Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jen_blue]

Hello

I work for public school in Korea, this is my first year of teaching.

I received some information from my programme co-ordinator that seems to indicate that the school may not offer me the opportunity to renew my contract with them; "at the moment, as things stand it would be difficult to for the school to renew your contract" and that they were "surprised that I took so long to settle in"

Admittedly there have been a number of issues in settling in; controlling classes, a least one insecure co-t and dealing with that, another who allows all sorts of stuff to occur in his class and only now are we at the stage I feel happy we are managing to teach something, discipline issues when I teach alone (only 2 classes a week), and a huge misunderstanding which was completely my main co-t's fault but caused a lot of upset (for me) and prompted repeated calls to the VP to try to iron it out (unsuccessfully).

However, I've recently been commended for my work during winter camp (no actual assessment, due to numbers they had to cancel traditional winter camp and offer free classes) and received a gift from the VP : ) and there is an acknowledgement that I have "settled in" although this was the extent of the feedack I've received in terms of what the issue might relate too.

He claimed to be keen to find out my side of the story and said the problem could be with the senior staff although then went on to refute much of what I said; the staff aren't there to improve my social life, I should be full of ideas and a range of worksheets to offer on the off chance a co-t asks (I'm not given any autonomy in teaching and ideas are not appreciated).

After the holidays (this coming week??) the school is getting a new Principle, VP and I will be getting a new handler co-t and another co-t so the school is likely to be a completely different place quite soon. I pointed this out the co-ordinator asking whether this could work in my favour and he said it was possible I could "turn it around" however, I would need to show a "clear change."

I'm flabbergasted to be honest, as I thought I was finally finding a nice steady plateau which would see me through the coming year....

I need some advice on what things I can do to alter things (or at least get me a letter of recommendation so that I can go elsewhere in SK).

I'm going to get something nice for my main co-t who is leaving, I was thinking a nice pen and also for the Principle (who is retiring) and the VP - ideas appreciated.

A fruit basket or similar ? for the teachers room (although its not shared by all staff) but its start for Solar New Year.

I've already arranged thank you posters with the Grade 4's for the other co-t who is leaving but will sort something with Grade 3 too on Monday.

I'm thinking some sort of welcome gift for the incoming people too. And use all my powers of delicacy in dealing with the new co-t; I've found this successful in the past, this has worked very well, the children seemed to like etc but not push anything too much.

Anything else?

[young_clinton]

Perhaps the school you're working at is competitive, or maybe you just had bad luck in getting a school run by turkeys. Try to get the contract renewed if you can. The fact that you stayed on for the entire contract probably means you'll be able to get another public school job in Korea somewhere else unless things get really competitive.

[Chaparrastique]

They deliberately hire only the least experienced, least qualified people they can find (rejecting all the old hands) and then enjoy criticizing when things are less than 100%.

[EZE]

I wouldn't buy gifts for co-workers if I didn't like them, but that's just me.

Anytime there's drama, whether it's with students or co-workers, it's going to hurt your standing. I think most first year teachers are going to have issues controlling the classroom for at least a few weeks. I know I did. I'm guessing the problems with co-workers that had to go to the higher-ups to iron out is the main issue.

But you're completing your contract and I'm sure you've gained a lot of valuable experience. It sounds like a good school to leave, actually, if you don't have a good work environment. I know it can feel uncomfortable to leave one workplace and move on to another, especially when you're young. When you're at your next school, I think you'll be happier and I think you'll be glad things worked out the way they did.

Good luck.

[schwa]

I was going to respond to the OP but I couldnt have worded it any better than EZE just did. My thoughts exactly.

[earthquakez]

[jen_blue]

My school isn't competitive; the majority of the children will never leave Korea, they are not rich but also not poor either, just kind of the average Korean child who will end up working an average job! I would prefer public school and I am in a prime location so I am (was?) willing to fight for it.

Its certainly been the case that I lack experience and that there have been issues with various teachers bringing up issues, while at the same time refusing to offer suggestions or be helpful. This seems to be the way in Korea though and some people are lucky and others not so....

I felt that I had landed lucky in many ways; good location, reasonable school (once you know how to handle the kids), allowed control over the heating, co-t who speaks pretty good - excellent English (although she is a control freak). The last teacher (who stayed 2 years) at this school was qualified teacher, american and very keen on all things Korean so I guess I am a bit of a contrast!

I guess I think it is partly my fault, I am a "worrier" as they say and am not a fun, fun, fun time teacher but more knowledgeable and academic (although I have no teaching quals), I've had MANY issues whilst being here; I was mugged in Iteawon on a 4 day weekend and had all my cards and purse stolen / locked out of my apartment on a weekend - the keypad malfunctioned and so I had to bother my co-t on the weekend / plus there have been an endless array of issues that have come up in terms of lesson planning / trying to get a life together.

I don't have a great deal of contact with the staff, they leave me to my own devices apart from when we teach together and occasional staff meetings / lesson planning stuff.

I guess you're right, I can't change their perception of me. I hoped I could though as it would certainly be easier to stay at this school / this apartment. So I will do exactly as I feel I want too and try and make things pleasing to me as possible in the circumstances.

