Co-teaching, I'm exhausted.

written May 10th, 2013
I don't like using this blog as a resource to vent. I really really don't. However, I do want this blog to be an accurate and honest portrayal of my life and how living in a foreign country truly is. Like anyone else I have great days. I have alright, or as we say in Korea, so-so days. And I too have absolute horrible days where I want nothing else to do, but lay in bed with a pillow over my head and scream. The past three days have been that day. So, like the ups and downs of life in general (and especially for those abroad) I want my blog to resemble just that; an emotional roller coaster filled with language barriers, jjimdak, soju and screaming kids running down the halls.

This week. I'm exhausted.

I work in a public school which means I am employed by the Province of Education (POE). I work in an elementary school teaching both 3rd and 4th grade. This is important to know because the issue...actually lets not use that word. It's not necessarily an "issue". Let's call it, frustration. The frustration I encounter working in a public elementary school is different than those working at a hagwon, a privately owned school and probably even those who work in a public high/middle school. Now, since I teach English in a public school I have co-teachers. Co-teaching is basically self explanatory; two teachers working together to teach the class. For each grade the native English speaking teacher works side-by-side a Korean teacher to teach their class. I teach two grades therefore I have two different Korean co-teachers.

This week. I'm exhausted.

I want to first say I really do enjoy the two women I work with. They are awesome human beings and great teachers. They both care tremendously about our students and want them to learn as much as possible. They also try to understand me and my cultural differences as I too try to understand them. I've met and know other foreigners who do not get along with their co-teacher(s) and as you can imagine because of that, it's a very difficult work environment. So yes I realize I'm very lucky to have the co-teachers I do.

This week. I'm exhausted.

My frustration is not 100% with my co-teachers. For a long time I thought it could be. Maybe we weren't meshing well? Maybe we have different teaching techniques and we need to figure each other out? In the beginning I thought maybe they didn't like me? I realize now that's silly...we share many laughs together. They like me. Plus, I sometimes bring them breakfast!

Today I realized I'm frustrated with everything co-teaching. And for the first time ever I thought...it's time to go home. I've never EVER left work thinking I can't do this anymore. This week was the first time and seeing how my third year long contract is just starting, it scared me.

I'm just so tired of dealing with the power struggle two teachers teaching in the same class can bring. I'm exhausted of finding, yet again, a way to work with a new teacher. I want the ability to freely teach and my students to get as much as possible from my class. This can be extremely difficult with two different people having two different agendas. My agenda has always been and will always be, learning. At my hagwon (first year in Korea) I felt the main priority was keeping the parents happy so they would continue to pay. Now, I feel the priority is with completing busy work and not necessarily on learning.

I'm not really sure what the next few months will bring; let alone the next few days. As of now I'm frustrated and exhausted.


written May 21, 2013
I reread the above post and for the most part I feel the same. Co-teaching is a struggle. I'm not sure if I'll stay and work in public schools my fourth year. I may move on to working with adults. Or I may even decide it's time to move on from Korea. I'm not sure. Although I'm looking into other options, I'm not entirely convinced I'm finished with my time in Korea. And between a great Teacher's Day and weekend in Busan, I'm pretty convinced Korea and I still have some things to finish.

May 15th was Teacher's Day. This day was spent with most teachers in Andong getting together for a small volleyball tournament. It was surprisingly a great day. Not only was I able to see my other foreign friends, but it was nice to see them interact with their co-workers. 

The next day one of my favorite students came in to give me a small heart-shaped letter and a flower! Of course I gave her candy after this.

I also must share this. This student...another favorite, always and I mean always says this while touching my hair. I could be walking down the hall and she runs up to touch the curls and says, "곱슬 곱슬." Or like in the video, I'm sitting at my desk and she literally pops out of nowhere. I never realize she's around until I feel hands in my ponytail and hear "곱슬 곱슬."