School treating me like crap since I told them I'm not re-signing

[airrazr1986]

I'm with a public middle school in Seoul. I've known since the start of this contract (2nd year) that I wouldn't be renewing for a third but waited to notify my coworkers until the paperwork had to be submitted, because I didn't want any bad blood or anything like that.

So, I told them this week that I wouldn't be renewing. Coincidentally, I was told today that for the first time in my two years here, I'm being forced to deskwarm at the school while the students/staff go on a trip, and that I have to stay at school from 8 to 4. The secretary and I will be the only people here, but whatever. Prior to this, I always had the days off or went on the trips.

They've also made a speaking test schedule over the next two weeks so that on several days, I have to give the tests for 6 straight periods (the entire school day) while other days, I only have two periods of speaking tests.

I get the feeling the VP feels slighted that I'm not renewing and is now pushing me as far as he can while he knows I have no recourse, because technically they're totally within their rights. Has anyone else experienced this? What should I do to prevent being walked on?

[mod edit: subject edited to avoid confusion]

[manonthemoon]

I would advise that you do as they ask if you intend to renew with a different school! If you are leaving Korea, I would advise that you still be profession. It is your job, and they are within their rights to request you do these things. It may be a coincidence, or they may be really annoyed! Was your relationship good otherwise?

I also told some of my teachers that I won't be renewing (after my third year at my school ) but I was honest about my reasons why, and they understood. I have actually had the opposite reaction, many teachers have said they will be sad to see me go, and teachers who didn't talk to me before, have now started too, after hearing the news! I don't know if they are happy that I am finally going, or they are just being nice cos I will be leaving! I hope its the latter. ha ha.

Anyway, do as they ask, i hope it's not personal against you! It's always hard to tell.

[huynhln1]

It sucks that this is happening to you.

I don't know if there's anything you can do about this. It doesn't seem like the school administration is doing anything illegal or outside of your contract. They're also not harrassing you. It doesn't seem like they're at fault--just more strict. If you are right and your Vice Principal is taking it personally, he's still acting within professional boundaries. Perhaps you'll just have to endure it for the rest of your time there. Having to work more might be better than a confrontation that results in you working more AND awkwardness/tension between yourself and the staff.

Since I told my school about not renewing, they've guilt-tripped me everyday and some teachers still ask me to reconsider. They've even told me that the reason I want to leave is not worth it. My Principal jokingly called me a 'betrayer,' but it still hurt my feelings.

[ame]

Perhaps they are treating you like crap to make you resign.

[Jeff Winston]

Youd have to be walked on to "prevent" being walked on.

You have to deskwarm, oh no!, Read a book, you don't have to teach classes, you're not being asked to teach more classes or anything, so you're not being walked on. You also have no proof that this decision has to do with you not re-signing, you know Korea a parent could have complained that you went on the last one or something and they told you last minute ( much like you did)

You have to gives tests some days for 6 hours, and others for 2, um yeah? but in the end the number of total tests doesn't change right? So your complaint is that on some days its too much, on other days it's too little? Are you going to go to a bear's house after that and start trying out the chairs, the porridge and the beds

I am always baffled by the teachers that say they are being treated unfairly or walked and regale us with tales of " I have to deskwarm" You may have a feeling the VP is doing something with abosultely no evidence that he is.

So what can you do, finish your contract and go home.  Before you do that though, try putting things into perspective and loosen the heck up. You're leaving, I don't think they expect you to teach there till you retire. The average teacher stays at a Public School job for about 16 months( I would guess) they got you for two years. Why do you think they would hate you for this?

[Sara]

It's unfortunate that they're treating you differently now, but as you mentioned they are fully within their contracted rights as your employer. You're not being walked on. Before they were granting you favors because they wanted something in return, and now they're not. It has to be difficult since you've already experienced those perks, but keep in mind, hundreds of NETs have to deskwarm and work 8 hours a day.

I would try to give them a good reason for your leaving, even if it's exaggerated. I told my school that I loved them but I wanted to move to a different city because our current city is too small. They were very understanding. In actuality, my principal is a total slave driver...some things are better left unsaid.

