Answers to your Questions

An After School teacher....

Last December I met with a woman who was the president of the After School Agency. We met and had a lunch in order to discuss job duties, responsibilities and basically my future. It was a short meeting but the main point that I addressed was Teaching time. I wanted to know what my responsibilities were. I was told that I was a co-teacher, I would only teach part of the time (maybe most) I would be paid to teach 4 hours maybe 5 or 6 depending on the school. I would work from 12pm to 6pm or somewhere within those hours. I cared a lot because I take my job seriously.

When I started working at Anmin I was told I would just teach with only one teacher per day and switch the next day. I wouldn't teach 20 minutes and switch classrooms like I originally was told but I would just stay in the same classroom the entire day. I thought that the Korean teacher would translate, initiate the activities at least part time or help me design the curriculum. I am being paid to fulfill my duties as best as I can. I am getting no communication or direction from the Korean staff. Its important that they do their job. They need to stay in the classroom and control the kids at the bare minimum. They need to give some explanations when my lesson is too hard.

Lastly, they shouldn't critique my decisions or strategies. I wanted to have the kids practice some writing.  How do you spell April, May etc. The material seems to always be to hard. I treat the kids like someone who has to learn because they certainly don't want to learn. I am furious that my material is disregarded and challenged.

Today I wanted to have the kids raise their hands and give me the answer something really basic and unheard of here in Korea the Korean teacher told me to not have them raise their hands. She said shouting is OK. Lady what planet do you live on? I don't want that in MY classroom.

I hope this answers your questions. I would like to discuss in more detail. I have asked you all many times to please attach your email address or facebook or something so I can learn more about your perspectives. WE should share strategies and ideas.

I don't even know who all of you are Katherine, but maybe I would like to.

Yes I only teach 4 hours but its ironic because most people teach 6 hours. I don't care about the time, the money or the location I just want respect is that too much to ask for? I am trying my best I have for as you mentioned Bryant nearly 3 years. I think my teaching deserves some merit.

Also, most foreigners are always trying to get more money with private teaching and always thinking of doing less and getting more. I just do my job the way I was told and take criticism that isn't earned with a grain of salt. I  am not defending myself but trying to do the thing that is right.