2005-11-30 - 2:02 p.m.
Ahhhh, our hectic life. Some days it really is difficult, and some days it makes me wish I wasn't a buddhist so I could revel in someone else's discomfort and heart ache. But I try to be a good buddhist. I try to not gloat, and say 'sucks to be you!" gleefully.
Let me explain. over the last 10 days there has been very quiet statements to some teachers to "not have students visit." Now all of these teachers happen to be christian and missionary. I have been asked by several of these teachers if I knwo what it is about because they have been told very quietly, word of mouth, but nothing official. Now I have tried to come up with plausible explainations but they sound lame to me so I have waited, and we just got the news today.
The PSB (public security bureau, ie secret police) have been going around looking for christian missionaries actively promoting religion outside the "official" locations. And sure enough many of these teachers have "informal" bible studies in their rooms. Well that has been squashed, and in fact the most zealous christian missionary here wsa the one to break the news to the "faithful." He looked so broken down, and depressed I almost felt sorry for him. almost.
So they can meet in the rooms, and can have visitors but the topic cannot turn to religion unless it is at the local offical chuch. This may not sound like much, but it is a very big deal It actually puts the religion where it is supposed to happen, not in my hallways, or out when I'm getting coffee with my students. And it actually means our school is finally trying to follow the LAWS of the country we are in. go figure.
And with the proposed changes I hear are going to be coming to the "power structure" in the foreign teachers, we may actually be trying to be a "real" school.
but it still makes me want to go stand and jump up and down and go "tee-hee" just a little bit.
Will
Trying yet again to maintain a blog of our travels abroad, especially as the children are getting older.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Teaching in China: Change takes time
11:35 a.m. - 2005-11-30
And I was worried!
Part of the reason I started this diary was to help me organize my thoughts and to figure out exactly where I am in regards to completing the TESOL branch here in China. Believe it or not I am further than I thought I would get, especially now that I am being exploited on tape. I started this project in January of 2005. I came to China in September of 2004, bright eyed and completely delusional.
My hopes and ideas were shattered in the very first week I spent in China. I attended the school orientation. I am happy to say that the school did make great attempts at holding an orientation that was complete with references to culture shock, references to what the oral classes and the schedules not being what we might expect, they even had an ESL person speak at an optional presentation. The culture shock presentation was the most preparing aspect of the orientation, and very well done.
The ESL person was a theoretical linguist (no offense to theoretical linguists) who did not understand the difference between theory and application, so regretably most of the lecture was useless for anyone who did not have an ESL background. For me it was a delightful review. And the oreintation to the classes and schedules consisted mostly of "be flexible" and "your class might not be there or it might be the wrong room". That was in 2004.
In 2005 the orientation got better. I am sorry to say that is not saying a lot. Many of my friends and I had worked hard to come up with more informative presentations and information packets. These were used, but they were not great. Of course they were not great, no one was available to organize the orientation. It was thrown together at the last minute just like it usually is. Last year it was suggested to me that since I had the most interest and the most experience and training, would I be interested in starting a TESOL branch in China.
This has been the most interesting and bizzare project. I hold seminars and very few people show up. I give presentations and half of the participants do not speak the same language (although I have started useing a translator who wants to be an MATESL at a school I have recommended to him) and I publish a newsletter that nobody seems to read. All in all, I pretty much have believed that this project is going to be a labor of Hercules.
That's okay. I know that if I can get this project off the ground it will benifit the teachers, the students, and the educational system of China in general. For those reasons I feel that it is worth the hassle and the heartache that is required for such a labor. All this time I have been writing in this diary (I use to have a different diary and decided to start a new one for this project alone) and really I have only been talking to myself. Or so I thought. Hearing from another ***** member has been heartening. If there are even a few people that might be either interested in what it is like to teach in China or interested in the idea of having a TESOL affiliatation in China, that makes my efforts worthwhile.
Thank you hemlokk. I am not quite nuts yet.
2011 Note- These posts were on a previous site that is no longer in use.
And I was worried!
