I know someone sarcastically started a thread to contrast the ranting/venting megathread, but some positivity isn't a bad idea.

Even if it's to share something good that your jaded asses never expected to happen during your time in this country   I don't expect this thread to stay on the front page too often, but I think it's nice to have a place to share those small victories on the off chance that we get them.

For example:
Today I was informed I'm being given control over 10% of my student's final grades.

TEN PERCENT.

THAT'S HUGE.

It's the same amount as the other older, more established Korean English teachers.  The head of the English department has 14%, for comparison.  The majority of the kids' grades are still made up of stupid standardized test scores, but I feel like this is a step in the right direction*. I'm honestly stunned

*Kids should be rewarded for individual progress and not just constantly slammed over the head with shitty national tests and ranked against one another.  Otherwise we end up with all the issues discussed in the "Why English is Failing Thread".

I like this! Though I have occasional instances where the ranting/venting thread would be appropriate, I'm generally having a pretty great time and it's nice to share the pleasant stuff.

Got four new teachers at my main school and they're all really nice! One guy even downloaded Google translate to try and speak English to me. None of them really speak much English but they at least try to talk to me.

At the end of the workday, the newbies dumped all the leftover snacks from today onto my desk and declared, "Your mission!" 

Yeah I think the positives are often missed; for myself as well.

This weekend I went with four of my coworkers (non-English) to Gwangyang for the 매화축제 (plus blossoms).  The place was packed with people and we had to park 7-8km away and walk with the crowds, but we had a really good time.  Later we all changed into our pajamas/comfy clothes and had fruit in the teacher's dorms once we got back.  We were going to go to the Gurye 산수유축제 (forsythia) next weekend, but I forgot I'm up in Seoul :\

So unlike a lot of people I have spoken to in the past year of teaching here, my co-teacher is an amazing human who is always looking out for me and taking care of me! She did make me pinky promise not to ride my new motorcycle around until I get my license taken care of, haha.

My school and all the faculty are pretty awesome and even though I live in a reeeeally tiny town I decided to re-sign anyways because everyone is so laid back and the students are so nice. Plus, there is an amazing temple behind my house and a really nice mountain where I can disappear into the woods when I want some me-time.

Since I've been here, I've been shown nothing but the most overwhelming generosity and kindness from my Korean friends and co-workers that reminds me of my Latino family back home. Traveling is the best thing ever and it becomes 182491874180724019 times better when you meet challenges and tough times with unflinching positivity. Even the tough times lead to more good times. Have fun out there!

Some of the buttgoats started blooming this weekend up in Seoul. Bit of a nice early surprise.

My school changed my schedule now I don't teach any classes on Mondays and enjoy a nice easy day to the start of the week.

I'm not being subjected to repeated campaign ads and bumper stickers. Yeah you get the ajummas here with their musical trucks, but they only last a month and then everything goes away. It's not an 18 month invasion and subjugation.

Nice thread for a Monday morning   

When I first got here I felt so overwhelmed by teaching, my workload and my co teacher.
I had no idea what I was doing, and was left to my own devices a lot, I felt like I wasn't appreciated and I felt like my co-t didn't really like me. Anyway, for whatever reason I decided to renew my contract back in December. Then, I found out I can't renew at this school and I have to move schools. Since I signed those papers, my school life has just got better and better. Me and my co get on really well now, to the point that I would consider her a friend. What seemed like a crazy workload due to seeing most of my classes at least 3 times a week, now feels great because I get to have a close relationship with my kids and know them on first name basis. I am really going to miss working in this small school! I feel sad that I have to move but happy that I'm leaving on such a lovely note 

My school and all the faculty are pretty awesome and even though I live in a reeeeally tiny town I decided to re-sign anyways because everyone is so laid back and the students are so nice. Plus, there is an amazing temple behind my house and a really nice mountain where I can disappear into the woods when I want some me-time.

Yes! My town is also tiny but I really like it. The students are great and discipline is rarely an issue (and when it is, it's so easy to fix). And I like everyone at work (with the exception of only one creepy/eccentric guy, but one bad egg out of over a dozen is pretty good odds, I think). Everyone is generally really kind! If my schools get funding to keep me on a second year, I'd seriously consider renewing.

Even though it's super rural, the nice thing is that the scenery is quite lovely! Mountains and water all around.

- My job is relatively easy.
- I'm paid relatively well.
- I fell in love and later this month my partner is moving in with me. LIFE IS HAPPENING 

Angelinkorea, you needed to step up there. You let a 6th grader go unpunished for hitting another student, and a younger student at that.