Perhaps this is just a wave of animosity because they feel like you're abandoning them. Hopefully it will pass. In the meantime, be kind. Don't demand perks that aren't in your contract. Instead, try bringing everyone food. Best of luck.

[DWAEDGIMORIGUKBAP]

Jeff Winston really does not understand Korean culture.  By not re-signing the OP has actually caused the school to lose face.  Had he said it is because he is going home - then no problem. 

But if not then it means he is choosing another school over their school which is the best in the world and thus is a traitor and selish etc...

Think telling your gf you are leaving her for aother girl and that's about it.

Sounds extreme?  Welcome to Korean culture 101.

[sj84]

Not wanting to be 'one of those people', but 'resigning' means quitting. Don't forget to add a hyphen!!

Pet hate of mine, sorry! None of us are perfect.

OP. That sucks. Actually, my VP made me desk warm full days this week while the students were away on camp. Never been the case in the past - although it's consistent with all the other staff that didn't go on the camp. Maybe you VP just wants to play it by the book.

Just hang in there. Maybe some 'thank you and farewell' gifts might smooth things over until you leave.

[derbear86]

It sounds like you got a tough break, but like you said, he has only asked of you what you originally signed on for in the contract. So I'm not sure I'd call that being walked on and I don't think there is really much you can do about it either.  Also, in the title of your post, you ought to change resign to re-sign. To resign means to leave your position, and gives off the impression that your school is treating you badly because they want you to leave. This is not the case. Best of luck to you.

[Ollie84]

OP- you are not being walked on.

[Jeff Winston]

Jeff Winston really does not understand Korean culture. 

I am married to a  Korean, been with her for 7 years, lived with her for 6 years have a child with her and currently we live with her parents. I have forgotten more about Korean culture than most people here ( who are not a gyopo) know. So you can stop with baseless assumptions thanks.

Did he say leaving for another school? No he said not re-signing, I am not reading into his comments any more information than he puts forth. he said he's being walked on, he isn't.

Not renewing a contract doesnt cause the school to lose face. Perhaps if he's doing it for the reasons you state ( going to another school etc) then you MAY have a case for them losing face, but seeing as though he's only been there for two years he's not getting transferred and he is clearly leaving SMOE/EPIK  he also states that he knew he wasnt going to sign a third when he started the second. Sounds like a man who simply wants a change, or perhaps wishes to return home.

[Za]

I totally agree. This Winston guy doesn't know JACK, but is clearly on his high horse dishing out criticism. Just because it has not happened to you does not mean it's not happening.

When my old school found out I was leaving they were cool about it. When I told the education dept. however, I was totally mistreated. The guy there who dealt with the foreign teachers hated the fact that I was going to another school. My cousin and I left together. He was going back home. I on the hand was moving to a bigger city. He chose to give my cousin a reference letter. When I asked if I could have one too, he just refused. I have never been so upset in my life. Wanted to strangle the guy. I then asked my school and they gladly gave one. The problem is the one my cousin got was in English. My schools one is in Korean so I cant use it out of this country.

Truth is they are gonna be a bit weird with you leaving, and they will treat you differently. Sad thing is I don't really know what you can do other than accept it and just leave on good terms, unless the situation gets really outta hand. Sorry, and I know how this feels.

[Rutten]

oh no! a normal workday and having to give students tests.. in a school!

and you don't get to go on a trip?! maybe they'll leave you ice cream in the freezer and a box of tissues so you can cry and eat yourself out of depression while they're away having fun.

treating you 'like crap', my behind.. treating you different than ur used to, sure, but come on, man, it's your job.

[oskinny1]

Jeff Winston really does not understand Korean culture.  By not re-signing the OP has actually caused the school to lose face.  Had he said it is because he is going home - then no problem. 

But if not then it means he is choosing another school over their school which is the best in the world and thus is a traitor and selish etc...

Think telling your gf you are leaving her for aother girl and that's about it.

Sounds extreme?  Welcome to Korean culture 101.

Yes, in Korean culture if you ever say "no" to anything it is like dumping your girlfriend for another girl. Why are Koreans all a bunch of whiny ㅘ가시? 