Part of the reason I started this diary was to help me organize my thoughts and to figure out exactly where I am in regards to completing the TESOL branch here in China. Believe it or not I am further than I thought I would get, especially now that I am being exploited on tape. I started this project in January of 2005. I came to China in September of 2004, bright eyed and completely delusional.
My hopes and ideas were shattered in the very first week I spent in China. I attended the school orientation. I am happy to say that the school did make great attempts at holding an orientation that was complete with references to culture shock, references to what the oral classes and the schedules not being what we might expect, they even had an ESL person speak at an optional presentation. The culture shock presentation was the most preparing aspect of the orientation, and very well done.
The ESL person was a theoretical linguist (no offense to theoretical linguists) who did not understand the difference between theory and application, so regretably most of the lecture was useless for anyone who did not have an ESL background. For me it was a delightful review. And the oreintation to the classes and schedules consisted mostly of "be flexible" and "your class might not be there or it might be the wrong room". That was in 2004.
In 2005 the orientation got better. I am sorry to say that is not saying a lot. Many of my friends and I had worked hard to come up with more informative presentations and information packets. These were used, but they were not great. Of course they were not great, no one was available to organize the orientation. It was thrown together at the last minute just like it usually is. Last year it was suggested to me that since I had the most interest and the most experience and training, would I be interested in starting a TESOL branch in China.
This has been the most interesting and bizzare project. I hold seminars and very few people show up. I give presentations and half of the participants do not speak the same language (although I have started useing a translator who wants to be an MATESL at a school I have recommended to him) and I publish a newsletter that nobody seems to read. All in all, I pretty much have believed that this project is going to be a labor of Hercules.
That's okay. I know that if I can get this project off the ground it will benifit the teachers, the students, and the educational system of China in general. For those reasons I feel that it is worth the hassle and the heartache that is required for such a labor. All this time I have been writing in this diary (I use to have a different diary and decided to start a new one for this project alone) and really I have only been talking to myself. Or so I thought. Hearing from another ***** member has been heartening. If there are even a few people that might be either interested in what it is like to teach in China or interested in the idea of having a TESOL affiliatation in China, that makes my efforts worthwhile.
Thank you hemlokk. I am not quite nuts yet.
2011 Note- These posts were on a previous site that is no longer in use.
Monday, November 28, 2005
Teaching In China: thoughts on certification
6:39 p.m. - 2005-11-28
A thought about certification
In order to get a certificate in TESL or TESOL, you need to pay money, attend or participate in courses, and do a practicum experience. In order to recieve certification with accredidation you need to pay money, participate or attend courses, and do a practicum experience with a certified company. Although there is often a difference in quality of programs, some programs are more complete than others.
I created a training program. Useing materials from several certified programs, I have had my students, teachers every one, participate in the course volontairily. They attend a lecture (2 hours every week) in which I cover the materials that a certified program usually covers. Sometimes these lectures are actually student centered discussions where the teachers discuss how the information is related to what they are doing in the classroom. I have tried very hard to work their classroom experiences into the discussions as part of a practicum experience, but this is hard work for someone who is inexperienced as a program administrator. I realize that I am not the official program administrator, but with the TESOL program that I am working on here that is the role that I am playing.
I have to say that this is an incredible experience regardless of the outcomes. I have regular students who attend the class every week, and a few students who come and go as they can.
So my thought really is that these students deserve more than I can give them. But I do not charge for my lectures (I know I probably should). I do not charge because it is my strong belief that these teachers would benifit more from haveing this kind of training as a steady part of their experience here. I am working slowly with the administrators of the Chinese school to work my program in as a requirement for all new teachers at the school, as opposed to a volontary program.
Either way I will continue to offer a certificate of completion of this non-accredited TESOL program.
It may not be much, but they deserve to have something to show for their efforts beyond the improvements they have shown in the classroom.
A thought about certification
In order to get a certificate in TESL or TESOL, you need to pay money, attend or participate in courses, and do a practicum experience. In order to recieve certification with accredidation you need to pay money, participate or attend courses, and do a practicum experience with a certified company. Although there is often a difference in quality of programs, some programs are more complete than others.