Please note: I am not that young, due to circumstances beyond my control I spent much of my teenage / young adult years caring for the needs of others and so this was an opportunity to do something for me.

Any good recommendations on recruiters?

Can I still be employed by a public school? I'm not sure I fancy braving the world of the Hogwon.

Thanks for your advice and for not telling me how it totally is my fault / I should have a personality transplant : (

[happyinhenan]

They aren't 'warning' you, they are telling you. I would be looking for something else for next year. And that is what they are doing with you, forewarning you of your future.

As for the main co-teacher - he wouldn't get a pen off me, he would get a two fingered salute, you can get him what you want, you won't be staying.

I remember I got a nice, officially stamped letter of recommendation off my last school, didn't stop my witch co-teacher from putting my arse on the KFTRA blacklist though, that piece of paper isn't much help.

[Coltronator]

Jen, how many more months do you have on your contract?

[ippy]

Usually its one of two things.

One of your coteachers (probably your supervisor) just doesnt get on with you. This one is kind of a hard fix. Youve just got to be in a position where you guys are chatting as friends do without also bothering them. Sometimes they make teachers do the english classes. I had an incredibly difficult coteacher a while back. I found that those chats really helped us bond. Also, if you help them out for a demo class (prepping materials, offering activities, running activities) you always end up with a bit of love. Failing that, theres always meeting after school or /shudder, turning up at their church (yes, did that, and no, 100% devout atheist).

If its not that it just could be that the VP, or head teacher or your coteachers have noted that you dont get all that involved in activities OUTSIDE of class time. Perhaps you spend your downtime gawping at facebook. Dont get me wrong, i did that a lot too. But youre on notice, so if you feel you spend a bit of time doing that, a way to turn it around is to spend the next few months making flashcards, creating cool stuff at your desk for class activities that draws in the non-english speaking teachers, or (if the VP sees that the non-English teachers are engaging with you, you bet your ass youve got his or her seal of approval) just noticeably study korean a bit and look eternally confused until someone spots your book and starts chatting to you.

That being said, the studying korean thing is always case by case. Some schools love to see it, some dont.

All that being said, the one way to GUARANTEE that youre 'settling in' is to build a relationship with your students. If the students are making a bee line to your desk to chat with you between classes or at lunch time, you win. And the best way to make that happen is to wander about and SMILE. Always always SMILE. If teachers (including the principal who should be number one on your hit list), see you happily interacting with students, then when that recontracting form hits the school, youre always in with a bigger shout.

Smile smile. Send positive vibes. Engage with your students. You dont have to be the school clown, but you have to draw them in a bit. If youre standoffish (and it sounds like, by your own description you are), that could be the reason youre not 'settling in'. This is, like it or not, edutainment. Schools do expect a certain degree of effervescence from their NET. If youre a bit dour or sad faced you could be the worlds greatest teacher but youd be struggling to get renewed.

Options though:

1. Change change. Being cheerful and bubbly and above all approachable to your students. They have enough older intimidating teachers.

2. Ask your BOE coordinator for a slightly older age group or a school looking for a more serious teacher.

3. Get the LOR and try for another public school gig. Problem with this might be that almost always, public schools will want a phone number for your old school for a direct reference. And it sounds like you wont really be getting one.

4. Hagwon. Its not that bad, and to be honest, so long as you avoid the worst offenders and find something a bit more mom and pop, you could end up loving it. Much less need to put on the clown shoes. Smaller class sizes mean you can dictate a bit more how you build relationships with your students.

5. CHINA: Good option to be honest. China isnt looking for the NET-Circus freak show. If you want to teach and be respected as a teacher by both students and staff (and dont mind the extra expectations as far as classroom management, lesson planning, and running assessments), then there are PLENTY of jobs looking for you. Theres also very little in the way of classroom politics nonsense since youre pretty much on your own, and will only be in school to either prep lessons or teach them.

[happyinhenan]

Ippy, that is an excellent post if I may say so myself.

[jen_blue]

[happyinhenan]

Are you British? I am and I knew that I was keeping a seat warm for a suitably qualified (young female) North American applicant. What you won't get off them is a straight answer, what they are doing, is telling you in a roundabout way that you won't be getting renewed but they don't want you running and leaving them in the lurch, so they are offering you that glimmer of hope (or carrot and stick).

From what I am reading, you aren't doing anything wrong, facebook, playing with apps etc - the Korean teachers do it just as much and they get their head down with it, I could never sleep in the staffroom with all that racket. If you are British, you are surplus to requirements until an American comes along to take your place, it won't be you, I promise.

The verbal reference from crap erm, I mean co-teacher carries more weight than your stamped letter so, if you are getting a new handler, keep on their right side big time, bring in little gifts of fruit - they all seem to like tangerines, try and get a British newspaper like 'The Times' or one with loads of supplements sent from home like the weekend Guardian. And even if you don't get renewed, you will get a good verbal reference which will massively help you in getting a new job in the local vicinity.

[Brooks]

I bet you are being compared to negatively to the previous teacher.
That really sucks.
Hey, it happened to me.

Just move on. Sometime it seems that only certain foreign teachers are desired, even though we are all individuals.

[jen_blue]