RANTING/VENTING MEGATHREAD 3.0

Coteachers. Coteachers. Coteachers. Coteachers. Coteachers. Approximately 97% of my issues stem in some way from my coteachers.

I teach high school and these days the third graders don't even bother coming to class half the time.  My CT will catch me in the corridor and say "oh, they didn't want to have a class with you today".

Oh!!  I didn't realise they get to choose! 

I love the fact that I'm literally getting paid to drink coffee and browse the internet all day* because the students have decided they don't want to have classes with me. 

*I mean...erm...learn coding and watch TED talks

I'm really starting to resent going into my third grade classes due to how pointless it has all become. They are lovely kids and I will miss them when they are gone, but their exams are finished, what is the point?

In the UK the academic term is from September to around the 20th July. In year 11 which is 15/16 you take your final exams around May to early June and you enjoy an extra long summer break. I remember it well, it was such a great time in my life; from staying up till 4am playing playstation to seeing my friends every day, it was awesome. There was no coming back doing nonsense until July. Let the kids have a nice long break where they can actually be kids. Let them have fun before they have the (futile) stresses of High School to deal with. I really do feel sorry for them, it's not fair at all.

The other day my ct mentioned how its hard to control them now their tests are over. Fortunately, I haven't had too much of an issue, just yet at least, but can you blame them? If we had to come back to school until July after our final exams which we had spent the last 4 years prepping for, we would have come in fuelled on resentment.

Your third grade classes are done already?  What about your 4th, 5th, or 6th graders?

That is poor planning on your teacher's part.

There are loads of review activities and engaging stand alone lessons you can do until the end of the term.

Good luck.

Middle school, clown.

I deleted my post.

I didn't know there were any NETS remaining in the public school system here.

I'm really starting to resent going into my third grade classes due to how pointless it has all become. They are lovely kids and I will miss them when they are gone, but their exams are finished, what is the point?

In the UK the academic term is from September to around the 20th July. In year 11 which is 15/16 you take your final exams around May to early June and you enjoy an extra long summer break. I remember it well, it was such a great time in my life; from staying up till 4am playing playstation to seeing my friends every day, it was awesome. There was no coming back doing nonsense until July. Let the kids have a nice long break where they can actually be kids. Let them have fun before they have the (futile) stresses of High School to deal with. I really do feel sorry for them, it's not fair at all.

The other day my ct mentioned how its hard to control them now their tests are over. Fortunately, I haven't had too much of an issue, just yet at least, but can you blame them? If we had to come back to school until July after our final exams which we had spent the last 4 years prepping for, we would have come in fuelled on resentment.

Your third grade classes are done already?  What about your 4th, 5th, or 6th graders?

That is poor planning on your teacher's part.

There are loads of review activities and engaging stand alone lessons you can do until the end of the term.

Good luck.

Middle school, clown.

Why so hostile Steve?  Having a rough day?

Why so hostile Steve?  Having a rough day?

If you understand Mr. Bruce.  I don't think he was being hostile.

He was simply stating his position, as a middle school clown (he refers to those that are not certified, as "clowns").

I'm really starting to resent going into my third grade classes due to how pointless it has all become. They are lovely kids and I will miss them when they are gone, but their exams are finished, what is the point?

In the UK the academic term is from September to around the 20th July. In year 11 which is 15/16 you take your final exams around May to early June and you enjoy an extra long summer break. I remember it well, it was such a great time in my life; from staying up till 4am playing playstation to seeing my friends every day, it was awesome. There was no coming back doing nonsense until July. Let the kids have a nice long break where they can actually be kids. Let them have fun before they have the (futile) stresses of High School to deal with. I really do feel sorry for them, it's not fair at all.

The other day my ct mentioned how its hard to control them now their tests are over. Fortunately, I haven't had too much of an issue, just yet at least, but can you blame them? If we had to come back to school until July after our final exams which we had spent the last 4 years prepping for, we would have come in fuelled on resentment.

Your third grade classes are done already?  What about your 4th, 5th, or 6th graders?

That is poor planning on your teacher's part.

There are loads of review activities and engaging stand alone lessons you can do until the end of the term.

Good luck.

Middle school, clown.

Why so hostile Steve?  Having a rough day?

Didn't have the patience for his condescending tone ("poor planning"). Additionally, I think there was enough for him to deduce that I was not an elementary teacher.

Pecan is well known for not being able to comprehend someone else having an independent experience that differs from his own.

"You are eating an apple? But I'm eating a banana. So you can't be eating an apple. You follow?"

Have a great weekend everyone.

People read into things as they like, no tone was given or intended.

I have four coteachers, one per grade.  They are the ones who dictate the pace that we move through the curriculum/the book.  Three have planned well, while the fourth moved too quickly, so we will finish the book with 4 weeks of school remaining.

It's not ideal, but it's not a major issue either.

People read into things as they like, no tone was given or intended.

I have four coteachers, one per grade.  They are the ones who dictate the pace that we move through the curriculum/the book.  Three have planned well, while the fourth moved too quickly, so we will finish the book with 4 weeks of school remaining.

It's not ideal, but it's not a major issue either.

As a qualified teacher with years of experience, why don't you take more of a lead in your classes?  Genuine question. 

As a qualified teacher with years of experience, why don't you take more of a lead in your classes?  Genuine question.

