Korean Job Discussion Forums

[abigolblackman]

2 more rants...

Rant 1:
This week is the 1st and 2nd year testing period. On Monday, school was normal. I went to teach 3rd year but my co-teacher didn't show up (as has been for the past month) but the students told me there was no class. They say that it's a 보강 (substitute) class and that I can go. I don't believe them but then another teacher shows up. She looks at me and says (in Korean), "Oh, you're here?! Ok, you teach them, I'm out." So it seems that I really didn't need to teach them but I was stuck. I asked the students if all 3rd grade classes were like this this week and they said yes. I don't teach the next 3rd grade class, no one complains. Cool.

The next day I don't go to the 3rd grade class, then 10 minutes after class starts, a students come to my office and tells me to go to class. Peeved, I go. My head co-teacher is standing outside and reams me about always being "late" and not respecting her or the students. She demands a reason why I am late. She comes to the conclusions that I should not wear ear-buds or headphones at school anymore so I can hear the bell.

On Wednesday, the vice-principal gets on me about being late to the class. I tell them that I am very confused about which class I should and should not go to. They just tell me not to be late. I roll my eyes and peace.

Today, I go to the 3rd grade class only to find what? THERE ARE NO 3RD GRADERS IN THE ENTIRE SCHOOL! They all got sent home since they aren't doing anything. Did anyone bother to tell me? I saw the vice-principal and the head co-teacher this morning. Twice.

Rant 2:

I haven't seen one of my office co-teacher in 2 weeks. When I do see her she goes off in the opposite direction. Why? When she attempted to criticize my teaching/integrity, I flipped it on her.

Actually, I was willing to listen to her criticisms of me, because she may have been right about somethings. Thing is, I don't take things face value. I ask for proof or examples, of which she could not provide. I then proceed to give her examples of the criticisms she was trying to put on me. Yeah, she didn't like that. I ended up proving that she was an inconsiderate person and not as innocent/perfect as she thought she was, at which point she left the room saying what we all know and love, "You don't understand me/Korea." (ie: You're right and I'm pissed.)

Whatever. Thing is, I must have really made her lose face (in a room where only we work...) First she would come in the office and leave ASAP. Usually she works until 9pm, but now is out the door at 4:30pm sharp. She has not come into the office this whole week.

You know what I say to all of this? Sweet. I got my own office.

abigolblackman

[jvalmer]

That's another thing I forgot to mention. I think most middle and high schools send their 3rd graders home after lunch this time of year. So even less classes to worry about. So a higher chance of bumping into students that yell out high to you, or scream your name, run towards you and say high (depends on the gender). When your stumbling around downtown sober or drunk.

[dirving]

That's a tough situation to endure for sure. This harkens back to what I learned after being in country for a week: Koreans are never wrong, but we expats are always in the wrong.

Try to remember that you're not in the wrong and that these people at work are being petty.

Take good care!

DI

[Captain Obvious]

That's why you should always check with people at the beginning of each day. You never know what might change. Respect is all about how you present yourself.

[abigolblackman]

@jvalmer

You actually reminded me of rant number 3.

Rant 3:
I explained the soju smell earlier, but anyways, a result of that incident is the VP told me to never drink again. She tells me this on Wednesday.

Monday: The asst. VP (for lack of a better word) gives me some special soju to drink @ school. In front of the VP. [5p]

Tuesday: End of the year party. Every teacher comes to take a shot of soju with me. @ school. In front of the VP. [1p]

Wednesday: 5 minutes after telling me to never drink again, I leave for home and the head soccer coach, while coaching a practice, invites me to go drinking right then and there. He was gonna stop practice to go drinking with me [I respectfully declined]. He does this at least twice a week. @ school. That's right, in front of the VP.

abigolblackman

[Captain Obvious]

[The Gipkik]

Sounds to me like Korea might not be a good fit for you. I don't think you'll find Japan to be qualitatively a lot different. Most Asian countries I've taught in expect you to approach things with a lot of grace and tact. I'm not catching this in your posts. You sound like a bull in a china shop. It's not fair, but thems is the breaks.

[abigolblackman]

@The Gipkik

I've lived in Japan for 2 years and will probably go back after my stint in Korea.

I didn't come here to teach but I have to make a living. The things I do outside the school are my reasons for being here. I'm committed to my hobbies, have a great dating life, and enjoy my time. It's just that I have to be at a school for 8 hours a day that is getting me.

If you are saying that I am not graceful or tactful...well I don't know how to respond to that. You can only judge me by my rants [this week being especially bad]. Venting here has helped me decide what's best for me and I'm making that change.

Thing is, I know a lot of really cool Koreans that are not teachers [and only one legit, down to earth teacher]. I just can't believe ever single teacher/teaching facility I meet is like this, inside and outside the classroom. I went on one date with a public school teacher and one date was more than enough. I felt like I brought work and all the baggage with me to Hongdae.

My perspective: People are people, despite age/sex/ethnic background/etc. No matter how you were raised, there is a basic level of respect we should all have for each other. Or, if you don't respect me, that's cool, just tell me from the beginning and I'll know how to deal with you.

If I sound negative or that I hate Korea, I don't mean to convey that. I do hate this particular school and it's staff.

abigolblackman

[Triban]

Yeah dude, last time I went out with my faculty they were like:

"Sleep on the Principal's floor"

"I don't have my teaching materials or a change of clothes."

"It's Okay. Korea no homo."

"I will smell like soju."

"It's okay."

"I'm catching the bus."

"No, it's okay."

"안 녕 !"

[The Gipkik]