have the time.

Now, with winter vacation approaching and the schools concern about NET�s desk-warming during this time they [IMOE>PS>NET] have come up with the idea of having NET�s plan lessons and teach a group of parents. It seems the IMOE has no clue. I told my head teacher I was not interested in having history repeat itself- they come the first day followed by many absences. They�re trying to persuade me to do this class-telling me rather than politely asking me whether I�d like to-but I refuse. I feel like I�m being used.
My point: don�t tell me to do any �new� class and immediately
afterwards ask me �How about?�

Also, the head teacher suggested in a persuasive manner I meet with the KET�s in the afternoons for 2 weeks [Jan11~22]. The pattern the KET�s have displayed in the past is bound to be repeated. I told my head teacher I was not interested in meeting with JUST one KET- as it appears will happen. I suggested to the head teacher that she ask the other KET�s about this plan. I mentioned so and so teacher by name but the head teacher was cool[negative sense] to my mentioning a certain KET by name. I got a strong sense there is some animosity between the head teacher[a woman] and this KET[a younger woman]. I�m tired of the �head games�. The other KET�s have shown no interest in wanting to practice English with me for almost two years now. History clearly suggests they will not suddenly have an interest in speaking English with me now. I don�t dislike any of them but I do dislike the manner in which they go about things.
My point: show [decent] interest in speaking English with me,
otherwise don�t waste my time.

Lastly, the school used coercive persuasion to get me to do an afterschool class �with three Ss. Initially, there was only one Ss but the school forced two Ss to attend. The school got upset when I said no at the beginning. Three Ss from a school of 750+Ss ..gsssh! This method of coercive persuasion extends to now asking me to �doctor the attendance book� for such class. It appears from the �new� attendance list that there are 19 Ss. Make it �look� good they say. Unbelievable!
Coercive persuasion, excuses, gossip, lies, � it�s all here.
I�m out of here soon [Mar2/10]

[nomad-ish]

while it does suck to have them create "busy-work" kind of classes for us, we can't say no to them if we aren't teaching our 22 hours/week. it doesn't matter if it's the school's term time or vacation; it's not our vacation time. i don't see how it's coercive persuasion - it's in the contract.

also, if you're doing an afterschool class (therefore getting paid for it), you were well within your rights to say no. i had a similar situation at my last school (i said no thanks to my co-teacher and then i had to have a meeting with my coteacher and VP about it, and then another meeting with my co-teacher, VP, and principal). it was awkward as hell and i'm sure i lost some brownie points, but it is possible to say no and have them listen to you.

as for doctoring the attendance list, it sounds dodgy but it ensures that you are paid for the extra classes.