Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Cheonmunka]

Recently, I read through a lot of the posts on Dave's. I was annoyed about some of the posts that write condescendingly about people being "Noobs" or "Newbies" etc.

On one of these, one was criticizing another, and from her nearly "two years experience" put the other down as being a "Newbie, obviously working in a kindy."

Well, well.

If people want to describe themselves as better it's fair, I guess. But it really is like looking down from a miniscule peak after having a relationship of just two years with Korea. And it is naivety to write about kindergarten teaching in the way written to make teaching it seem somehow incorrigible, low, and meaningless...

I work for a school that has a terrible reputation on Dave's, it is somewhat blacklisted, I think. I taught kindy at that school several years, but here's the catch, I'm returning to it. Why? Because it is good pay and good security. And fun. It was also (surprise, surprise) financially rewarding as time went by.

One should not lose sight that even after six years you will still be unpleasantly shocked by new occurences, and nicely surprised by new things that occur in Korea. Two years is still short.

Finally, out here in the real world all conditions are negotiable. One should not accept what others say about kindergarten, or any other job; if one feels right about it, accept conditions that suit you and go for it. It might be the best choice you make. It might not.
Different horses suit different courses.

[Barking Mad Lord Snapcase]

Some "veterans" seem to have this sanctimonious belief that they have a divine right to look down upon "newbies". Ultimately, it may have a lot to do with feelings of smug superiority that come with speaking the language fluently, holding chopsticks correctly, using a squat pot properly, getting perks because they know how to suck up to the boss etc etc etc. Strip away the pretense and you are essentially left with a lot of adolescents bragging about their Starcraft scores. What's worse, there are some on this board who actually stoop to expressing glee when newbies experience problems in Korea, and express nothing but smug superiority in lieu of advice. One recent thread saw some posters actually hoping that 70+ foreign teachers would recieve the full brunt of the law for teaching privates, when it seemed likely that the teachers in question had been decieved by their employers or recruiters.

Fortunately, your thoughtful post is proof that this veteran phenomenon is the exception, not the rule; and that those with an irresistible compulsion to brag/preach/gloat are more likely to post on this board in order to stay ahead of the bragging game.

[Cheonmunka]

Thanks.

I was thinking too about all those poor men who take "adult" jobs like real estate agents, bankers, high school teachers, etc, for the sake of appearances and societal norms, when in actuality being a kindy teacher means one is actively taking part in shaping the future. And, it does take skill, or rather, your teaching skills can be put to good use, still, in a kindy.
For males, it allows them to express their caring nature. They don't have to be conning people out of their money nor looking for the 'big score.' And, for me, it was/is far less stressful than teaching high school.
I much prefer to sit down to read aloud the "Three Bears" than anything else in the working-world. What a great, legitimate escape!

[the_beaver]

[Cheonmunka]

Maybe this line was the freak: 'conning people out of their money looking for the 'big score.'
I've been dealing with real estate agents , in my own country, lately. That is a build up of impressions. Funnily though, most of those agents were women... So it may be an unfortunate example I put on men.

So, I am unsatisfied and reflecting on why some people on this site consider kindy a lower form of occupation.
I have always thought that men get conditioned by others, moulded and shaped by the societal views around them. And "You're a noobie, you must be a kindy teacher," and "I can't wait to get a real [uni] job," reinforce that.

It is definately hardly ever true that a male is teaching kindergarten solely because he is too new to Korea to know better. It is a legitimate teacher's role. I espouse it strongly because of my stake in it. But mostly, this rant grew from my objections to it (the kindy teacher's role) being belittled by others.

[jajdude]

Agreed.

Let's not forget we are all "newbies" in any foreign country. Ten years even, still not exactly native.

Plus, kudos to us all for venturing to foreign lands.

[tommynomad]

Amen, jajdude.

And I've been an educator for 20 years, and BY FAR the most demanding group I've ever taught has been kindergarteners.