Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SoccerFan81]

I've been shopping around looking for a good opportunity at a hagwon in Daegu, Pohang, maybe as far south as Busan. I have been working at an international school in Seoul for 4 years. One of my good friends from the States has been giving me some advice on a few positions that I am looking into. One of them is a lead teacher position at a respectable hagwon. I wanted to post on Dave's (which I never do...I'm more of a lurker) to get some additional voices on the subject.
I know the basics of "the hagwon" as far as the overall job description, etc. I am privy to the dangers of a negligent hagwon owner, poor organization within the school and being wary of "low" season. One thing that I am unsure of is the full role of the lead teacher. My friend has declined the lead teacher title at his school because, as he says, it makes you an instant "ninny" in the eyes of co-workers and is not worth the money in the end.
What is/is not/should be the job description of the lead teacher? It is obviously some type of administrator, but what are their secret powers? What type of training do they receive/need/have (if any)? I understand that it is necessary for schools to have some sort of structure, but I would hate to walk into a situation where I am instantly looked upon as someone that throws their weight around on other teachers simply due to the title. I don't want to be a ninny!

Your input and discussion is appreciated.

[edwardcatflap]

If you can show you're better qualified and experienced than the people under you and are prepared to treat them with respect, most of them will respect you back. There will always be one or two with authority issues who will still have an attitude problem with you just because you're in a position of power. If you're not equipped for the job as laid out above I wouldn't recommend it

[thegadfly]

How does the school define the role of lead teacher?

One of the problems of being a head teacher, a lead teacher, or whatever other title the kids are using nowadays, is that the role, duties, and position in the hierarchy are not clearly defined. For example, teacher training duties often fall to the head/lead teacher, as might orienting new teachers to the school and neighborhood.

A head/lead teacher may go to administrative meetings, and may have administrative duties (interviewing students for placement, choosing textbooks, following up with teachers about late paperwork, actually running teachers' meetings...lotsa little and not-so-little things).

The job may entail such mundane things as re-organizing the files, reshelving shared textbooks, changing the ink cartridge in the printer, unjamming the copier (things that EVERY teacher should be doing as needed, but often don't...however, as lead teacher, you are supposed to "set the example," which means you WILL be doing it most of the time it needs to be done).

You may be asked to "talk to" teachers that are having problems in the classroom -- counsel/cajole/otherwise get them to shape up.

You may be asked to convey messages between administrators and teachers -- sometimes good news, sometimes bad news.

You may have some say in the hiring process, or may even do the interviews/selection of candidates...though I would guess the boss would always have final say.

If the school does NOT have a clearly defined idea of the lead teacher's duties, then if you take the job, you will have to carve out your own niche -- and that is a lot of work and stress. It CAN be rewarding to do that, but it can also lead to quick burnout if you meet too much resistance.

If you have specific questions, feel free to PM.

Oh, and I am curious about the school in Pohang you were considering...so which was it? Again, you can PM if you prefer a modicum of privacy....

[SoccerFan81]

gadfly-
I appreciate the information. From the laundry list of items, it sounds like the position you are describing is more of a "go-for" and conveyor of information than administrator. I guess the "administrator" tag from the Western educational model is more administrative/secretarial in the Korean system.
As for the school locations which I am considering, one is a smaller hagwon just outside of Daegu. They have a teaching opening in August leading into the lead position in January, as the current lead will move back stateside. The opportunity in Pohang is a bit more complicated. I am ex-military as is my friend whom I referred to in my initial post. He has a contact from a school considering a regime change in their lead teaching role. It's in it infancy stage right now, so I'd rather not give details. If anything becomes definite, I will know much more.

[thegadfly]

SoccerFan81,

Oh, yeah, I forgot the stuff from the OTHER direction -- you may be the first one spoken to about teacher "concerns," which may include actual issues you need to deal with, or may just be listening to folks vent. In extreme cases, you may be called upon to help with culture shock or other personal problems...as a lead teacher, you may be the go-to person in the other teachers' minds...I don't know if DOING any of that stuff is part of the job, but getting the call seems to go with the territory....

Good luck, and if you end up in Pohang, drop me a line -- I'd be very interested to hear how your experience goes....