Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MitchMartin]

What are some suggestions for staying the good graces of your principal and vice-principals at your school? I guess this is restricted to public schools, but since we're dealing with people skills, other bosses could apply.

Specifically in Korea of course. I've never had a problem with my principal or bosses at my school, but I hear a lot of people have issues.

Besides saying "good morning" when you arrive, what else can a NT do to continually create good impressions?

[Squire]

Join in at volleyball if you play, go out with other teachers whenever it is requested of you.

There's a way of saying 'anyeong haseyo' to bosses, I might start using that this week. I need to score as many points as possible against my coteacher

[sing81]

In my experience, these people are rude and never do what they say or should. I only respect those who respect me. Teaching, fufilling ones duties, and being respectful should be enough, but it's not they are looking for someone to degrade. For example, they needed me to clean the entrance way to our classroom, but they couldn't simply ask and I agree. They needed to come and inspect that part before and after it's been clean without any complaint from me, then say 'big boss" and "super big boss" is coming and I need to clean it again. Mind you there are only 70 out of 150 students.

[West Coast Tatterdemalion]

Soju. Buy lots of soju.

[sallymonster]

Always attend the school's special events, field trips, and teachers' dinners.

[ThingsComeAround]

sallymonster @ squire +1

Also, if you have a talent (computers, basketball, soccer) by George get out and share it with your students. Better than kissing up, and you are admired by students, faculty, and parents

[winterfall]

I disagree with most the posters. If they think your competent, they're love you. If they think your crap they're make you feel their hate. VP and Principal is like the end of the line job. They were good but not good enough to get moved to the district office. They don't want any of their subordinates ruining their image

[schwa]

[NohopeSeriously]

My former VP is this Mr. Don't-you-ever-f**king-bother-me-but-worship-me type of person. He won few awards in the past. The principal calls him "one of the best 2nd generation of Korean teachers". But he was unpopular among the female teachers and the parents. He completely ignored and hated the two previous NETs including myself.

I learned one important thing. I don't know if it helps. The best way to see whether the VP is an a**hole or not is to see how the parents think about the VP themselves.

Bad example of a horrible VP: My former VP offended some parents during this year's first semester because he was too busy to choose a new NET of his liking and he didn't know how the funding works for NETs. Eventually 6-8 kids moved to the next school 2 months ago. It's already a small school and it wouldn't get any stable fundings for next year now that the VP royally offended the whole school district.

This bastard along his pet co-teacher (now gone to another school) should go to hell for offending teachers, some NETs, and parents.

[riley]

Stay off their radar as much as possible. If you pop up on their radar, make it happen for positive reasons.

If you're visible to them (high possibility of crossing paths often) look nice and professional. That way anything they hear will either complement their impression of you or will be somewhat negated by their impression of you.

I haven't seen gift giving or other similar actions being especially helpful for a NET.

The basic thing to remember is that a Principal is like an elephant. They're big, hard to stop, dangerous when rogue and can squash you flat. If shit happens in your office between you and coworkers, don't try to go to the principal (or worse, over his/her head) without being ready for some negative repercussions. Principals want a smooth operation, you coming to them with complaints makes it not smooth, so, squash! You going above them, embarrasses them and that makes them angry. So if you need to do that, be ready for trouble and make sure you have a big enough gun for the elephant.

[Fishead soup]

[warmachinenkorea]

Give a little more tongue when kissing their butts.