I created a training program. Useing materials from several certified programs, I have had my students, teachers every one, participate in the course volontairily. They attend a lecture (2 hours every week) in which I cover the materials that a certified program usually covers. Sometimes these lectures are actually student centered discussions where the teachers discuss how the information is related to what they are doing in the classroom. I have tried very hard to work their classroom experiences into the discussions as part of a practicum experience, but this is hard work for someone who is inexperienced as a program administrator. I realize that I am not the official program administrator, but with the TESOL program that I am working on here that is the role that I am playing.
I have to say that this is an incredible experience regardless of the outcomes. I have regular students who attend the class every week, and a few students who come and go as they can.
So my thought really is that these students deserve more than I can give them. But I do not charge for my lectures (I know I probably should). I do not charge because it is my strong belief that these teachers would benifit more from haveing this kind of training as a steady part of their experience here. I am working slowly with the administrators of the Chinese school to work my program in as a requirement for all new teachers at the school, as opposed to a volontary program.
Either way I will continue to offer a certificate of completion of this non-accredited TESOL program.
It may not be much, but they deserve to have something to show for their efforts beyond the improvements they have shown in the classroom.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Teaching in China: Observations
11:51 a.m. - 2005-11-23
Practicum attempt
Today I had the opportunity to watch several of the teachers teach in their classrooms.
And I learned a lot.
1st. I learned that there are some incredibly well trained teachers at this school. I am very lucky to have such very good teachers and to know that they are giving the students a quality performance. These students have a great opportunity.
2nd. Many of the things that I have been talking about in my professional development seminars is just what these teachers need. All of the teachers are using techniques and methods discussed in the course.
3rd. Some people should not be in China to teach. As much as they want to help. As much as they continue to try and improve. These few teachers should be regulated to backpacking across China. These people should never be allowed into the classroom. So you might think to yourself, it can't be that bad. Yes it can. These students are paying a solid amount of money to be taught by a teacher who can not even teach them one new item in 2 hours. The entire time (while not spent singing, I'll give him that) was spent listening to the students make more and more atrocious errors without correction or guidance. The students were giving their all. The sad thing is that the teacher was giving their all too.
This has actually given me inspiration.
I have decided to design next years orientation. Whether it is used by the administration or not, I have to do what I can to make this a better place. If for not other reason than for the students. I am planning on doing a semester long orientation that begins with two intense weeks (their usual plan) but is organized with a clear set of regulations and standards, followed by the rest of the semester with weekly meetings to plan out for lessons and suggestions on how to use the book, a simple matter of a practicum experience. These teachers could use it. That should also help the teacher who is trying so hard and doing so little to be more focused and capable in the classroom.
The only thing I can do now is try.
Practicum attempt
Today I had the opportunity to watch several of the teachers teach in their classrooms.
And I learned a lot.
1st. I learned that there are some incredibly well trained teachers at this school. I am very lucky to have such very good teachers and to know that they are giving the students a quality performance. These students have a great opportunity.
2nd. Many of the things that I have been talking about in my professional development seminars is just what these teachers need. All of the teachers are using techniques and methods discussed in the course.
3rd. Some people should not be in China to teach. As much as they want to help. As much as they continue to try and improve. These few teachers should be regulated to backpacking across China. These people should never be allowed into the classroom. So you might think to yourself, it can't be that bad. Yes it can. These students are paying a solid amount of money to be taught by a teacher who can not even teach them one new item in 2 hours. The entire time (while not spent singing, I'll give him that) was spent listening to the students make more and more atrocious errors without correction or guidance. The students were giving their all. The sad thing is that the teacher was giving their all too.
This has actually given me inspiration.
I have decided to design next years orientation. Whether it is used by the administration or not, I have to do what I can to make this a better place. If for not other reason than for the students. I am planning on doing a semester long orientation that begins with two intense weeks (their usual plan) but is organized with a clear set of regulations and standards, followed by the rest of the semester with weekly meetings to plan out for lessons and suggestions on how to use the book, a simple matter of a practicum experience. These teachers could use it. That should also help the teacher who is trying so hard and doing so little to be more focused and capable in the classroom.