20+ years ago, I had to lead, as the most of the Korean English teachers had a very low-level of English language proficiency.  Today, that is simply NOT the case.

I am sure you are aware, the goal has always been for us to work ourselves out of a job, so I have adhered to that objective to the best of my ability.

My level of involvement and input has gradually tapered off over the years, while my Korean counterparts have gradually taken over more and more of the responsibilities and control.

I have always been and will remain an assistant, a resource, a sounding board, a mentor, etc. that follows the mandate.

For the past 2-3 years, almost all of my Korean colleagues have been capable of conducting the English class on their own.

As a qualified teacher with years of experience, why don't you take more of a lead in your classes?  Genuine question.

20+ years ago, I had to lead, as the most of the Korean English teachers had a very low-level of English language proficiency.  Today, that is simply NOT the case.

I am sure you are aware, the goal has always been for us to work ourselves out of a job, so I have adhered to that objective to the best of my ability.

My level of involvement and input has gradually tapered off over the years, while my Korean counterparts have gradually taken over more and more of the responsibilities and control.

I have always been and will remain an assistant, a resource, a sounding board, a mentor, etc. that follows the mandate.

For the past 2-3 years, almost all of my Korean colleagues have been capable of conducting the English class on their own.

Thanks for the insight.  That sounds reasonable and fair to me but also quite a unique situation.

Personally, being an assistant was never presented as an option haha.  I think the same goes for most of us here.

That sounds reasonable and fair to me but also quite a unique situation.

Personally, being an assistant was never presented as an option haha.  I think the same goes for most of us here.

Unique in what way?

That the English ability of my colleagues is so high or...?

Article 3 of our contract is pretty clear.  We are "to assist".

Do you have a different type of contract?

That sounds reasonable and fair to me but also quite a unique situation.

Personally, being an assistant was never presented as an option haha.  I think the same goes for most of us here.

Unique in what way?

That the English ability of my colleagues is so high or...?

Article 3 of our contract is pretty clear.  We are "to assist".

Do you have a different type of contract?

You have never worked in a school which has no dedicated KET? Where the homeroom teachers are marking stuff or just leave class? It's great if they look after kids behavior.

 If so then lucky you!

That sounds reasonable and fair to me but also quite a unique situation.

Personally, being an assistant was never presented as an option haha.  I think the same goes for most of us here.

Unique in what way?

That the English ability of my colleagues is so high or...?

Article 3 of our contract is pretty clear.  We are "to assist".

Do you have a different type of contract?

"Assist" is a vague term that allows for open interpretation. 

NET, you should "assist" by doing everything for class so that the ever busy KET can do paperwork or take a rest. 

Though, teaching assistants back home often get experience by leading [some] classes, I think. 

The old Pecan universe where every teacher and school he's ever worked in for over 20 years has been nothing short of magical. That's one hell of a run of luck buddy considering i'd say a good 90% of teachers here come across at least one KT who either can't mutter a single sentence in English or doesn't show for classes or just takes a nap in the back in a couple of years never mind 2 decades. Amen brother, you got it nice.

"Assist" is a vague term that allows for open interpretation. 

NET, you should "assist" by doing everything for class so that the ever busy KET can do paperwork or take a rest. 

Though, teaching assistants back home often get experience by leading [some] classes, I think.

Yes, I agree.  Our contracts are "boilerplate", so each individual school can adjust our conditions to best meet their needs.

As long as we are working toward the same goal, which is for them to be 100% self-sufficient, it really doesn't matter what form it takes.

That said, why would the KET be doing busy work or sleeping doing your joint class?

How many hours are they teaching?  How many are you teaching in that scenario?

Is that a policy mandate unique to your district?

You have never worked in a school which has no dedicated KET? Where the homeroom teachers are marking stuff or just leave class? It's great if they look after kids behavior.

 If so then lucky you!

Twelve years ago, in a rural area, that was pretty common.

Not today, no?

You have never worked in a school which has no dedicated KET? Where the homeroom teachers are marking stuff or just leave class? It's great if they look after kids behavior.

 If so then lucky you!

Twelves years ago, in a rural area, that was pretty common.

Not today, no?

It's still pretty common. Most EPIK teachers I've talked to complain about absent coworkers. I actually prefer it that way, though. Teacher is napping in the other room? Cool. I won't say anything about it so long as they keep bringing me the snacks! 

You have never worked in a school which has no dedicated KET? Where the homeroom teachers are marking stuff or just leave class? It's great if they look after kids behavior.

 If so then lucky you!

Twelves years ago, in a rural area, that was pretty common.

Not today, no?

I teach at 3 schools (4 in total for the year, because I do one rural school for 6 months, then change to another for 6 months). I have no dedicated KET at any of my schools. I only teach with homeroom teachers. One is fluent and I assist, 3 share my class 50/50 co-teaching and the rest I lead/handle alone completely.

Again Pecan's complete lack of being able to understand that his own life experiences aren't shared by everyone else.

This forum is full of people complaining about Korean co-teachers not being able to speak English let alone teach it, either not turning up to classes or playing on their phones/sleeping if they do.

"KTs not helping out in joint classes? That doesn't happen, no? It's never happened to me. And I've been here for 27 years. You follow? What I mean to say is that it's impossible that any of these things you guys are saying have ever happened. You see? No? You follow?"


PS. "Have a great weekend"