Thread: A Big Mystery

I´ve heard the story goes something like this, working in a company is like a bunch of monkeys sitting in a tree. The monkeys at the bottom only get to see arseholes, and the monkeys at the top only see the happy smiling faces of the monkeys just below them.

I've met many teachers who've had more experience than me and couldn't teach to save their lives. I've also met some astonishingly talented and motivated teachers with only a year or two's worth of class time who really impressed me. You need to give us the facts: How is this hotshot abusing his position and how is he a complete asshole? Have you seen him teach? Is he incompetent? Of course, you know that he probably attained his lofty position through a particular set of social skills if his qualifications aren't that impressive. Or he's got connections. Maybe he is really good at impressing managers and owners. Maybe he's really good at the administrative end of the job. Maybe he has honed his ingratiating skills down to a fine art. Maybe he is a really good teacher. Not enough info to go by.

Sounds like a typical manager. Also, as you say, the school may be truly 'international' in name only.
What can you do about him? Not much if he's well-connected to the school owners. Find another job at a better school and move on. Take a leaf out of your qualified colleague's book.

Ouch. Can I ask why you didn't leave when he showed you such disrespect concerning your mother? That is beyond the pale. You are right about the guy. I've met many a "teacher" that fits his description. This school sounds disreputable. Why stay?

to observe me teach and give his opinions to the school director, which in my view have been a complete load of BS

Sounds like they went well then. which i'm sure your not holding against him in anyway.

and those examples point more to just a complete dickhead than someone abusing his power, showing off about his gf? giving vague advice? it's just, crap. he'd probably be the same if he was your level too.

Originally Posted by Tinka

When I joined I only had one year experience teaching and no teaching qualifications. The main reasons now are 1.It's local
2.It's the best paid job one can get without any qualifications and hardly any experience.
3.I have signed a two year contract.
4.The school saves 4% of my salary each month plus gives a 4% contribution which has built up to a substantial amount of money over one year. If I break the contract I will lose all of this money and probably leave without a decent reference.
5.I want to study for a PGCE through long-distance learning, I need to be working in an international school.

These are excellent reasons to stay at this school. The bottom line: they're paying you well and you are continuing your professional development. What you have learned in short order is a valuable lesson that all veteran teachers learn along the way. It isn't student problems that cause teachers to leave the profession, but asshole administrators and their ridiculous power trips that drive us nuts. If you can ignore him, do so. Emotionally detach yourself from him and his girlfriend. Find someone else to consult about your lesson plans and teaching strategies. Find an ally at school other than this person. Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by panhunger

If you think education in Thailand is about educating young people, think again. We have a fairly rich EP, however, this year our boss decided to stuff 45 students into our M4 program. He had always planned on hiring another teacher, but never got around to it. Now, the program is pocketing an extra four to five hundred grand a year and the students are getting a shit education as a result.

His reason? He wants the students to get to know each other!!!

This is Thailand where reason got shit all over by those monkeys in the high branches.

pannie, I know where you're coming from. When I have "serious" thoughts about what I'm doing education-wise in this country, I get depressed. Best to focus away from the teaching "career" here and onto something more pleasurable.

That is sound advice. I will take it and stop moaning!

Originally Posted by Tinka

So the big mystery is WHY this AH is still being treated like a king, paid a much bigger salary than everyone else in the department and now has been asked to teach my grade level next academic year to pilot a new teaching programme??????

Will somebody give me a clue because I think I might be going crazy!!!!!

RussellSimpson is wise.

Get used to it, and don't try to figure out "why."

I've had many managers. Most (meaning more than 50%) probably were not in the position because of the qualifications of skill-sets.

Convenience, politics, personality, or, who knows?

Seriously, I recommend reading "The Peter Principle." It's a classic book and a quick read.