Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nicam]

I have a 2 week winter camp at my M T W school up in the myon. I usually get driven to this school by my co-teacher, who lives around the corner. At first I thought this was a random act of kindness, but I quickly realized it's because the school is damn near impossible to get to via public transport.

25-30 minute walk in the freezing cold to the bus terminal.

50-60 minute bus ride.

That ends up being about 1 1/2 hours each way, and I'm not even including the walk from the bus stop to the school.

I don't handle the cold very well, and early mornings especially suck.

My friends keep saying I should talk to someone about this, but I don't know who to talk to or what rights I have in this situation. I'm thinking none, and I will just have to suck it up and try my best not to get sick.

What would you guys do if anything?

[Xuanzang]

If I had known the travel time before hand then I would have flat out refused to go there. Doesnt that mean you wake up at like 6am to be there for 9? Try to talk to your handler or someone at your board? I`m guessing you`ll just have to go through with it. I`m sorry to say. Dress warmly and eat proper meals.

[Ramen]

[afsjesse]

Sorry OP, but you're SOL. You should have known or atleast thought of how you would get there and back. 3 hours is a long haul but it's doable. If you're getting paid for it than don't complain, it'll be worth the trip. Take the extra dough and go to Taiwan, Thailand, the Pilippines or wherever!

Suerte,
Jesse

[TheChickenLover]

Buy a car, problem solved. Peace & quiet while you travel in a warm car with privacy. Hard to beat.

Chicken

[Tux]

Yeah three hours is a long commute but thankfully its only for a few weeks so I guess just try to get through it. Good luck OP - I walk 25 mins a day in the cold to get to my school so I kinda know what you're going through.

[nicam]

[afsjesse]

In that case you should have said I am allowed to teach alone per the law, show her the clause in your contract that say's your a GET and an Assistant. Too late now. Good Luck OP, I'm in the same boat with camps and no pay. But I only walk 15 minutes in the cold as opposed to an hour.

[sobriquet]

^ What I did for this winter camp.

One week before vacations start and city hall sent a fax through saying that we had to do a camp and suggested that it was 8:30am - 4:30pm for two weeks.

Once I had pointed out the overtime payments and got the camp reduced to 5 days at 9-12:30. I went in for the kill the camp shot, with I can';t teach it alone, I need to have people there otherwise it's illegal.

Didn;t quite work out as expected. The youngest and most inefficient co-teacher has been forced to come in.

Ah well.

Still not bad 3:30 minutes a day for 5 days is ok by me.

[Ramen]

[sobriquet]

^ ah...no.

I will probably lock her in the cupboard. She's a lovely lady, but has not got an ounce of classroom management anywhere in her body. I feel terrible when the kids aren't listening to her.

[DavePuff]

Tough break. I suggest a canteen of hot coffee, and purchasing (if you haven't got one already) an MP3 Player (a MP???).

That way you can listen to the Wondergirls for 3 hours each day.

[fusionbarnone]

You should inquire about payment. The parents are paying(30k per kid) for the camp(20/5k per hour). Should be in your contract.

You are not supposed to teach unsupervised as you are not a state registered teacher. It's illegal to do so. Tell them so.

If you have to travel inquire about travel allowances(about 30k per day).

After camp tell your co-teacher to get you a form that requires your signature which allows you to "work" on teaching strategies/materials at home(the POE receives these forms; your teacher can get one for you; ask for it) during winter/summer vacation. All the teachers do this and take turns coming into school over break periods.

[moosehead]

good news is - your first week is over

more good news - is this a public school??

when I was in ps I was informed there actually IS a reimbursement for transportation expenses - hence your co-t volunteering to drive you - she's getting a nice little lump of change back - and yes- I was reimbursed for district office meetings, whatever kinds of stuff.

if for some reason you'd rather take a taxi to and from the bus terminal - then bring the receipt to your business office, date and explain "transp to camp "x" day and date, sign it. you should receive the funds wired into your bank acc.

the minimum is like 3,000 won or something - but your of course would be more.

[nicam]

Whaaaaa? Co-teachers are getting transportation reimbursements for FTs commutes? You've got to be kidding me!

I haven't been taking taxis to the bus terminal because a) taxis are impossible to get in this suburban wasteland, and b) even if I could find one I wouldn't want to spend the cash money. But it has been warm lately. It will surely be cold enough to cripple a sumo wrestler again tomorrow, and I will want a cab. Getting a receipt sounds like a pain in the arse. Ho hum.

I am getting that form for summer, the one that allows me to work on teaching materials from home. No way are they sticking me with this awful commute again.

And I am confused about payment. I don't think the EPIK contract says anything about getting paid. I have the contract at home, but haven't been home in weeks. Will look for a copy online though.

The camps ARE a welcomed change from the daily PS dog and pony show though. Rather spend 3 hours walking and standing up on a bus packed with fishy ajummas...