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Pillow accomplished...
This entry was posted on 3/10/2007 3:52 AM and is filed under South Korea.
Who knew something as simple as a pillow could be so exciting? I was all but exstatic when I finally got one...along with a fantastic new comforter and a few more plates and silverware. Yay! My little apartment is becoming home!
I spoke directly to the head of the kindergarten program on a tip from another teacher. By that evening there was all the new stuff waiting with my doorman. Now I know who gets things done! The head of the school was a little annoyed that I went around him but a pillow and clean comforter are really just so basic. After flying all the way around the world I don't much care if he's annoyed. I hope my teaching and handling of students will erase any doubts he might have of me. We'll see...
It seems the Korean parents are all stage mothers...in the school sense. The first week saw more than a few mothers at school complaining about their children not being in the class they wanted, not ebing #1 in their classes, or other such nonsense. So far, none of my parents have logged any complaints...which is actually a bit of an accomplishment. I hope it stays that way.
The thing is, these very rich parents spend around $700 a month to send their kids to the school and I can understand wanting the very best results. BUT...the first week doesn't warrent screaming and yelling. This is a time for stating concerns and working towards a solution...not turning red in the face, yelling, pounding on desks or stamping feet...as happened Thursday afternoon. I've got to be careful to avoid such situations and am already formulating plans for all my kindergarten students so that they get the most of the expereince. This is kindergarten for them...they do not attend classes in Korean...unless it's in piano, swimming, science or so forth.
I promise to try to get photos up soon...of the apartment, my classroom, my cutie-pie students (so darn adorable you can't believe they could ever get you upset) and anything else I think you might enjoy. I think I can get a free connection at Starbucks, but have been avoiding that for lots of reasons. Still...I feel the blog needs some pictures...so I just might have to.
Well...that's all for now. I'm off to do some more shopping (I seem to shop everyday here!) for household goods and basics. The apartment is a blank slate and you just don't realize all the things you need when you move into a place without baggage.
Cheers all...from Busan...
I spoke directly to the head of the kindergarten program on a tip from another teacher. By that evening there was all the new stuff waiting with my doorman. Now I know who gets things done! The head of the school was a little annoyed that I went around him but a pillow and clean comforter are really just so basic. After flying all the way around the world I don't much care if he's annoyed. I hope my teaching and handling of students will erase any doubts he might have of me. We'll see...
It seems the Korean parents are all stage mothers...in the school sense. The first week saw more than a few mothers at school complaining about their children not being in the class they wanted, not ebing #1 in their classes, or other such nonsense. So far, none of my parents have logged any complaints...which is actually a bit of an accomplishment. I hope it stays that way.
The thing is, these very rich parents spend around $700 a month to send their kids to the school and I can understand wanting the very best results. BUT...the first week doesn't warrent screaming and yelling. This is a time for stating concerns and working towards a solution...not turning red in the face, yelling, pounding on desks or stamping feet...as happened Thursday afternoon. I've got to be careful to avoid such situations and am already formulating plans for all my kindergarten students so that they get the most of the expereince. This is kindergarten for them...they do not attend classes in Korean...unless it's in piano, swimming, science or so forth.
I promise to try to get photos up soon...of the apartment, my classroom, my cutie-pie students (so darn adorable you can't believe they could ever get you upset) and anything else I think you might enjoy. I think I can get a free connection at Starbucks, but have been avoiding that for lots of reasons. Still...I feel the blog needs some pictures...so I just might have to.
Well...that's all for now. I'm off to do some more shopping (I seem to shop everyday here!) for household goods and basics. The apartment is a blank slate and you just don't realize all the things you need when you move into a place without baggage.
Cheers all...from Busan...