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my VP and Principal are coming to watch my class

 
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ippy



Joined: 25 Aug 2009

PostPosted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 5:11 pm    Post subject: my VP and Principal are coming to watch my class Reply with quote

Normal right? Run of the mill stuff in korea? Never happened in my four years in japan, but i cant help shake the feeling that theyre coming to assess it just in time for the next round of NETs in March. I havent done owt wrong, im not even a bad teacher (im certainly a noisy teacher though Smile), but its niggling my brain just because, as i say, 4 years in japan and never had this type of 'hands on' supervision except for open school days. Basically, is it normal in korea?
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antoniothegreat



Joined: 28 Aug 2005
Location: Yangpyeong

PostPosted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 5:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

dont worry, just do a good job.

is it normal?
no.
is it abonormal?
no.

it happens, sometimes for no reason at all, sometimes it means you might get canned, sometimes it means they really like you.

it's kind of like saying "the principal said 'yes.'" it really means nothing without the context.
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ippy



Joined: 25 Aug 2009

PostPosted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 5:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

its okay, im a pretty good teacher anyway and have a nice lesson prep'd and good to go, plus its with a nice class. Its just that the timing is so close to the end of the school year that it makes me a little cynical. They hired me because the last person quit at the start of september, so i came to korea in october. I have this sudden feeling that they made a decision to see how it went, and then decide if they want to bring a new guy in with a proper start and end day instead of being burdened with having to recontract me in october.
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djsmnc



Joined: 20 Jan 2003
Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

PostPosted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 5:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You must have majorly screwed up, which is evident by the fact that you keep rationalizing that you are a good teacher.
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ippy



Joined: 25 Aug 2009

PostPosted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 6:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

djsmnc wrote:
You must have majorly screwed up, which is evident by the fact that you keep rationalizing that you are a good teacher.


that could actually be the reason why i find it bizarre :/ If i wasnt a good teacher id be thinking "oh, i probably screwed up, so thats why im having the principal and vice principal observing my class".

ETA: decided to ask why they were observing the class and referenced this thread and people suggesting it wasnt usual as my basis to see if i had done something wrong. My co-teacher said it was normal for the school and that all teachers are visited once a term by the principal. She said most schools should have those, but they dont. Our principal is more proactive apparently. Ah well, they were talking about my winter vacation too before this, so i guess they wouldnt even bother talking about it if they were planning on canning me - theyd do it after the winter camps (unless of course the school plans on doing a runner, and wants to make sure im out of the country when it leaves) Smile
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The Gipkik



Joined: 30 Mar 2009

PostPosted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 7:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ippy wrote:
She said most schools should have those, but they dont. Our principal is more proactive apparently.


If it's an elementary school, then don't be surprised. Every school runs according to its own peculiar time clock. At my school, not only has my principal popped in several times just to watch and smile, but she's joined in a couple of times during sing alongs, which was quite hilarious.
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loyfriend



Joined: 03 Aug 2009

PostPosted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 8:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

After working for hogwans, and being on video camera for all the parenst to watch.

Then before coming to Korea, working as a counselor, having the state auditors come in at random to watch you, or having someone your training watch you.

Having a coteacher all year in class watching you.

They can watch me all they want. Just try not to be nervous or direct to much attention there way. Do what you normely do and you be fine.
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gillod



Joined: 02 Sep 2009

PostPosted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 8:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My princiapl and VP do this about once a semester. They come in for about 5 minutes and then leave. Shrug. Just tell the kids so they know to behave.
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wallythewhale



Joined: 12 Mar 2009

PostPosted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had supervisors from my district office along with basically the whole school come and watch me teach a class. Since you mentioned that you have a good class to work with during their visit, you should be fine. Just make sure that the kids are involved, you're involved, and make it seem like it's fun. Piece of cake.
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ippy



Joined: 25 Aug 2009

PostPosted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ah its all good, i was only anxious because i had the weekend to dwell on it. Asked the question and really stressed that if i have done anything wrong to warrant an assessment they shoudl tell me, but was assured it really was just a normal run of the mill thing at this school. It just happens to be our turn to be watched. I assume it will pretty much be the whole 5 minute thing. Theyll pop in around 10 minutes after the lesson starts, see whats up, then head out again.
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djsmnc



Joined: 20 Jan 2003
Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

PostPosted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 12:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

ippy wrote:
ah its all good, i was only anxious because i had the weekend to dwell on it. Asked the question and really stressed that if i have done anything wrong to warrant an assessment they shoudl tell me, but was assured it really was just a normal run of the mill thing at this school. It just happens to be our turn to be watched. I assume it will pretty much be the whole 5 minute thing. Theyll pop in around 10 minutes after the lesson starts, see whats up, then head out again.


Sounds pretty run of the mill, and I am sure you are a good teacher Smile
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DrugstoreCowgirl



Joined: 08 May 2009
Location: Daegu-where the streets have no name

PostPosted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 1:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Back in Oct I had an open class for the principal, vp and every single teacher who wanted to come watch. And they videotaped the whole thing. There were about 20 people watching.
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DosEquisXX



Joined: 04 Nov 2009

PostPosted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 1:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah, they wanted to see my class as well. They were a new administration and were making their mark by busting every teacher's balls and hounding them with absurd amounts of work to be done in very short periods of time.

It seems that they do this to find a reason to get rid of you. The new administration never liked me to begin with. I have no idea why. They wanted nothing to do with me and just wanted to bring in their own person and make their mark. They're not doing me any favors and I'm leaving the job at the end of my contract. They wanted to have a meeting with me after the open class but didn't show up lol. Had nothing to complain about I guess.
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son of coco



Joined: 14 Mar 2008

PostPosted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 5:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My principal turned up a couple of times in the middle of classes (which was fine) and I think he turned up to my open class, I had only be at the school for 6 weeks by that stage so I can't remember who was there and who wasn't. My VP didn't come to classes at any stage. He was pretty funny though and quite relaxed. Unless it came to watching DVD's in class...

On a bit of a side note, can anyone explain why we have to do an open class to get another contract yet if you're a first-timer who may not have ever taught before you just turn up and start? Seems slightly silly to me.
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