Korean Job Discussion Forums

winterfall · Joined: 21 May 2009

I was in one of the main teacher's office and I recently got moved to a smaller office. I don't really care, it doesn't affect my work one bit. But my new office manager lectured me today for a good hr that "I'm not social enough and that needs to change"

I have no idea what the hell that means since I already do more than 90% of the FTs at public schools. Not only in lesson prep, building up the school's program but also going on all the teacher day stuff, dinners, class field trips, etc. The rate I do these things are maybe once a month or once every 2 months. Anything more than that is just torture, it's just too tiring to spend so much time with people who can't speak any English at all. I'm not giving up all my free time to hang out with them. And I'm not gonna let the quality of my lessons go down the drain cause I spent all my time with my coworkers around the water cooler

Well the reason for my post is that this is so bizarre, I have no idea how I should take this. If it was from just any teacher, yea whatever. But office managers are usually the mouth piece for the administration. Its even stranger because I have standing arrangement with the school to stay as long as I want. And with the SMOE budget cuts, we've already gotten notice that when I leave, the school won't get another FT. It's already been decided, I saw the notice in Korean. So the school is very keen on getting me to stay

But if this is what I think is, "You need to get more involved with the school" which translates into "Your workload just tripled"

Any thoughts?

grandpa · Joined: 19 Oct 2009

Maybe they're just seeing how much work they can get out of you before you say, "No", or go crazy.

winterfall · Joined: 21 May 2009

Horangi Munshin · Joined: 06 Apr 2003 Location: Busan

Probably BS.

You are expected to go on school outings so I don't think just turning up earns you many brownie points. Maybe more water cooler time? Or refer to my first comment.

winterfall · Joined: 21 May 2009

Vagabundo · Joined: 26 Aug 2010

haha, under those guidelines, I'd be one of the most anti "social" net's around.

but define "office manager".

is this person an actual teacher? a Dept head? of that dept office (that's how it'd be at my school). The only dept head that matters to you is yours, though of course it's better to keep a cordial, if distant relationship with the others.

the only manager of administration at my school is the guy who's in charge of the school admin staff (the ones who handle your paycheck, etc and do stuff around the school)

you need to find out who this guy is, and what is it that he wants. (exactly)

until you get those answers, just SNIP

if it were me, I'd have already asked him after his "lecture" what do you mean by that exactly? since I already fulfill all of my duties? (and well)

N.B. this may be a single guy with a singular particular view, which matters not a whit. You may also be in the position of being "penalized" for your ethnic background.

Horangi Munshin · Joined: 06 Apr 2003 Location: Busan

First comment was it's probably BS.

Radius · Joined: 20 Dec 2009

Whatever....Just keep doing what your doing. It's impossible to please people sometimes.

winterfall · Joined: 21 May 2009

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Is he a drinker?

That's probably what he's talking about.

If it were me I'd say yes sir, and then go on as you are.

If he brings it up again, ask him what he means by social. Until he can explain what he means exactly there's not much you can do anyway.

Junior · Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Location: the eye

Vagabundo · Joined: 26 Aug 2010

this guy sounds like he has no real power, most certainly not over you.

talk to your dept head when he comes back.

I'm in the main teacher office, so the vp is always numero uno cuz he's there. . though there is another guy.. we call him "Third". He's not a dept head, but we know he's third in rank after p and vp, hence the nickname.

he may be this office manager you refer to, but I think his purview is more than just that particular office.

ThingsComeAround · Joined: 07 Nov 2008

Do you know Korean?

I'd use the little Korean known (or try not to show too much) and make small talk. Say hello in the mornings, goodbye in the afternoon, and that's it.

Or he wants to drink with you

Or he has a management problem (like 80% of K-managers have)

Artris · Joined: 09 Jun 2009

I remember when I first started working at a PS I used to walk in and out without saying hello/goodbye each day. About 3-4 days in a co-teacher ran out after me and explained that I should say greet everyone when I leave/enter each day.

I got the impression that it is very rude to do otherwise. Maybe, if you're not already doing this, it could help.

NYC_Gal 2.0 · Joined: 10 Dec 2010

Definitely greet everyone with a smile. It doesn't hurt to buy a bag of oranges of other snacky things for the teachers' lounge and the admin office every once in a while. I've recently taken up baking my own bread (I haven't in years, and used to use a breadmaker, so this is a fun new hobby) so bring in treats for my coworkers rather often. This week I brought in "Mexican calzones" (homemade refried beans and cheese inside a whole wheat bread pocket.