Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bhog]

Here's my situation: (sorry a tad long)
I started at a public school last month. The students and most of the teachers are great.
BUT, the day of my arrival I found my MAIN co-teacher to be a little bit cold and prickly. I was as nice as possible to the unfriendly co-teacher, and thought maybe this is a cultural thing, or maybe she's a little shy, etc. Now after being bumped up over 30 teaching hrs/week, and w/ this particular co-teacher, who is basically the only really proficient English speaker at the school getting more and more difficult to work with on a daily basis, I'm wondering about my options. We're basically not even on speaking terms, and conversations are most times not pleasant.
I have tried to go along w/ her many demands, as I'm a new teacher and understand that I have a lot to learn.
Maybe because I have little experience, or am an American, or because they had a rock star as a previous Native teacher I'm not living up her to expectations, but I DO try and this is getting a little stressful. I understand that I may be a little slower than average at producing lesson plans, but I have to produce them for regular classes plus special class and teachers class. She wants all of these turned in every Monday, but I don't have enought time during school hrs to make them all because of the teaching load. I'm a pretty laid back person who hasn't had trouble getting along w/ co-workers in the past.
Also, the apartment that I got wasn't what was in the contract. I basically have a room w/ a single bed, and no furniture. I requested a sofa but I haven't received a response on that. There were also no cooking utensils, iron, etc provided. Although these are minor things compared to the teacher troubles.
I'm not ready to go home, but this situation is bugging the hell out of me. What would you do? What are my options?

[Ya-ta Boy]

This is a sticky one. Sorry about your predicament.

The bad news is that there isn't much you can do.

I hope you are being paid extra for your extra teaching hours. But this brings up the idea of salary and wage. Teachers normally get a salary and can expect to spend time outside of school doing school work. I know things here seem to be based on the idea that teachers are hourly wage earners, but that shouldn't be true.

One thing you can do is to use the 'free days' when the students are all taking tests to make long-range teaching plans.

I wish I could think of something else to help out, but that's all that comes to mind.

[babtangee]

Handing in lesson plans once a week doesn't sound unreasonable to me (though I'd hate to have to do it, I couldn't rightfully complain if I did).

Teaching 30 plus hours a week sounds freakin' terrible. Is that 30 hours or 30 classes? Are you getting paid overtime? If I had to teach 30 hours, and I had a snakey co-teacher, I'd probably take her head off the first time she looked at me sideways.

Is your co-teacher teaching the same number of classes as you (is she in all your classes)? If so I'm quite sure that's the reason for her bitterness. Korean teachers rarely teach more than 24 classes (not hours); this being overladen with classes is for foreign teacher humps only. Also, Korean English teachers in public schools get no respect from their peers; they are looked down upon, and are thus generally resentful about their position.

I'd consider changing jobs. If the school isn't fully inline with their contract obligations I'd start demanding that they fix that. If there is a maximum number of contact hours I'm contracted to teach, I'd insist I do not teach one class over it. I'd write an official letter making the demands. If they failed to comply with the contract thereafter, I'd be contacting the labour board and request their help in getting my school to shape up or ship me out.

[babtangee]

double post