Korean Job Discussion Forums

[I_Am_Wrong]

My open class in Nov.17 and we will be having approx. 150-200 visiting principals, english teachers, and education office bureaucrats attend the school. My co-teacher told me that the class we were to use would be my choice so I told her that without question it would have to be 5-5. There are 6 grade 5 classes and 5-5 excels in every way imaginable. They're behaviour, listening, and enthusiasim floors me every time I teach them and I'm sure they would floor anyone that would watch them.

However, 5-5 is on the 4th floor of the school and for some reason the vice-principal decided that the open class HAS to be in a classroom on the 3rd floor of the school. Therefore, we cannot use 5-5 for the open class. I said that they were the best class and that I was given the choice but the vice-principal wouldn't listen. The homeroom teacher had told the kids about my choice and that we have to change the choice and they were actually extremely upset. Today in class they all said they were sad, they were devising ways to get the vice-principal to change his mind, and they even told me that I should go on strike. Hilarious.

During lunch break they selected a group of class representatives and went to the vice-principals office to petition the vice-principal to change his mind. He wouldn't change his mind. Over lunchtime coffee another Korean English teacher talked to him and said that the class could just move to a classroom on the 3rd floor because it would be after regular school hours.

It appears we have to choose from two different classes: one that is unenthusiastic, or one that has two children with severe behavioral problems. All the other teachers agree that it should be with 5-5 but the they told me that the vice-principal doesn't understand.

I'm slightly annoyed to say the least.

[Wrench]

[Ya-ta Boy]

If you are forced to choose between the two undesirable classes, ask to have the two behavioral problem students removed for the day.

[chiaa]

Let me get this straight. He will not even allow the 5-5 class to change classrooms for this one lesson?

What's the reason they cannot change classrooms?
Why cant this lesson be on the 4th floor?

I would love to hear this.

Reminds me of the time an ice cream store refused to give me a milk shake even though they had all the ingredients in plain sight.

[crazykiwi]

I feel for you bro. 100 -200??? wtf?? i just had mine today, with around 30 odd. well my situation is this. the korean co-teacher decided she would spend 20 odd hours planning this one lesson, proceed to phase me out over the lesson and then go on to say and perform the whole lesson in korean. with me standing on the sidelines doing diddly squat! well we had a "meeting" afterwards with all the big wigs and teachers who went on to totally destroy the lesson and the korean teacher to tears. now im not a mean man, so i stuck up for her and asked if they had anything noice to say about the lesson, like how pretty the flash cards looked how organized the lesson was etc, the biggest wig just said to me "you like to complain alot dont you?" my reply being " no, i just like to answer and defend what it is YOU guys are saying, isnt that fair enough?" to put it short, it was just a big bull crap session to destroy what little moral this teacher had. not my cup of tea at all.

[blunder1983]

Sounds like he's in a "I'm in charge and this is reminding you of the fact" mood. I've experienced it a couple of times, and there is no reasoning with it. The only way i've found is to shake your head in disbelief and recall logic was left behind when u first got the plane here!

[bourquetheman]

I feel for you as I had my open class last Thursday. Luckily I have my own classroom and the students come to me, therefore I had the choice of whatever class I liked. I can't imagine the vice-principal won't at least let you put them in that class for the day, I mean what's the big deal of them coming into another classroom? If he wants a good open class he should be willing to let you have your way.

[I_Am_Wrong]

The question "why can't the students just go to the other classroom" has been asked by the students, by me, and by other teachers. The vice-principal treats it as a question that doesn't need to be answered. It's perplexing. The other home-room teacher doesn't want her class to do it (the unenthusiastic one) because if class decorations. Her class has no English decoration in it and she doesn't want to take the time to do it. The 5-5 class has been decorated immaculately all year with English idioms and wise sayings on the wall and the whole 9 yard.
I just don't get it.

[ddeubel]

I have done scads of demonstration/open classes and I hate all the BS. Especially the fact that they are planned, programmed, rehearsed and with the best classes...!!!!

I feel for you BUT you should teach and give your all to each class....no different with suits in the room in this respect. Do your best. VP is right, you should teach any class for this.......

My two cents worth....it is not a spectator sport, but a lesson....

DD

[fidel]

[I_Am_Wrong]

I'm sorry but...any lesson with 150 people watching is not going to be just another lesson. It will be a well planned lesson that isn't "orchestrated." This is a being considered a big deal as not only will all the big wigs be there but they will also be filming it for local news programs. Choosing the best class is also a reward for being the best class because they get to be on tv.

Also, don't for a second give me a condescending attitude that I don't give my all for every damn class I teach.

[fidel]

[chiaa]

Why not just refuse to do the lesson?

If they are not going to allow you to do it the best way (without a valid explanation) you can, then that's valid enough reason not to do it.

[I_Am_Wrong]

I really couldn't care less about being on tv but for the students it's a huge deal. For the record, my vice-principal is a very nice man and there has only been thoughtful discussion, no arguing.