Korean Job Discussion Forums

[gkim06]

During lunch, a student came into the classroom and stole money right out of my wallet/bag...which was in the desk (on the other side of the room from the door). I'm guessing that my co-teacher didn't lock the door when she left but, either way, the student knew what he/she was doing when he/she came into the classroom during lunch.

I know some of you will say that it is my fault and I should've taken my bag with me to lunch but with all that aside...what should I do?

I won't drag this out too long but I don't want to let it go too easily either. There was a decently large chunk of cash in my bag/wallet and I want to try and find the culprit. Even if I can't get the money back, I would like to know who it is and, at least, try to talk to the student responsible for such an act.

The two grades that are the most likely (looking at the lunch schedule) are the 5th and 6th graders. My co-teacher and I were only gone for 30 minutes so those are the only two grades that could've had the opportunity to do this. What would you guys do in this situation?

Besides being careful next time and not leaving my bag in the classroom during lunch and making sure that the door is locked...I know how to prevent this in the future... please advise me on how to approach this case/problem.

Thank you!

[pkang0202]

You immediately tell your coteacher. If they dont't do anythign then you tell the VP.

Most likely they will know who the culprit is. KOrean teachers know the good students from bad. Also, the Korean teachers can pressure the class to narc out the thief.

Time is of the essence here. Jsut to let you know, when they catch the theif, he/.she will get the beating of their life. If not from the school then the parents will beat the crap out of them.

[spliff]

How do you know it wasn't your co-teacher?

[cdninkorea]

Set up a movie camera and hide it in the lunchroom. Purposely leave the door open and some cash in your bag and make a note of the serial numbers on the bills for double verification.

There's no guarantee anyone will take the bait, but if you do it everyday eventually someone might, even though it won't necessarily be the same thief as last time.

As for camera placement: a small digital camera with a movie camera can easily be hidden on a high bookshelf, with the lens facing down, between some boxes or other misc. clutter. Hide it well though or someone might steal that too...

[spliff]

A "movie camera"..what, Panavision? Anyhow, how would setting it in the lunch room be effective when the purse and money are back in the classroom?

[cdninkorea]

[ChopChaeJoe]

Maybe the kid bragged. Offer a reward for tips.

[ds_fan]

again wise ass comments offering no help, attempting to pull apart the ops post. Tell the co techer, vp and director, but be aimiable about it, show that you understand kids are growing up etc and that it happens everywhere, if you smell a rat, i.e the director gets angry that you said that goes on in his/her hagwon then back down, all you can do im afraid. If they have any morals (which hagwon bosses mainly dont) they will try to find the kid, and as for the kid getting a beating- serves him/her right. My ipod was stolen once from a gym, if i caught the guy i would have battered him blue.

[Join Me]

Cut your loses before it gets worse is what I say. What if you make a stink about it and they do hassle your students. There is no way you can be certain a student did it. Could be anyone and if they do find that person and it isn't one of your students how will your students view you from here on out? How about this scenario? Lets say it was an adult. Do you actually think your school is going to go after a Korean adult for you? You already admitted you made a mistake by leaving the money in the classroom. Hungry for seconds are you?

Why not just wait a week and then leave your bag out at lunch again with a rat trap in it...then keep your eyes open for bruised fingers. Sure, you will probably get fired...but justice always comes at a price and kimchi isn�t the only thing that is best served cold.

[princess]

How do you know for sure that it was not another teacher? I had money go missing twice at work this past year. 200,000 won in December and 100,000 on another ocassion. It's a hassle, but take your stuff with you wherever you go, or hide your bag and booby trap it by putting stuff on top of it and you can tell if it was moved in any way. It's a sad world we live in, but you can't trust anyone at work 100%.

[mehamrick]

mouse traps are wonderful things... try them they work wonders....

[nuthatch]

...one does not know who took it...I would not immediately blame the students....it could have been anyone who walked in the door...

...someone stole my cell phone out of my bag in a classroom...it was a private international school in Shanghai ... there were always guards walking around...plus all the regular Chinese staff...maids/cleaners...it could have been anyone...and anyone could have walked in off the street...I always had the feeling the STUDENTS DID NOT DO IT....

[garykasparov]

http://www.thespystore.com/hiddenwirelessnannycams.htm

[cdninkorea]

Sadly other posters are right- it could be someone else on staff at your school. I've seen it happen at two different places I've worked:

One was a kindergarten school, and it's highly unlikely that children that age went to several classrooms on the same day to take money out of women's purses.

The other was an elementary school- a locked cabinet was broken into and money stolen from a teacher's purse. That could have been a student I suppose but breaking into a cabinet seems like something an adult thief is more likely to do.

But again, others are right: lock everything up because you can't trust your co-workers either.

[hugekebab]