The only thing I can do now is try.
Teaching in China: Cheating Returns
11:44 a.m. - 2005-11-23
Plagiarism 2
Last week I made a discovery that left me feeling a little drained. I found a document, about 32 pages long, that had short essays written by famous people. In Chinese the instructions informed the students that if they memorized the essays and wrote them 100 times they would be their words. After I have spent almost 4 months telling the students that they should only give me their words, this has been sitting on half of their computers telling them to do it wrong.
In America, I had to battle briefly with plagiarism. It is there and it does happen. However, in China it is a constant battle to tell the students that plagiarism is not an acceptable form of writing. That original ideas are the preferred method.
Sometimes, especially last week when I found this document in the possession of one of my favorite students, I just feel drained.
It is an uphill battle.
But I keep trying.
Plagiarism 2
Last week I made a discovery that left me feeling a little drained. I found a document, about 32 pages long, that had short essays written by famous people. In Chinese the instructions informed the students that if they memorized the essays and wrote them 100 times they would be their words. After I have spent almost 4 months telling the students that they should only give me their words, this has been sitting on half of their computers telling them to do it wrong.
In America, I had to battle briefly with plagiarism. It is there and it does happen. However, in China it is a constant battle to tell the students that plagiarism is not an acceptable form of writing. That original ideas are the preferred method.
Sometimes, especially last week when I found this document in the possession of one of my favorite students, I just feel drained.
It is an uphill battle.
But I keep trying.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Teaching in China: Cheating
5:26 p.m. - 2005-11-16
Cheating
My students in China often think that it will take less time to find a passage on the internet than it will for them to write a piece of their own work. It doesn't matter that they should be talking about their family or if they are writing about themselves. They often feel that the internet will provide them with much better writing than what they can do themselves. This is a hard notion to dissuade. So, as instructors we spend an amazing amount of time explaining the value of a personal voice and the importance of the individual within the group. We often need to combine the notion of group think with the idea that a personal choice can be for the group as well. I spend a great deal of time teaching my students that being a part of the community does not always mean using the communities work, sometimes it means doing your own work and contributing to the community yourself. When they realize this, they become the best writers in the world. The most creative and the most motivated. Because they really can do it. But first, we have to teach them that it is wrong to take it off the internet. There is more value in their own writing.
Cheating
My students in China often think that it will take less time to find a passage on the internet than it will for them to write a piece of their own work. It doesn't matter that they should be talking about their family or if they are writing about themselves. They often feel that the internet will provide them with much better writing than what they can do themselves. This is a hard notion to dissuade. So, as instructors we spend an amazing amount of time explaining the value of a personal voice and the importance of the individual within the group. We often need to combine the notion of group think with the idea that a personal choice can be for the group as well. I spend a great deal of time teaching my students that being a part of the community does not always mean using the communities work, sometimes it means doing your own work and contributing to the community yourself. When they realize this, they become the best writers in the world. The most creative and the most motivated. Because they really can do it. But first, we have to teach them that it is wrong to take it off the internet. There is more value in their own writing.
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Voice of Will: China gets weird
2005-11-12 - 12:04 a.m.
Here is why I haven't written in the last month
There was an attempted purge of the non christian teachers over the last three weeks, and I was on the list. (yes you read that right)
I was informed in the 3rd week of October that there had been complaints about my behavior, and I was told to stop lying to the new teachers, stop giving new teachers bad information and gossip about other teachers, stop being a negative influcence in peter hall. Now this warning was in chinglish from the head of ICED (our overseers) at a bbq on a saturday. When I asked for information I was given the earlier blanket statement. But no specific information on which I was to "stop." Ok.
Now to understand the power structure here, just stick your finger in a light socket, because you will never understand it because we don't. But we do have an "advisory comittee" that is made up of certain heavy christian teachers, heads of certain departments of foreign teachers, and several busy body's who have had jobs made for them to give a power block a vote. They appear to have Star chamber meetings, everything is in secret, and when you ask questions you are not answered, or you get cryptic answers.
