|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
philipjames
Joined: 03 Feb 2003
|
 Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2006 9:11 pm Post subject: Left out of the loop again! |
 |
|
Today was graduation for grade six at my elementary school near Suwon. I looked at the graduation album that each student received, and at the front there were pictures of every teacher at the school - except me, the foreign teacher. Most of the teachers pictured don't even teach grade six students at all, yet their picture was included. I regularly teach grades 3-6 as their English teacher, yet my photo wasn't included.
I like my job and love my students, and get along with the Korean staff, so it's not as if there's an issue there. It's just one of those little reminders that they don't really consider us to be on the same level as themselves.
During my third week here I had organized a lunchtime soccer game with my students on the field outside. Fifteen minutes into the game a male Korean teacher, without even acknowledhing my presence, calls the students off the field, organizes them into another event, and leaves me standing in the middle of the field looking like a fool in front of my students. Now, what message does that send to my students? What does that say about his opinion of me as a co-equal, under whose authority the children were then organized into a sports event?
It's the little things like that which really piss me off. Can't decide whether to call them on the missed photo, and all that it implies.
P. Jameson |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2006 9:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I'm right in there on one of the staff pages with ______ ____ ������ under my name. The school even sent me off to their studio to make sure they had a professional photo. They even include a few of me with a few of the classes. In one I have my eyes closed and in the other I'm turning around distracted by some students goofing off behind me. Maybe it would be better to only stick with portraits.
Sorry to hear about that - I know I'd find it pretty annoying. Had you perhaps not started yet when they were doing album photos? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ilovebdt
Joined: 03 Jun 2005
Location: Nr Seoul
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2006 10:11 pm Post subject: Re: Left out of the loop again! |
|
|
| philipjames wrote: |
Today was graduation for grade six at my elementary school near Suwon. I looked at the graduation album that each student received, and at the front there were pictures of every teacher at the school - except me, the foreign teacher. Most of the teachers pictured don't even teach grade six students at all, yet their picture was included. I regularly teach grades 3-6 as their English teacher, yet my photo wasn't included.
I like my job and love my students, and get along with the Korean staff, so it's not as if there's an issue there. It's just one of those little reminders that they don't really consider us to be on the same level as themselves.
During my third week here I had organized a lunchtime soccer game with my students on the field outside. Fifteen minutes into the game a male Korean teacher, without even acknowledhing my presence, calls the students off the field, organizes them into another event, and leaves me standing in the middle of the field looking like a fool in front of my students. Now, what message does that send to my students? What does that say about his opinion of me as a co-equal, under whose authority the children were then organized into a sports event?
It's the little things like that which really piss me off. Can't decide whether to call them on the missed photo, and all that it implies.
P. Jameson |
I was asked if I wanted to appear in my school's year book, but I declined as I had only been there like two days. Did you ask them why you weren't included?
I understand how you must feel quite hurt by that football incident.
Unfortunately, some people don't have the manners or foresight to enquire as to what you were doing with the kids. For them it was just easier to take the kids away.
Don't put too much of yourself into your job because you will just burn out. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
philipjames
Joined: 03 Feb 2003
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2006 10:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I've been at the school for almost six monthes!!! There was plenty of time to include my photo, if they were so inclined. Another thing, I even wrote the school "text" for the grade five and six students to carry about with them, then recorded it onto the school's website for the childen to consult on their home computers. I taught them several times a week. Yet they didn't deem my photo worthy of inclusion in the album. The lower grade teachers, on the other hand, who had zero contact with the sixth grade students, had their pictures included. WTF!
I don't mean to be petty, but nothing like making someone feel excluded. An occasional invite to a teacher's dinner event might also be nice. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
laogaiguk
Joined: 06 Dec 2005
Location: somewhere in Korea
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2006 10:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| philipjames wrote: |
I've been at the school for almost six monthes!!! There was plenty of time to include my photo, if they were so inclined. Another thing, I even wrote the school "text" for the grade five and six students to carry about with them, then recorded it onto the school's website for the childen to consult on their home computers. I taught them several times a week. Yet they didn't deem my photo worthy of inclusion in the album. The lower grade teachers, on the other hand, who had zero contact with the sixth grade students, had their pictures included. WTF!
I don't mean to be petty, but nothing like making someone feel excluded. An occasional invite to a teacher's dinner event might also be nice. |
They don't invite you to the teacher's dinner? Look, don't take this as a personal attack, but can you think of any reason when you first got there that they might think you don't want to socialize at all? Or did something that offended them or made them mad in a big way (even if it shouldn't have made them mad or offended them in your opinion)? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ilovebdt
Joined: 03 Jun 2005
Location: Nr Seoul
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2006 11:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| philipjames wrote: |
I've been at the school for almost six monthes!!! There was plenty of time to include my photo, if they were so inclined. Another thing, I even wrote the school "text" for the grade five and six students to carry about with them, then recorded it onto the school's website for the childen to consult on their home computers. I taught them several times a week. Yet they didn't deem my photo worthy of inclusion in the album. The lower grade teachers, on the other hand, who had zero contact with the sixth grade students, had their pictures included. WTF!
I don't mean to be petty, but nothing like making someone feel excluded. An occasional invite to a teacher's dinner event might also be nice. |
After a discussion yesterday with my "supervisor" yesterday, it is now quite clear to me what my position is at my school.
Well, if you have been there six months then there is no reason why they shouldn't have included you. Did you ask them why?
They probably assumed you didn't want to be included.
I have never been invited to any teacher events at my school either. But, that is probably because I work at a high school and everyone works long hours here. But, I was also told by my predecessor not to expect to be invited.
Which is in complete contrast to when I worked at a hagwon. We all used to socialise and all go out to eat together at least once a week. I miss those days. It was hard work, but fun. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
