Korean Job Discussion Forums

[casey's moon]

I've been at my current job (mainstream kindergarten) for about a year and a half. Today the director visited my class and the other foreign teacher's classes. She happened upon a very good lesson of mine with uncharacteristically obedient kids and it all went swimmingly. She was glowing afterwards and couldn't stop singing my praises.

That's all fine and good, but later I spoke with the other foreign teacher who said that she and the director didn't see eye to eye on how her class went. The director, apparently, had some concerns.

I doubt the concerns are very serious. I think the other teacher's teaching philosophy is not that unlike my own, and my impression (but I've never been able to watch her classes) is that she puts her heart and soul into her classes and that she loves teaching.

Anyway, I just got a call from the director to say that she is planning to observe my class again and bring the other teacher along to watch!!!! I'm really worried that this is going to an extremely awkward situation. The other teacher is considerably older than me and has a lot of experience (more than me in some ways and less in others) and I hate the idea that I'm supposed to be showing her how to teach!

Not sure what I can do to make the situation less awkward. Any advice? (BTW, thanks for reading, assuming you've read this far -- sorry it's long).

[HapKi]

Yes, you are in a very touchy position. I would be careful when put in that one-up position against your co-workers. Just be ready to justify your teaching methods, as well be open to your co-workers teaching methods as well.

[Vollrath]

refuse to do it. tell the boss that you're flattered, but you weren't hired for training sessions. you're a teacher. if she insists, keep on RE-sisting... you should eventually tire her out.

[alabamaman]

The performance issue should stay between the director and the foreign teacher. Your director has experience in assiting teachers towards developing their teaching skills You could talk to her "nicely" about it before school starts. I wouldn't refuse to do it though! I'm in agreement with Vollrath on one of his points. You weren't hired for training sessions.

[Vollrath]

refuse to do it. tell the boss that you're flattered, but you weren't hired for training sessions. you're a teacher. if she insists, keep on RE-sisting... you should eventually tire her out.

[casey's moon]

As another teacher pointed out via pm, classroom observation is part of the teaching community. But I also think (and so did she) that if I also observe the other teacher's class (each for our mutual learning, not to critique) it might make the situation less awkward...

Thanks for the responses. I'm impressed that you made it through my long-winded OP!!!!

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Just be diplomatic with the other teacher and tell her before class 'I know you have a different teaching philosophy and that's fine, blah blah blah'. Just do the observed lesson and then the other teacher can decide what she wants to make of it.

[jacl]

[Homer]

Nothwithstanding the standoffish bull that some have posted in response to your OP I say follow Yu_Bum_suk's advice. It is your best course of action.

This is just an observation of your class. It is not "extra" duty by any stretch or twist of the imagination. This teacher will simply observe your class and hopefully take something positive from it or even be able to offer her input on your teaching methods as well. Take this as a chance to improve and exchange ideas with a co-worker.

Or, take the confrontational stance, tell your boss off and then notice that perhaps this was not a good fight to fight.....

[cubanlord]

[casey's moon]

I've actually come up with a new solution. I'm getting yet another cold and I'm going to take it easy tomorrow (use a story CD and a worksheet) in my classes. I'll explain it to the director in the morning and suggest that the other teacher and I observe each other's classes next week.

Saying "hell no" hasn't even crossed my mind, however. I have a great relationship with my director and even though I'm only working there for another three months (going to quit to go and have a baby and all) and I've turned down her offer to keep the job open for me, I still know that keeping a good relationship with her is important and can be helpful in countless ways. I guess it is a different situation if you're only here for a year and then you're going to go home or move onto another city/country. But it's a different story for me.

Anyway, thanks again for the suggestions, including those I don't agree with -- I appreciate the time you took.