Korean Job Discussion Forums

[melek-taus]

Yesterday my USB flash drive came up missing from my computer in the English Zone at my public middle school. I used it to load some .ppt presentations on the room's projector, and I left it in as I normally do. I lock the classroom when I leave, as I have been instructed to by my coteachers. But, during lunchtime the students come to the English Zone to play board games and use the study computers. I have 4 monitor students who help keep things in order. Yesterday I left the students in charge while I left to talk with a coworker for 15 minutes. I returned, the students cleaned up and left, and I taught my remaining classes, not thinking of checking for my USB. At the end of the day, I noticed it missing. I looked everywhere. It's gone. I brought it up to my coteachers and they said they will ask around, but I'm not sure what this will accomplish. I hate to suspect my students, but that is the only explanation I can come up with. The USB has some updated lessons, and my Korean bank and school board electronic certificate info on it, so it is kind of important. Any ideas on how to handle this? I would like to resolve the issue and not have lingering doubts about the safety of my belongings. Anyone else have things missing from school?

[T-J]

I recommend water-boarding.

[oldfatfarang]

I've heard of things being stolen in both PS schools I've taught in (money, teachers' wallets etc). You have to lock everything.

I had a small change purse stolen from my classroom. It was wrapped in gold leaf paper, and some tea leaf took it. I also had a poster stolen from a camp.

I lock everything thing now (cupboards, teachers' room etc). I also lock the English room at lunchtime because the 3rd graders were trashing it everyday (and I had to clean up).

Good luck. I'd be asking round, taking names and kicking butts.

[lifeinkorea]

Overall, Japan and Korea are the safest places to leave your stuff lying around. You could have a penny and they would return it to you.

So, this creates a problem. You want to know who would have taken it if they did. However, it's probably never going to show up again because no one will fess up.

If this behavior was done in a computer room, the first thing I would do is hide a webcam. I would inform the school of this course and when they decide to come for seconds, I would have it recorded.

[Clockout]

I had my external hard drive stolen at school.

My first instinct was to try to remember if there was any porn on it.

[louiloui]

Accusing people of stealing will get you nowhere. My bankbook went missing out of my classroom last year during a 1st grade class. I told my co-teacher that one of the students must have taken it, even if by accident. It miraculously showed up on my desk the next day, and I was told that the school was embarrassed because I accused students of stealing something that wasn't missing.

You're best bet is to tell your co-teacher that it's missing and to let you know if anyone finds it. Most Koreans believe that Koreans never steal, and will try very hard to save face for students and staff before they will for you.

[melek-taus]

thanks for the replies. Yeah, I realize that accusing the students of stealing it is a bit counterproductive, so that's why I didn't get all shitty about it. I guess my first reaction will be to close down the game-time during lunch. Many students are literally pounding down the door to get in to play games during their lunchbreak, so my hope is that this will pressure someone into fessing up. Next comes the water boarding.

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

What the hell is any student doing near your computer??? No opportunity= no theft but you could also have a student make an illegal download and you'd be screwed.

[Hater Depot]

I had USB drives disappear twice from my public school classroom. On the other side of the ledger, seven textbooks were left behind by students who never claimed them.

[ulsanchris]

Korea is not a safe country to let things lay around. There is a good chance they will be stolen.

One student told me that her teacher's bag at her school went missing. finally they got the male janitor to check the boys' toilet. They found it in one of the toilets with all the money missing.

[He with Horns on Head]

In which country is it safe to leave things around, if you don't mind my asking? People are people; thieves abound everywhere.

[CentralCali]

[Big Mac]

I made the mistake of leaving my wallet in my coat pocket one day and leaving it in my classroom. I had just taken out 100,000 Won the day before.

I went to the store to buy something, opened up my wallet and there was nothing inside. I was pretty pissed. That being said, I always keep my wallet on me at all times when I'm at school now.

[Horangi Munshin]

I was warned by co-teachers to lock up everything I want to keep. I keep my wallet on my at all times. I'm supposed to leave the English zone open so I have a shortcut on my computer to quickly go to password protected screen saver. Luckily I have cupboards to lock my stuff in. I've only had slippers go 'missing'

[Kimchieluver]