Korean Job Discussion Forums

ihaveseoul2 · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

I had an ex-coworker who was canned at the three month mark. They basically admitted that they didn't want to let him go but were basically forced to by the reaction of the parents... and the hagwon agreed that the response wasn't fair.. but necessary.

Yes, the hagwon definately takes a hit... but if the teacher has a bad reputation (whether it is valid or not) than the hagwon suffers as students leave the school....

The hagwon has two choices.. keep the teacher with the bad reputation and hope they don't lose too much 'income.' Or... drop the capital and correct the situation.

poet13 · Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 2:25 am Post subject:

ihaveseoul2.... why was your co-worker canned after three months? Bad reputation...ok....but what did he do to earn (or not earn) that rep; or perhaps more clearly, what issues did the parents have that the hogwan didnt share or feel was fair?
I do realize it doesnt take much to get a bad rep. I went to two private boys schools in Canada. At the first one, a boy singled me out on day one for ridicule, and at day two, the entire senior body believed everything he had said. That year was hell. At the next school, the next year, I made my own rep on the sports field, and no matter what jackass things i did, I was still cool.

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

bellum99 · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: don't need to know

Well....it could something she doesn't want to actually talk about. I once knew a guy who was fired in his first 4 month for a very good reason. He was teaching girls high school. He always stood next to the girls when they were in their seats. The girls thought he was looking at their breasts down their shirts and they said it to their mothers. I think he was, too. He commented about how hot they sometimes looked (yikes). The boss gave stupid reasons and fired him. Just shows you have to be careful about things even if you are innocent (but I think he was weird).

genaureliano · Joined: 04 Jan 2004

For the record, I haven't been checking out my middle school girls. I think it's very straight forward. A few of them did not like me for whatever reason. This must be said, that it's a few of them. Most of my kids like me very much, but I guess mommy doesn't really call to tell the boss that the teacher is doing a good job. know what I mean? We only hear about the bad crap. These parents complained and my boss got scared about losing business. I don't agree with her, but it's her world and I'm just living in it. I'm happy to move on and not deal with this invisible pressure to do or not do something. And...well, I have no evidence of this other than the first initial conversation and then a few sideways glances, but I really don't think that I fit into the image of her school. I did send her a photo with my long hair and goatee (that's the point, innit?), but I'm not sure if the recruiter ever passed it along. The school is only about 6 months old...et voila. That's my perspective. 48 hours later. C'est la vie.

teachingld2004 · Joined: 29 Mar 2004

This will not help you, but I have found that some times people get sacked because kids drop out, and the school blames the teacher. (hey, kid change schools all the time)

I also find thatthe parents of the worst students complain about the teacher. "why can't my child speak english? He has been taking lessons for 2 months already! Must be teachers fault". Why does my child start fights? Must be teachers fault" Why do they get too much/not enough homework.....etc etc...

I have seen some great teachers get fired, and some lousey ones get raises.

Don't worry, there are lots of jobs.

I do not know what you look like with long hair and a goate. Are you clean and neat? I have seen some people look like they are on "skid row".

Start looking at worknplay. Good luck.

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

Wangja · Joined: 17 May 2004 Location: Seoul, Yongsan

Dan The Chainsawman · Joined: 05 May 2005

Now before we head off into the wild blue yonder making the OP out to be a sloppy teacher or a kiddie tosser let us remember the audience.

MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS....

They are the arch devils...

The spawn of satan...

My lord one slight to their established preajumma superiority and you got a metaphorical back alley knife fight on your hands.

Heck Middle school boys whine and complain alot, but for the most part they are cool with you as long as you have a firm and fair hand and try to jazz up class a little with a fart joke or two.

But egads.... Middle school girls require very special handling that even I the Hogwon Monkey 1st Class with Silver Star for valor under fire from rabid dong chimmers have even come close to figuring out.

It is sort of like this..

Middle school girls will stick you in the back for anything. If they don't like you, you are strict in class, give homework, take away a cell phone, and my favorite use TPR in class they will whine to their mumsie and popsie.

My first couple of months with my middle schoolers was nothing but complaining, and finally they have mostly stopped because after awhile the girls just got used to me being me.

So look OP don't personalize your experience one bit. Get a hair cut and a shave and a clean shirt and find a job elsewhere.