[Jeff Winston]

I totally agree. This Winston guy doesn't know JACK, but is clearly on his high horse dishing out criticism. Just because it has not happened to you does not mean it's not happening.

I don't know jack eh? Yeah okay, again read my previous post. As for "because it hasnt happenned  to me doesn't mean it's not happening, um there you would be making a baseless assumption as well, one that is actually totally false.

 Ive been asked to deskwarm after previously getting "vacation days" that werent booked because the school is under a tighter microscope and didnt want to risk it, NO PROBLEM that happens, I don't view it as unfair that I have to deskwarm now when I didnt before ( Same as the OP - I used to not have to deskwarm, it was a BONUS that I didnt have to, something they did to be nice, now I do, and coincidentally I am leaving, so in actuality the EXACT same thing is happenning to me, how is it unfair?  (i have also two years in a row now been granted permission to leave the country a week early for Christmas, the DOE has a bit of a closer eye on me, and the Principal is a bit less relaxed about this "bonus time" this year)

I am not on a high horse, what he is saying is in NO WAY unfair nor  is he being walked on, you guys need to get a clue.

[katrink2]

Based on the information you gave us, I'm gonna have to agree with the other posters--OP, it doesn't sound like you're being punished, it just sounds like you had it really good before, and how you have it like the rest of us.

Deskwarming can be pretty great, and a chance to get a lot of things done--take an online class, apply for jobs, etc. Try it out, you might like it.

[bktetsujin]

When I told my school that I wanted to go back to the states, and asked if I could use my vacation days to leave early (since it didn't interrupt with the school schedule, they were fine), they were fine with it. My work load hasn't changed, and not one person has tried to talk me out of it. Also, for my reason on leaving, I told them that I haven't seen anyone in my family for three years (true). So I made sure they would accept "I want to go home" reason instead of the "I can't wait to get out of this country" reason (actually, BOTH are true. heh).

They don't talk to me much now and there's a little less communication with co-teaching. They understand the parts I'm strong with and take over the 10% that they know they're needed for (classroom management and game rule clarification). I think it's best this way. Just tough it out for these last months. Your school doesn't sound to unreasonable. I always have to desk warm. It's part of the job. Good luck!

[Rutten]

you guys need to get a clue.

seconded

[jimiready]

I'm with a public middle school in Seoul. I've known since the start of this contract (2nd year) that I wouldn't be renewing for a third but waited to notify my coworkers until the paperwork had to be submitted, because I didn't want any bad blood or anything like that.

So, I told them this week that I wouldn't be renewing. Coincidentally, I was told today that for the first time in my two years here, I'm being forced to deskwarm at the school while the students/staff go on a trip, and that I have to stay at school from 8 to 4. The secretary and I will be the only people here, but whatever. Prior to this, I always had the days off or went on the trips.

They've also made a speaking test schedule over the next two weeks so that on several days, I have to give the tests for 6 straight periods (the entire school day) while other days, I only have two periods of speaking tests.

I get the feeling the VP feels slighted that I'm not renewing and is now pushing me as far as he can while he knows I have no recourse, because technically they're totally within their rights. Has anyone else experienced this? What should I do to prevent being walked on?

[mod edit: subject edited to avoid confusion]

Sounds like youve had a pretty good run of it up to now with days off and going on trips...be thankful of the time so far and dont let it get to you! Put your head down and head for the finish line!
Any chance it could be coincidence? If not- pretend it is -and smile and bow as you walk past the VP...

[k.l.]

I dunno if I would call it getting walked on. The students come back super tired anyways. The trips are a bit over rated. The test thing? That is kind of odd, but not out of the ordinary if they suddenly stated that.

I would just say tread lightly and dont let them push you too much. If worse comes to worse and things actually do get crazy...like they ask you to clean the bathroom with a toothbrush or something...then it's time to worry.

I'm curious as to how many teachers are actually going on their school trips? I don't like going because it's not comfortable. About the testing...I have input on their grades, so I do interviews for all students in 1st and 3rd grade at my school. Nothing fancy, but allows me to check their progress. Now is the best time for me spread over a week next week. I would hate to do it later in July when blazing hot.

Hope things get better.