Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Catalina]

Hello folks,

Need to check in on this event and get some opinions.

Our school runs a kindy from 9-2 that includes a lunch for the kiddies. The Kindy is run by a Korean teacher and the foreign teachers have scheduled sessions.

The other day another foreign teacher noticed one kiddie in the lunch room all by himself just bawling. She went in to see what was up and the Korean teacher told her to leave. The little kiddie had not finsihed his lunch. The foreign teacher tried to console the kiddie and was again told to leave. So, rather upset, she left and came to see me. We chatted about it for a bit and I went to look in the window. I could see the kid was crying but his plate was amost empty so I figured he was on his way out.

A few minutes later we see the Korean teacher return with more food. We watched as she shovelled more food onto this kid's plate and then began to forcibly feed him. He looked like a chipmunk because his cheeks were so stuffed. By this time he was crying so hard that his body was shaking.

So, I went into the room and asked the teacher why she was feeding him more food, did she notice the kid was upset, why was she doing this, etc. etc. All I got was the blank look and her telling me that the kid could finish it. Feeling I was faced with ripping the bowl out of her hands or leaving, I left but was really bothered by it.

So, my questions:

Is this a normal Korean kiddie feeding ritual that I have not witnessed?

If not - what's the best plan for intervention.

And, finally, if it's cultural how can I be completely respectful when so much of my experience disagrees with the method? How can I monkeywrench with the system and appear to cooperate? (Guess that's a big question that could apply to life in Korea).

Ciao,

Catalina

[itaewonguy]

emmm seems like its the way the korean teacher handles situations, maybe because thats how she was raised and she has been working their too long but needs the money so she stays! she sounds pissed off and takes it out on other peoples kids!!

emmm you need to see where you stand in that school , the korean teacher is she higher rank than you? or is she just a teacher?
if so if that student is one of your students then you have a right to step in,, next time walk up to her grab the plate from her hand, pick up the kid and DONT SAY ANYTHING! and walk out of the room holding the child and take him somewhere to calm him/she down!!

when it comes back to you from the boss and you meet in the office, you say! im sorry but I dont see the education in forcing a child to eat while he is crying and shaking in fear. We are supposed to keep the children happy arent we?..

the korean woman will try to talk a lot of crap to save her face, you stick to your guns!
remember you are a contract teacher not so easy to let you go!
she can be fired and replaced in a day!
just say I am a full time teacher here, foreigner or korea I have a responsibility to the child, its PARENTS and this school, and what I witnessed from that korean teacher was not the actions of a teacher!! but an over stressed individual who needs to calm down her emotions and realise she is dealing with a CHILD!!!

if that doesnt work, call the childs parents!!
stand your ground!!
but I have done it before,so I know what you saying, she asks you to leave and you think whats happening is wrong! just pick up the kid and take it out!! simple!!
who the hell does she thing she is!! just because she is korean and you a foreigner I DONT THINK SO!!!!

[anae]

I have seen Korean teachers feed children and encourage them to eat, but never force feeding. I don't agree with this method if this is the case. However, parents have been known to complain about kids coming home hungry, and this may be where it seems from. Try and treat the teacher as a professional and intervene in a way that you would feel comfortable with if you were in her shoes. Ask about the policy about eating. If you get the bad news that they eat or else, suggest alternate ways or ask her to help you develop alternatives. If you still don't get the response you want, approach the director and ask about the policy and make suggestions.

You tend to catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.