Korean Job Discussion Forums

[The Grumpy Senator]

I just saw an advertisement on Facebook by Stephanie White campaigning to be the ATEK President. While I have zero opinion on ATEK and could not care less about the organization, I am intrigued by this.

Stephanie White is the mother of the young man that died tragically about a year ago. In her attempts to acquire evidence/proof of wrongdoing by medics, doctors, and sauna staff; she basically bashed everything Korea.

Therefore, I question her motives in this endevor. I do not think a person with her history of published comment/insults towards Korea should be in a position that would require mutual respect with the Korean government in order to accomplish any goals the organization has.

Again, I have no opinion towards ATEK (trying to avoid the E2-F visa war that occured in the past). I am just puzzled by this advertisement I noticed on Facebook. I hope anyone who comments uses decression in what could become a very sensitive topic.

[Chambertin]

I always thoght the name was AT KEK,

Per the laughable motives and how the only common thread the group has is to get in the way and revel in the press they get. Or hide under a rock after they discover the fallout of being in the public.

[EDIT]: I moved a y did you notice?

[PatrickGHBusan]

Odd candidacy to be sure but then again she ahs a right to run for office. If she wins, it will indeed send an odd message and will most likely spur ATEK into yet another round of Human Rights campaigning and advocacy.

Time will tell.

[Smee]

Unfortunately, ATEK hasn't had the debut year it hoped for, and has shown it's not really a teachers' organization. If it will get Stephannie more leverage for her son, fine, but at this point I think Korea has spoken on that matter. After all it's already gotten a lot of coverage in the English-language press.

I'd like to see a true teachers' organization emerge, one committed to community-building and professional development. Once it builds up good will on those points, it can address some of the shadiness and illegal activities by employers. But to come out swinging will only create bad blood.

But I'm afraid it's too late for ATEK.

[Smee]

Oh, and I was forwarded an email by ATEK---they've long since stopped emailing me directly---that says they extended the date for candidacy announcements because at the time of the original deadline only Ms. White submitted her name. If the next deadline passes without any other names thrown in, she'll win by default.

[Scouse Mouse]

Actually, Ms. White was the second person to be nominated. I don't want to be the guy who outs the other nominee, but I would much rather see him win.

I think there is still too much going on with the appeal for Ms. White to fully commit to ATEK as a teachers organisation that is in dire need of a relaunch. The last thing they need now is another public battle, and I would also say that she has probably annoyed enough people in Korea that her Presidency, and the publicity that would garner, would likely see the government pull the plug on ATEK before it gets a chance to establish itself.

Anyway... I am trying to keep out of this one. I'll be voting for the other guy

[PatrickGHBusan]

It is sad that only one name is submitted for president but it speaks volumes about the state ATEK is in.

Having a president by default would be a disaster and a sure way to board the express to irrelevance. I have to agree with Smee here, ATEK is not a teachers organization, it is a human rights organization populated by teachers. Big difference.

[be11a]

To those forum users who want changes in the working conditions of teachers on visas: ATEK is it.

To those who want changes in classroom practice: join KOTESOL.

To those who want neither: enjoy your stay in Korea.

http://atek.or.kr

(I wouldn't want to be president either. Too many teachers prefers tears in beers to advocating for change. PatrickGH.)

[Draz]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[PatrickGHBusan]

[quote="be11a"]To those forum users who want changes in the working conditions of teachers on visas: ATEK is it.

To those who want changes in classroom practice: join KOTESOL.

To those who want neither: enjoy your stay in Korea.

http://atek.or.kr

(I wouldn't want to be president either. Too many teachers prefers tears in beers to advocating for change. PatrickGH.)[/quote]

Ok, is this an insult or an agreement....?

If you mean that not joining ATEK means that a Teacher is not working for improvements and changes then I will have to disagree with you. ATEK is not the only forum to voice your opinion and affect change and honestly, considering its first year it not even be the best place to work towards changing things. If you meant ATEK is the only place to advocate for change then you also insult all the Teachers who came before you and worked to improve things on their own through their schools or other networks....

This assumption that those who did not join ATEK or that those who criticize it are all passive whiners is toxic and hurts those that support ATEK more than anything else. My question to you would be: do you need ATEK to act? What prevents you from acting on your own, locally, through your job and local community...??

If thats what you are saying....

ATEK is not necessarily it when it comes to changes on visas. In fact, depending on who is president and on how they act ATEK may become the opposite of "it" when it comes to changes in visa rules. Finally UrbanMyth nailed it on the head: change in Korea comes from Citizens, not from foreign labour. Those foreigners on RESIDENT visas can try and generate changes because they have a stake in Korea....the Korean government is accountable to the people that it represents: citizens of Korea and it will act according the consensus of that voting body.

[T-J]

What ATEK needs as a minimum is voter turn out. The first two elections were disappointing to put it mildly. If ATEK is going to survive let alone thrive as an organization it needs grass roots support. ATEK has touted the unverifiable number of 800 members, they should have over 50% voter participation easily in an e-mail voting system that is open for two weeks. We will see. I wish them success. If you are a member, please vote!

[martypants]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[T-J]