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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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discostu333
Joined: 18 Nov 2009
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 Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 6:56 pm Post subject: Schedule changes - not today! |
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Having worked in a Korean public school for 6 months now, I'm all too aware of the last minute lesson changes and required 'flexibility' when dealing with administrative staff however today I'm not in the mood.
I have my 6 monthly evaluation with the local education board today, 5th period. A guy / girl from the local education board will come and sit in one of my lessons and grade me apparently. I've been fine-tuning my lesson plan all week , alongside my regular planning for next week. My school doesn't have a curriculum for the NET (middle school) and I have to plan all my own lessons, including 3 grades, 2 community classes and 4 afterschool a week. I'm worked like a dog basically, but I manage.
Today one of the office staff (who is also an English teacher, young, female, pregnant and very snappy / rude) told me that one of my 1st grade lessons had changed from Tuesday morning to 4th period before lunch on Fridays "from next week". OK, no problem I said. After 3rd period, I was surprised to see a 1st grade class come to the English Room. No lessons guys, it's from next week I said. "No teacher, definitely lesson today".
So I go to the office and speak with the girl. She flies off at me as usual, but I firmly insist that I will not be teaching this lesson, as a. I don't have any lessons ready to teach them and b. I have my evaluation in 2 hours and I still have work to do for that. The VP agrees with me, and makes her change the lessons back round for this week (why they were changed in the first place I don't know) but I get an evil ''i'll get you for this' glance on the way out the office.
Was I in the right for pushing back on this? |
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Seoulio
Joined: 02 Jan 2010
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| Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 7:04 pm Post subject: |
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| you bet your ass you were in the right, |
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Bloopity Bloop
Joined: 26 Apr 2009
Location: Seoul yo
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| Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 7:07 pm Post subject: |
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| You were definitely right in doing what you did. |
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Fishead soup
Joined: 24 Jun 2007
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 7:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Bloopity Bloop wrote: |
| You were definitely right in doing what you did. |
You were in the right. Classic example of a double standard. Korean Teachers rehearse these kinds of classes to death. They even sometimes get it so the students answer questions from a mermorized script. She would never dream about doing this with one of her Korean co-workers. She took advantage og you because she though because you were a foreigner you wouldn't know better.
In reality these things are a bit of a crap shoot. There are many Supervisors in your school walking in ande out of classes. The vast majority of them can't speak English and Know nothing about student centered/or task based learning. Don't sweat it. If they walk in make sure you have some flashy PPT on and have students doing listen and repeat drills. I would avoid doing something that's too students centered like running dictation because POE officials just don't get it. |
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Senior
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
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| Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 7:43 pm Post subject: |
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Of course you were in the right, but you didn't win. She will back stab you in some other way, so you won this fight but are ultimately doomed to lose the war.
Having the veep on your side is a massive boon, though.
Your co-teach isn't a temporary teacher by chance? If she is, you have full reign to treat her as you please. She has no control or authority over you. |
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discostu333
Joined: 18 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 8:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Senior wrote: |
Of course you were in the right, but you didn't win. She will back stab you in some other way, so you won this fight but are ultimately doomed to lose the war.
Having the veep on your side is a massive boon, though.
Your co-teach isn't a temporary teacher by chance? If she is, you have full reign to treat her as you please. She has no control or authority over you. |
Yup, I completely realize that, which is why I've tried for the past 4 months not to start a war with this girl. She's a permanent teacher, but will be leaving soon to go on maternity leave. I've tried everything to be nice to this girl and get on with her as I teach 2 classes with her, but sometimes you just can't win with some people (which is a shame). I spoke to the last NET and she had the same problem with her, so I don't feel too defeated.
And yes, it is good that I go hiking / drinking with the veep regularly. It definitely gives me at least some sense of security, but by no means do I rely on that. |
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Bloopity Bloop
Joined: 26 Apr 2009
Location: Seoul yo
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| Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 9:33 pm Post subject: |
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| discostu333 wrote: |
| Senior wrote: |
Of course you were in the right, but you didn't win. She will back stab you in some other way, so you won this fight but are ultimately doomed to lose the war.
Having the veep on your side is a massive boon, though.
Your co-teach isn't a temporary teacher by chance? If she is, you have full reign to treat her as you please. She has no control or authority over you. |
Yup, I completely realize that, which is why I've tried for the past 4 months not to start a war with this girl. She's a permanent teacher, but will be leaving soon to go on maternity leave. I've tried everything to be nice to this girl and get on with her as I teach 2 classes with her, but sometimes you just can't win with some people (which is a shame). I spoke to the last NET and she had the same problem with her, so I don't feel too defeated.
And yes, it is good that I go hiking / drinking with the veep regularly. It definitely gives me at least some sense of security, but by no means do I rely on that. |
Sounds like you're playing the game in all the right ways. |
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