Korean Job Discussion Forums

[manlyboy]

My Korean co-teacher frequently leaves me to fend for myself in the classroom even though the contract stipulates that I am an assistant, and should never be left alone. I don't mind this, and actually prefer it as I find her presence very restricting. She likes to cut me off, and change my games and activities right in the middle of doing them.
The problem is, she is constantly undermining my authority. For example: It's 9:00 am. She hasn't turned up on time as usual. I commence the lesson. The kids realize that there's no K-teacher and start giving me a hard time. I punish the troublemakers by having them stand at the back of the room with their hands in the air. K-teacher strolls in at 9:20, and the first thing she does is tell all the trouble makers to sit down.
If I confront her over this, she will start a huge fight, and our already strained relationship will probably reach breaking point. One of the kids has got it in his head that he doesn't have to do what I tell him. I tried to punish him the other day, and he flat out refused. I tried to convey this to his homeroom teacher, but she doesn't speak English and doesn't seem able to help. How do you think I should deal with this kid?

[FUBAR]

Where do you work? Elementary School? Hagwon?

[the eye]

you can't solve your discipline problem with the kids until you solve the discipline problem with your coworker.
the kids only see HER as an authority.

what have you really got to lose? talk to her about her conduct towards you asap!

[manlyboy]

I'm at a public elementary school.

I feel there's quite a bit to lose by confronting the K-teacher. I've done this in this past and she is just simply not having any of it. Even a very minor disagreement sets her off. In spite of this, I really like this job and I don't want to lose it. Everything else here is great. At this point, I'm prepared to tolerate her for the sake of keeping the peace. It's not like I don't have any authority. It's just this one kid who's got me stumped.

[the eye]

yeah, i see your point.
have you tried positive reinforcement?
give out stickers to the ones who were well behaved that day, did their homework, etc.

or if you play a game, warn the bad apples that they will be excluded if they behave poorly.

or maybe, if you have a way to translate your problem to the homeroom teacher, she might be on your side, and something can be done from there.

[eamo]

Never confront a kid who defies you. It's a lose-lose situation.

Either leave the room and get some Korean authority-figure in to handle it, or, continue with the class and keep that student behind for punishment after class. Like a detention or a big homework.

[turtlepi1]

Sounds like you want to have the best of both worlds...

Either you accept that you are the flunky and avoid confrontation (and leave the kids out of the battle...you want to fix him because he is being defiant, but you have sent them the message you are not the boss) or find a place in the teaching environment where you are more than the babysitter.

Maybe you just feel like venting...then whatever...this was a good post for you.

But I think you should really talk to your co-teacher. Maybe NOT when there is a specific tension between you. Talk about how she makes you feel, not what she is doing to undermine you...

Just a thought...

[manlyboy]

[ThePoet]

This is a three-tiered solution, the third being contingent upon results from the other two.

First, document all events that occur. Include dates and times that she leaves the classroom, include the specific names of students that act up and exactly what they do. This must be written down. You need to do this for about a month so that patterns can be seen. It's your choice as to whether you inform her that you will be documenting everything or not, and also why, although if it were me, I wouldn't say a thing to her.

Second, write a letter (do not talk to her about it, you've already seen it as ineffective) that explains each of your 'difficulties' with her, and the results that occur because of her actions. Don't attempt to analyze the why's at this stage, simply discuss action-outcome. cc this letter to your school director, the department head (if there is one), the homeroom teacher, and if you really want to get serious, the district office. at the end of your letter, request a meeting with all concerned (including the director et al.). You need to ensure at the meeting that your authority won't be undermined and you will be taken seriously as a teacher's assistant. The fact that you do this will let her know it is now at a more formal stage and should frighten her a little bit that the 'kitten has claws'. Because not only do the students not respect you, its obvious that neither does she.

Thirdly, Once you have that assurance, she needs to introduce you to the class all over again and lay down strict guidelines as to your authority with the students, and that you have her support. Then hopefully things will be better the next time you need to use that authority.

If you don't get results from the second stage or if she decides to sabotage you in the third stage, continue documenting. If nothing else it may allow you to understand potential situations to avoid in the future.

In a public institution - it doesn't matter where - bureaucracy is GOD, so if you become bureaucratic about things, you get more results. Its not JUST about teaching, unfortunately.

Poet

[TJ]

[Grotto]

similar problem in one of my classrooms. I tried doing the discipline and got undermined, talked to the homeroom teacher about it and nothing was solved.

When I have kids misbehaving in class I simply stop the lesson look at the homeroom teacher until she does something about it.

As for them not showing up, I dont enter the classroom until they arrive. I originally went to class a couple of minuts early( and still do for most of my classes) but her class I wait until she shows. I dont stress out about it but I also dont put up with it.

[manlyboy]

[hellofaniceguy]

What's wrong with CONFRONTING that co-worker? Tell her...she's always late, etc... tell her she's worthless and can't speak English worth a damm. Tell her she's worthless as an English teacher. Now, she'll run off and pout...but hey...she's korean, and these women are nothing but pouters and whiners. Now...once you lay down your feelings and she realizes that you are serious, she'll back down. Tell her that she needs to back your play and vice versa or stay the F@&* out of the classroom! I think you are too soft and can't stand your ground which is why she and the students are running you.
It is ALWAYS best to enter the classroom as a hard ass and then work your way to being a good guy. If you enter the classroom as a softie, you'll never gain control. Be firm, use the stink eye, toss a few of the bad students out the window from the top floor and that''ll solve your problem...and create a new one of course...but hey...the unruly ones are gone!

[kermo]

One thing that could help is a little advanced planning.
Lately, my co-teacher has been handing me lesson plans with everything clearly delineated as to who does what, and since we both have our own activities to deal with, we let the other do whatever seems best.

When I want to issue a bit of discipline, I inform my co-teacher first. I say "I'm going to tell these students that..." and if I have their support, then I go ahead. I like what Grotto said about stopping the lesson and looking at the co-teacher until he/she acts on it.

One important rule to remember is this: never issue a consequence that you can't follow through on. That is, don't tell them to leave the room unless you're prepared to carry them out.
You can set up win-win situations for yourself, like refusing to return a confiscated phone to a student unless they sing the alphabet song-- either way, you have the advantage.
You can use shame or peer pressure, like telling the class "We're not going to do the game unless EVERY student is finished" for example, and you can bet that most kids will be elbowed and glared at until they finish their work.
Power struggles are fruitless-- be wily! Get either cooperation or autonomy from your co-teacher, then pre-arrange the environment with your students so you emerge the victor!

[manlyboy]