"you're GREAT! but..."

[Olga]

has anyone ever had their school tell them "your teaching is great" and give you rave reviews ... just to have them say "but we're not rehiring you because of personal issues?"

[dostoevsky_21_81]

Care to expand?

[Olga]

ha! sorry... thought it sent complete.

so basic jist (and obviously from my point of view...) ive never been late, only took one day sick, have my work done all the time, do what i am told.  i do ask questions mostly because ive had two different CTs (one is barely 21, the other one left because she was pregnant) and I never really honestly got direction as to what was expected.  I did the best I could.  I had a huge personality clash with the previous CT given that she was known as the one that liked to control people and always tell them they did something wrong.  I dont mind criticism at all but if you arent given me reasons, there's not much to go by, you know?

What is my fault: I didnt go to dinners.  not because i didnt want to, but because im allergic to most of the food (seafood/mushrooms) hahaha so i guess that is a strike.  the second one, i was probably hot tempered with my CT when she yelled at me infront of an entire class of 6th graders telling me "im too american".   

my 4th graders really, really like me.  ive had parents come and tell me that too and when i got observed by a master teacher, she personally came to tell me she really liked how i taught. so i thought all along i was doing a good job until recently when they told me the previous CT gave me a low grade and that some students complained.  I'm assuming those students were 6th graders.

I genuinely want to hear other people's stories if this has happened to them: you think all is well and going great and then boom! surprise... they just dont like you.  and if you have any advice, i'd greatly appreciate it.

[glitterstarbeau]

I feel like I read here they can't not rehire you if you're doing a good job.  You are public school, I assume.  Call the higher ups and see if you can work something out.  That is, if you want to stay.

[dostoevsky_21_81]

If you've had disagreements with your CT, and openly, then who knows what they've told the VP and Principal.  And I've found the relationship you have with your CT makes a the difference.  I've had a great relationship with all three of my CT's. In fact, I had a disagreement with the school about how much I should be teaching during the summer vacation, and both of my CT's went and spoke to the VP and Principal, and things were changed in my favour.

As for your situation, I would try and sit down with the school administration and find out why they won't hire you.  If that doesn't work, phone your provincial office and see what your rights are (if you still want to stay, which I would think would be awkward seeing is how they don't want to re-sign you).

[cragesmure]

ha! sorry... thought it sent complete.

so basic jist (and obviously from my point of view...) ive never been late, only took one day sick, have my work done all the time, do what i am told.  i do ask questions mostly because ive had two different CTs (one is barely 21, the other one left because she was pregnant) and I never really honestly got direction as to what was expected.  I did the best I could.  I had a huge personality clash with the previous CT given that she was known as the one that liked to control people and always tell them they did something wrong.  I dont mind criticism at all but if you arent given me reasons, there's not much to go by, you know?

What is my fault: I didnt go to dinners.  not because i didnt want to, but because im allergic to most of the food (seafood/mushrooms) hahaha so i guess that is a strike.  the second one, i was probably hot tempered with my CT when she yelled at me infront of an entire class of 6th graders telling me "im too american".   
Why did she yell at you if she was being "too American"?

As far as I can see, you have two choices:
1.  Get a new job, and continue as you were, or
2.  Get a new job, and try to be a lot more open to Korean "culture", bow down to the higher-ups (both literally and metaphorically) and toe the line all the way down the line.
For the most part, Koreans know how bad the education system is, but they have no desire to change it, and certainly don't want outsiders telling them that they should do so.  Particularly outsiders that use terms like "jist" and "infront".
Long story short, you aren't going to change anything regarding the situation you are in.  The job is gone.  Move on, learn from it, or don't.  At the end of the day, it really doesn't matter that much, either way.

[Olga]

thanks for the comments.  specially from cragesmure who can't tell the difference between people talking outside work and how we'd talk at work.  good job, bud!

[Morticae]

I'd argue it is your job to teach words such as "jist." Such words are unique and used in speaking, this is something they can't study very easily from a book. I devote entire classes to these kinds of words (slang & idioms) a few times each semester. Certainly don't let anybody on these forums persuade you to teach a certain style.

At any rate, to the topic at hand... I find relationships to be the most important thing in Korea. I think most people would agree. Your teaching ability is actually not that important (this is kind of shocking, no?). My biggest asset is how much my VP likes me. We drink together, he tells everybody that I am his son, etc. These relationships are important, and they can be good fun. Co-teacher relationships are also important, but obviously less so than your principal and CT. Lastly, keep on good terms with your students.

I know you're in a tough position, but in the future try to integrate into the "system" more. Occasionally I wont go to dinners, but I try to make it most times. I didn't go on the teacher trip we just had, but I know they wont hold it against me. But if you have no relationship, or a rocky relationship, you should go. Once you establish the relationships (particularly with the elder faculty), you're pretty much golden and you have a bit more wiggle room.

My school gave me rave reviews and I felt I had a rather mediocre year. I'm usually not satisfied with my lessons and I hope to improve on them each year.

Contact your district coordinator and tell them your situation (casting yourself only in a positive light). Maybe you can get a transfer. See if your school will give you a recommendation.

Sorry if my post was long and boring. I know I don't share your experience, but I thought you wouldn't mind reading about my experiences and opinions on whether or not schools like you.

[Olga]

@morticae:

thank you so much.  i figured i sort of messed it up with the relationships.  its hard to make the adjustment from being in a "western" enviornment for so long that you think skipping out on these things are normal.  epic fail.

[Sara]

Please remember to keep replies professional and on-topic. This is your first of three warnings.

[Cereal]

Gist or GIST May refer to: Essence, the central or main substance IDEA;

infront should have a space: in front

So no problems, just a simple spelling error cragesmure. We've all made 'em (oops, I made one there)

I sympathize with your plight Olga. I think it may be time to move on. Would you be comfortable fighting, winning and staying?

[gilbert.a.h]

The question of your post is "Has anyone else experienced this?" And the answer for me is "No, I haven't."

Are you with GEPIK?

[Yu_Bumsuk]

I've heard this story a number of times before. Like Cereal said, if that's how they feel you probably don't want to stay there anyways. It sucks that employers suddenly put an end to what's seemed like a good relationship, but then remember that teachers do it all the time.

[BSTIMELESS]

I understand this situation all too well...

I am by no means perfect.
But I am more than punctual (I arrive at school @ 7:30am).
Do as I'm told.
Always polite.
Always leave school between 4:30pm and 5:00pm.
Extremely healthy. Never taken off from school due to health issues.
Well liked by teachers, students and parents.
Long story short: I am having a wonderful time with my students and school!!

HOWEVER, as soon as we got a new vice principal, I have been criticized incessantly.
I don't mind criticism. Truly. But it is more to do with the VP power issues.
In fact she has been in a few "confrontations" with other teachers for her brutal criticism.

Long story short, I wouldn't take it to heart.
Get up and move on.