Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rookieglobetrotter]

Right now I am fuming that I can't even think straight.

I work in a PS in a traditional province and am in month 10 of a year contract. In my coteacher evaluations about my coteachers I gave them above average scores (which of course they saw), but I heard that they gave me a "0" score although I've jumped thru every hoop they and my contract asked me to do. This will prove problematic since I want to stay another year and teach in a PS here with my girlfriend.

I have done everything they asked me to do including teaching all classes mostly by myself the way they wanted (70% txtbk) and doing a 50 person open class out of the blue. I think the problems started when they asked me to come in when I was taking a sick day (had a bad flu) and work till 7-8 pm on the large open class teaching demo. I wasn't too happy, told them they didn't care about me, and did a good job on the demo anyway. I think another reason why they gave me a bad score was because I declined their renewal offer. The Korean way is if you have a job, you shouldn't try to get the same one somewhere else.

Right now I am unsure whether to battle (send out emails everywhere to try to tell the truth) or just let things be, try hagwons and maybe ask my 2nd school to be my main referrer. My question is, is this possible? When you apply for other jobs, is it required by law to list this bad PS job? Or am I just screwed in trying to get another job here close to my GF?

Right now I can't even think straight, advice please!

[Fishead soup]

Welcome to Korea. Getting stabbed in the back at public schools is popular. In future refuse to fill out an evaluation unless it confidential.
If you want to get another public school job talk to one of the Kyopos who work for the POE

[andrewchon]

Yeah, you declined the re-newal. That's a big fat zero.
You chose LOVE before JOB. Your family has dis-owned you.
At least you still have your girl-friend.
Something will happen, and there'll be a happy ending.
It always does in a Korean melodrama.

Merry Christmas!

[rookieglobetrotter]

I dont know any Kyopos in my province Gyeongnam. Should I talk to them about it? Besides the open class, I have never talked to them. I am trying to move to another non-EPIK PS job in a different province. The way I found out about the bad eval, was that this coordinator, I think she's Kyopo told me I was given a 0, no a 50 a 0!!! I mean wouldnt you be fired halfway through the year if you did a 0 job?! If I knew that, I would have let them teach the whole class instead of me doing it all myself!

[CentralCali]

Question for the OP: Why are you submitting evaluations on your co-teachers?

[rookieglobetrotter]

okay any positive help here with some good advice on what I can do NOW. I've dealt with the welcome to Korea stuff every day for 10 mos. I should get a cookie for gutting it out every week M-F and not pulling a runner like I should have 9 months ago! I just thought they would have the decency to say, "he adequately fulfilled the duties as his contract stipulated", just satisfactory man! A 0 is ridic, do I have anything to protect myself? Proactive comments please!

[Ramen]

[rookieglobetrotter]

Central Cali, I am getting micromanaged like no other here. I don't know anything until a minute before it happens. Two weeks ago out of the blue from the coteach responsible for this mess- here is eval form, fill it out, give it to me, POE wants it by lunchtime. There is sun or rain clouds from the senior coteacher here, cause no one else speaks English. I guess she decided to burn me after smiling and acting like Miss Sunshine whenever she's around me.

[rookieglobetrotter]

The coordinator who told me is honest and has no reason to lie. She sided with me a little bit, but she has to deal with the bureacracy too, so if its my word or a Korean, I am not sure she's going to help me. I am praying she does as she is conferring with her staff now as I am trying to move to her province.

I am just wondering if I should make a huge dossier knocking down their every claim and even fighting back and highlighting their mistakes. Or try to talk to them, or my second school in order to change their opinion.

Will this effect me if I try for hagwons, do I have to list this contract?

[andrewchon]

I'd say take the higher road.
Pretend you don't know about the shafting they gave you.
Finish the contract.
Get a hagwon job. Try PS few years later if you want.
Your GF is the most important thing in your life, is she not?

[rookieglobetrotter]

yeah sorry on my slow response, I have afterschool club now. Thanks andrewchon and everyone for the good advice. I have never applied to a hagwon before, how do I do this and not have them call my previous employer? Should I list my second school as my main school if they ask why I am in Korea? I am kinda lost now. OK shite, gotta teach, thanks all.

[DosEquisXX]

This country can be so petty sometimes.

I took the smart route and told them that I wasn't coming back before they could even make up their minds.

[blue.sky]

I wouldn't worry about bad references while looking for a hakwon gig. I've never had any of my references called in 6 years. I've done the PS rounds before and I sympathise with your plight - but unfortunately your employer has lost face due to your decisions so you're screwed.

As a previous poster said, I'm not sure sure how much weight a 0 carries since I'm sure even the most anally retentive big cheese knows the meaninglessness of a 100. Just try for another school and play ignorant/horrified/oblivious

[JesussaviorofmySeoul]

When I refused to renew for personal reasons one principal treated me like garbage, the other was fine about it. Sounds like you are dealing with revenge. Go to your principal and vice principal and talk to them. Tell them you want to be dealt with professionally because you want to continue teaching in Korea. Lots of times coteachers and vp's run the show and principals are oblivioius. Once my coteacher tried to hold up my severance and I told her I wanted to talk to the principal about it. I got what I wanted and the coteacher was mad.

You should stand up for yourself.

[nautilus]