Korean Job Discussion Forums

[CanadaCommando]

Ok, this post serves no point but to shine some light on the few good leaders of our job sector-the Directors and the Chiefs of Departments.

I know that there are lots of bad bad directors out there. I had a few myself already. But when a field is so saturated in evil, people often lose sight of the fact that there are some really great bosses out there. I currently have one.

Hail to Mr. B. who:
-has gone out of his way to ensure I can maximise my vacation
-had taken me out for dinner the first few days of employment so I could get a feel for him as a person.
-constantly makes jokes at no-ones expense; just for the sake of a laugh.
-asks me at least every day if I am alright, and tells me that if my girlfriend decideds to go home; no problem...he will find me a nice Korean girlfriend.
-has no grander ambition at the end of the day than to go home and be with his wife and kids.
-is glad of his English skills because now he doesnt have to send his kids to hogwans. (not because he doesnt want to pay; just because he doesn't want to put his kids through this)
-is so layed back, HE DOESN'T EVEN OWN A CELL PHONE.

I am sure this post will get booted to the back pages quicker than sin, but I just wanted to provide anyone who has had a good or great experience with a boss here an outlet of thanx or appreciation. There are SOO many negative posts on bosses here...I thought a positive one would be a nice idea.

CC

PS I did not post his name up there because the job is mine; You all stay away!

[Badmojo]

Do you want some more lovin' for the bosses?

Okay, I love my boss, too.

She's straightforward, has my back, and more or less leaves me to run my classes in my own way. If I need something, I can usually get it. If there are any problems, she's the first one to lend a hand.

And for awhile, she was even teaching me Korean for free.

This is a good thread. I hope it gets larger.

[Dawn]

Kudos for yet another great employer.

His first and foremost priority is providing a quality educational program, he knows that that takes money, and he isn't afraid to spend it. He supplies us with good texts complete with all the "extras" such as teacher's manuals, flashcards, audio tapes, etc. He provides an officeful of supplementary materials (hundreds of English story books, resource books, educational videos, instructional software, games, art and craft supplies, you name it. Plus, he pays all of his teachers better-than-average wages and furnishes them with better-than-average housing.

He's not rolling in the money by any stretch of the imagination. But he's making a difference in the lives of kids in a small town with relatively few educational opportunities and managing to support his family in the process, and that's all that really matters to him.

Beyond the office, his wife and her family are some of the kindest people I've ever met. In the time I've worked for him, I can't count the times his wife or sister-in-law has ordered pizza for the foreign teachers just to brighten our day. There's nary a birthday or anniversary they've forgotten, and it's not uncommon for them to show up with a box of juice or bag of fruit "just because." Plus, his mother keeps me stocked with homemade kimchi and sends porridge my way whenever I'm under the weather.

All in all, a great family to know and work for.

[Homer]

In the spirit of the thread,

Hail to my director.

She is open-minded, truly cares for the education of our students at the school.

Supports her staff (korean and foreign).

She is open to suggestions about curriculum and pays an annual trip to Cheju Do or another place in Korea for the entire staff once per year.

She will pay for Korean lessons for any of the foreign teachers who wish to take them and will try and arrange the schedule to accomodate such classes.

She organizes staff parties often and instituted a rotation program for the Academic supervisor position. This position is filled in turn by a different teacher every 4 months.

She pays on time and is generous of her time.

Her family is also very nice and invites all new teachers a bbq at their house when they get here. This gives them a chance to meet the staff and to adapt.
She send a personalized birthday gift and a cake to each teacher on his or her b-day.

She undertsands the worth of high morale in her staff.

She has been burnt by three foreign teachers in the past but remains kind and trustfull of her new teachers.

Best of all, she works with other directors to try and spread this attitude...

[crazylemongirl]

My headmaster is great... hardly ever see him and when I do it's usually because he wants to buy me dinner.

On the other hand my school was none too impressed by the scavenger hunt today when my kids were picking leaves off trees...

[jazblanc77]

Homer, where do you work? I want in!

[Juggertha]

OK.. I think I sould post some props to my boss as well.

She is one of the hardest workers I know. She puts in 12 hour days and never tires. While putting in these long hours she insists that she "would never dream of asking her teachers" to even do a few extra duties. Although as a manager I feel its her job to delegate abit more.. she loves to take it all on.

She backs up her teachers 100%. If a student complains about a teacher.. it is looked into fairly. And given the fact that truths are clouded, she usually sides with the teacher. She has been knowen to kick students out id they'd say something cross to a teacher (and refuse to appologize).

She is proud of her teachers. She thanks us ALL the time forthe job we're doing and gives us gifts quite often. Not only the usually "soap" holiday gifts but actually thoughtful presents.

In 30+ months of working with her she's never raised her voice at me..never once. She's gotten mad.. but never flown offthe handle.

She listens to suggestions. She doesnt always do them.. but she respects them and they often find their way into our school.



I've got more.. but I think you get the point. She's the reason i've stayed so long.

[riverboy]

SAME SAME.

Great Boss. I'm taking the girlfreind to his house tonight, for dinner.

[Homer]

jazblanc77,


You want in?

Well, lets see...when I leave this job (who knows when) I will let ya know...deal

As for many of the attributes mentionned in my post, she had them but some needed to be brought out by us using some convincing.

She did not just do it, we showed her , with facts and solid arguments why this might be better then that in certain areas.

Its often about having a bit of initiative and some drive.