Korean Job Discussion Forums

[noright85]

The 'staff room' at my school is occupied solely by foreign teachers and although I'm one of the newest teachers here, I can't help but see their attitudes towards the school, Korean teachers, and the profession in general as an utter disgrace.

You are here to teach and by that logic, you are a teacher. Not a foreigner with a personal agenda.

I'm just sick of the complaints about everything. You have to be flexible in this profession or you'll perish. It's that simple.

...and the worst part is that they are all certified teachers in their home countries.

Do you have any stories similar stories?

[tanklor1]

I understand your attitude towards your co-workers. I consider myself a teacher before all else as well. But I have been through some seriously shady crap during my time and I understand why some people become jaded.

My advice is don't judge them and try to do what you feel is right.

[Kaypea]

The staff room is for 'itchin' & moanin'. I haven't been in one yet that wasn't, and I've been in... two of 'em!

My Korean isn't fluent, but I know that 90% of the time, the other teachers aren't singing praises to students, management, or school life in general. Still, I think they're kind and effective, professional teachers. Students come in to talk and visit quite often.

Maybe you can try to switch the conversation to positive things. Like, talk about stuff you really like to do in the classroom, or how cool some of the students are.

[Kaypea]

Oops 1

Damn school computer

[Kaypea]

oops 2

[engrishprease]

Stay positive. It's hard to be a "good" teacher when you're an unhappy, miserable person.

[Hotwire]

Be too flexible at a private academy and you will be walked all over, seen it lots of times and perhaps so have your co-workers?

[noright85]

I'm staying positive. I'm doing well as a teacher. I enjoy what I do, the kids, and the Korean teachers thus far. The complaints that these teachers have seem so petty. It's just disheartening to think that these people will someday teach kids in their countries and still complain about their jobs.

[oldfatfarang]

My dad was a teacher for 25+ years. He told me that he only went into the staff room a dozen or so times in all those years. He, too, couldn't stand the moaning.

I've always thought teachers were so unhappy because they are, generally, of above average intelligence. However, most don't have the get-up-and-go to do anything with it - so they teach.

However, teaching for nearly 5 years has changed my opinion somewhat. Teaching in Korea is fun, stressful, chaotic, and low paid (all make an ideal recipe for moaning).

Good luck out there.

[thegadfly]

Teachers' workrooms everywhere have the same problem, but one thing I have noticed is that the best teachers (well, the ones I judge to be the best, by my own observations) generally complain less than average. The complainers tend to be folks that are not quite as good at their jobs....

Certainly, everyone complains at one point or another, and things happen that are indeed worth raising a ruckus over, but the low-level, constant whine that one hears comes from the folks that are sub-par at their jobs....

...so don't let the inadequate folks that bring the vibe down mess with your mojo....

[ippy]

haha! another whining anti-whiner.

[noright85]

I agree.

Everyone does complain at one point or another, but you need to know where and when to pick your battles.

"If you want to pay me more than the other teachers that have free time, I will take my work home to do it."

That is just an unprofessional request especially when we are all given an hour and a half preparation period everyday. Most teachers take this time as a "break" and leave the school.

The fact of the matter is that most teachers should have to take their work home with them if they can't finish prepping at school. However, working with kinder and elementary students, I don't see any preparation time taking longer than what the school gives us on a daily basis.

[Hotwire]

^^

If you're given all of the same benefits and supprt you'd get at public school back home, sure.

When you get 10 days paid vacation a year, a so-so salary with little career development, administrative support or prospects AND you are working for a business that makes money off of your efforts - HELL NO! You want more work (which you make more money from) - you pay more money to me the worker.

You dig?

[thegadfly]

[ThingsComeAround]