Korean Job Discussion Forums

DaeguKid · Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Location: Daegu

Hi folks...long time reader, first time writer...thought I would join to read opinions, give opinions and ask for some help in terms of pointing me in the right direction as well as do the same for others.

So I would like my first post to tell you about my job. After two years and change in the hogwon industry I landed a job at a top private elemantry school back in March 2005. I was on cloud nine. Monday to Friday. An ok apartment, day shifts (8:30-4:30), nice kids, and the best part of all was the 10 weeks vacation I had received a year. Coming from the hogwon I could not be any happier!
My first year was great. Went home for a month in the summer and S.E. Asia on the beach for my winter vacation. Had my evenings off to do privates and pick up extra money....no complaints really. But if there was one to be had, it was not being able to leave work after finishing my classes and paper work. I dont get Koreans sometimes...when your done everything, whats the point of making someone sit there and twiddle their thumbs....anyhow

Then my second year began! Let me explain something first. The principal (a nun-irrelavent) hired me. This woman was a fossil. Very very old but nice. At the end of the last school year she retired and my colleague, a grade one homeroom teacher who is also a nun, took over as principal for this year.

It was downhill right off the bat. On her first day on the job I was in the office doing something and made a point to congratulate her on her new position. The woman ignored me. Though last year it was always smiles and hellos in the hallway.

At the sametime, we had this other homeroom teacher who started the sameday as me. He goes by the name Mr.Ye. He is so enthusiastic about English, that at our opening school party he got extremely drunk, was on all fours in the restaurant and telling the foriegn teachers "I reeeeallllyyy LOVE ENGLISH!"

Well this year, our new principal told Mr. Ye whatever idea he has that can make the english program better please go ahead and do it. Thats when sh!t hit the fan.

He created levelling. Where we have a upper class and a lower learning class where as before it was split up by student numbers. Now, we got upper level kids calling lower level kids stupid.

He introduced TOEIC classes where my job is too push play on a tape player and thats pretty much it. I dont know who hates it more, me or the kids. The students are not maximizing the full useage of the waygook at all.

I can go on and on about what he has done, and sometimes I may not agree with it, but when it comes to him i keep my mouth closed and do my work. But I can be a hard head too...and this guy is adament about demanding respect, but has never taught an English class in his life and refuses to listen to myself or any of the other foriegn teachers ideas or comments. Heads have butted.

So, it has led to this...we had parents meeting last week on Tuesday and Wednesday...they went great. I got applause from the trophy wife moms, positive feedback reports...the works.

As soon as the meetings were done we were asked to have a meeting with the principal. Who by the way told the foriegn teachers not to talk in the lunchroom anymore (probably b/c she doesnt understand what we say) It went like this, in translation: "your parents meeting were great, thank you for your teaching, when is your last day?" The 16th i replied. "Move out that day please" End of meeting.

I had zero intention of returning, but man that was one unprofessional way to let someone go. My take is that since she didnt originally hire myself as well as the other teachers, her ego hates the fact that we work there. As well, she had some thought in her head that if she told us this before our parents meetings that we would drop the ball and make the school look bad....which is not the case at all. I love my kids and its called professionalism.

Anyhow, any comments, suggestions about how I should walk out of there on my last day, anything for that matter, are welcomed. Sorry if you found this too long winded but at times that is how i write. As for Mr.Ye, I got so many stories to share with you about this clown, they will come in due time. But here is a good one to start. Last year he showed his Grade 5 students the film Texas Chain Saw Massacre. This guy is a jacka$$! I dont know about you but if my kid told me that, I would be having words with that guy...

Anyhow, looking forward to your comments....
DK

Rey Mysterio 619 · Joined: 27 Nov 2006 Location: 619 Connect

Nice post, good to see that you aren't too bitter. I would just move out on the 16th, maybe head to S-E Asia for a while, stash my stuff at a buddy's place, then come back and look for a new job.

No point in trying to change that Ye fella; stuff like that always backfires in the end.

So it's true what they say then hey, nuns have no fun and all that?

DaeguKid · Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Location: Daegu

Cheers Rey...actually i already have a university job lined up. During the meeting I was debating about asking about asking for my letter of release right then and there so I could get my paper work started for me new job. Due time....

oneofthesarahs · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Location: Sacheon City

DaeguKid · Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Location: Daegu

jennateacher · Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 4:34 am Post subject:

I too work at a catholic school. Mine is a high school.

Over the winter vacation I went back to the states for a month. I got one email from my director. It was polite and breezy dropping the bomb of " The new principal arrived yesterday."

Similar changes to what you describe. The new P mentioned to the English Dept. that I should do listening class. He never talked to me, so I continued to do what I had the previous year. The first P let me have mid terms and finals weeks off. New P has me come in everyday just to come in. I come in, internet for an hour, then leave.

I know I have Jan off. Last year I had Feb too, only came in for graduation. This year I am sure I will be going in just to internet for an hour.

Not all pricipals have the same vision. I think being "inhierited" from the previous principal is not such a good thing here.

DaeguKid · Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Location: Daegu

[quote="jennateacher"] This year I am sure I will be going in just to internet for an hour.

I envy you Jenna. At least you can leave. Somedays my kids go on field trips and I have to sit there for 8 hours. Its a freaking joke. Looking forward to my new uni job in March. Come and go. Do your job and that is all they ask of one. Much more realistic.

jennateacher · Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 4:42 am Post subject:

When I was first offered the contract they wanted me to stay on campus for 40 hours a week. I negotiated with them to get it down to 10 office hours and 17 teaching. One hour of teaching is teachers that never show up. If they did, I, and the other teachers in the room, would know they did not really speak English.