Korean Job Discussion Forums

Koreabound2004 · Joined: 19 Nov 2003

I was recently given my own classroom and desk in the school by this very nice head teacher.

Problem is...my coteacher is very jealous of this...and hates the idea of me having my own room. He has done various things to show this.

This morning, he comes in and says he wants to have class in my classroom....during a period which I don't teach with him....so in effect, he will use my class, while I sit at my computer and listen to his lesson(I am sure he will try to get me to help out with the lesson too)...or tell me to leave and use his computer upstairs for the period.

I don't feel I should have to leave, and I don't want to have to sit here listening to him "teach." He will have to use the computer which is directly beside mine(on the same desk) to do his lesson...so he and I will both be inconvenienced if I stay here during the lesson...but I don't think I should have to leave my classroom...and if I do, I am sure it will become a regular thing.

I have spent a lot of time decorating it, and cleaning it up, and now they want to disrupt me and take it over....what should I do?

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

We have our own room for classes, but our desks are with the Korean teachers in the main room. The room is called a "lab" but when I don't use it, other people schedule classes in there. I'm not in there anyway, so it doesn't matter to me. Likely, the reason you have the room is because the school was given a chunk of cash to buy computers and projection equipment as a part of the government school deal -- the same thing that makes your job possible. The room and equipment are not mine or yours to horde as we see fit.

Actually, when I'm not in class, they like me to hang out around the other Korean teachers. I think they want us to chat with them, etc. I don't mind that, but I was told this sort of "rule" happened because the foreigner teachers would just stay separated from the Korean teachers (hanging out/resting in their lab rooms).

Apple Scruff · Joined: 29 Oct 2003

Just let him use the classroom. Kick up a stink if it turns into a regular thing.

Not that big a deal.

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

I think the problem is that OP's only place of work is the classroom. If that is the case then they need a desk in the office for you to work at. you shouldn't be prepping in an occupied classroom. After that I see no problem in having the classroom used during the op's non-contact periods.

I wish I got flash stuff instead of just chalk Crying or Very sad

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

I've got a similar set up to you at my high school (combination English Zone classroom\office), and I would never put up with that.

As with all things involved with teaching in Korea, you've got to be firm but diplomatic. Know when you can hold 'em, and when you can fold 'em.

After inital resistance. I've been able to talk my higher ups into giving me: whiteboards (god, I hate chalk), a couch for my classroom\office, and a calendar of school events and dates (that was the hardest to get, some sort of state secret, I had to promise not to show it to the Korean teachers).

You're a valuable asset to you school. An honest to goodness English speaking waegukin. That gives you a lot more pull with admin than you may think.

Koreabound2004 · Joined: 19 Nov 2003

canadian_in_korea · Joined: 20 Jun 2004 Location: South Korea

You have told him its inconvenient....go to your head teacher and nicely ask her if it is possible to use another space...as when this teacher holds his class in your room you aren't able to use your computer or prep for your classes. Depending whether she has more "pull" than he does...something might get done....how do you get along with your principle? If worse comes to worse go to the principal and ask him/her if there are any other available spaces....that you appreciate it very much to have your own space, but when the other teacher uses your class you aren't able to prepare for your classes and you feel like you are a distraction to the children.

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

This is Korea and I think I'd be right in assuming that the co-teacher is older than the OP. She needs a face saving measure.

You're right to mention that it's inconveinent for both of you to have use of the classroom. So perhaps you need to talk to your head teacher and suggest that you either get a place in the teachers room OR no classes in there when you are not teaching

You may end up with a desk in the teachers room, but you have to be concerned about winning wars not battles. If you're goal is to have a queit place to prep then you may have to lose face in order to keep it.

Leslie Cheswyck · Joined: 31 May 2003 Location: University of Western Chile

Tell the boss that his plan is being ruined by this teacher. "Pity how some people disrespect your wishes, sir."

How old is this teacher? How old are you? How old is your boss?

Koreabound2004 · Joined: 19 Nov 2003

Well today he did it again! It's becoming quite a piss off. I guess he doesn't care that I am inconvenienced. What's more annoying is that when he leaves, he leaves crap on my desk, leaves the projector on, and the whiteboard for me to erase. Evil or Very Mad

The head teacher is probably same age as my coteacher..not sure, I can't really tell, and I am a much younger woman. You can see why I get no respect.

I don't know what to do anymore, I don't want to be a complainer and rat him out to the head teacher(who will probably side with him)....and I don't want him to force me out of here....grin and bear it until July?

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

Have you tried doing something sneeky like locking the door and ignoring his knocks? You really need to stand up for yourself if that doesn't work. If it comes to that, you want to stay calm, forceful, and polite. He won't know how to deal with you if you do.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

Be upfront....tell him flat out that he cannot use the classroom from here on.

If he has a problem with it he can take it up with the boss!

It is either your classroom or it is anyones classroom.

They can only walk all over you if you lie down for them Exclamation

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

I agree with Grotto.

I don't think that your head teacher will side with the co-teacher, afterall, she gave you that room and told you to stay there 8 hours a day, so to speak. That's your work place. If you don't use that room, you have nowhere else to go to prep.

How about this. The next time he wants to use the room again, you let him use it and you leave to have a smoke (if you smoke) or go out and talk on your phone or hang out in the staff room for the ENTIRE DURATION. Do absolutely NO school related work at all. If the head teacher sees you and asks you why you are not preping, you tell her that you've been chucked out of your own room because the co-teacher has nowhere else to go to teach (find out first if this is really true because if it isn't, then the head teacher will likely go and tell him to use some place else) and you don't feel right that you should be in the classroom with him. Tell her that it's happened a few times already and you thought it would work out with you in the room as well but it didn't, so instead of feeling you were in the way, you volunteered to leave so he can teach in peace.

This way, you are not telling on the teacher behind his back as you are just being truthful and hopefully, the head teacher will find him a different room.