To top that off, the pressure and tension have been mounting considerably over the last three weeks.
so I go to the comittee members I "trust" and ask them for specific information about the complaints, and I get ZERO for answers. just "Your name has come up in our meetings" but no answers to what I am supposed to have done. So instead of "stopping" I let the misfits know what is happening. They are outraged.
so last week I was told that I needed to appear at the 7th floor confrence room for a meeting with ICED. Ok. I asked a friend (and current american bar attorney) to accompany me to the meeting as a witness. We get there and I'm told, "you will have to reschedule your meeting with President Lee at some later time because he is busy right now." Now President Lee is the president of the school. WTF? Why would the president of the school want a meeting with me? So I ask, and the ICED rep (the same one from before) tells me there have been numerous complaints and I am here to answer for my behavior. I ask for information so I can defend myself and I get told, "these are private complaints, I cannot give them to you." WTF????? If they were private why am I going in front of president lee? I tell her (actually my attorney friend because I'm sooooo pissed off) that we will meet with them when I have written charges so I can defend myself.
when I get home I find out there was a meeting right before mine. a new teacher who is very open about his sexuality, who is black, and large has been asked to resign because of his stance on homosexual issues.
Now I'm worried. But I decide to sleep on it, and see what time brings. Next morning one of my best friends here is forcibly resigned (he has a sense of humor like mine, and is anti zealot (but he is christian) and pro homosexual. he was scheduled to meet after me.
Now you do the math. the person who meets before me asked to resign, the person after me forcibly resigned. Hmmmm??? So I freak out. Crissy freaks out (much better position because of her position with Fort Hays as a professor) and writes to Fort Hays stating that we are being targeted, and this pervasive attitude is creating a hostile living and working environment. within an hour there is a reply to her email. Will is not on the list to be fired. Please calm down. the liason in Fort hays called the owner of the school to demand information.
so while this is going on, I have a friend who brought me a list of the advisory commitee meeting notes. When I asked him where he got them he said he "found them." I was hoping he didn't hack into the computer system, so I asked the head computer tech if this could be done. I ask the computer tech guy if this is passowrd protected, and he says no. this is an open system so people can go into files. Ok. I go and look at the printouts that have been brought to me and notice states complaints against me since sept 16. These complaints were from the same members who I "trust." I love getting f*d in the back without even being told about it.
So I get to find out how important I am by my friends who stand up. my attorney friend is here because she was asked to be here by someone who is giving MILLIONS of dollars to the owner of the school for business. She has seen ALL of this stuff happen.
The owner of the school shows up yesterday and we have an emergency staff meeting. He tells us that there are problems, the head of ICED will be removed, thre will be sweeping changes to the advisory comittee, and to try to let the past lie.
Now, I am not saying that I brought down some "zealots" who were using the head of ICED (who is new and doesn't know better). But I was the bait who brought these people out of their hiding so they could get nailed.
My punishment (yes there is tit for tat, I bring down the administration so I got to pay) is a to get a written warning and a notice to STOP. But my attorney friend is here to write the policy about discipline so i'm not too worryed. (oh yea we also got an apology)
Will
Here is why I haven't written in the last month
There was an attempted purge of the non christian teachers over the last three weeks, and I was on the list. (yes you read that right)
I was informed in the 3rd week of October that there had been complaints about my behavior, and I was told to stop lying to the new teachers, stop giving new teachers bad information and gossip about other teachers, stop being a negative influcence in peter hall. Now this warning was in chinglish from the head of ICED (our overseers) at a bbq on a saturday. When I asked for information I was given the earlier blanket statement. But no specific information on which I was to "stop." Ok.
Now to understand the power structure here, just stick your finger in a light socket, because you will never understand it because we don't. But we do have an "advisory comittee" that is made up of certain heavy christian teachers, heads of certain departments of foreign teachers, and several busy body's who have had jobs made for them to give a power block a vote. They appear to have Star chamber meetings, everything is in secret, and when you ask questions you are not answered, or you get cryptic answers.
To top that off, the pressure and tension have been mounting considerably over the last three weeks.
so I go to the comittee members I "trust" and ask them for specific information about the complaints, and I get ZERO for answers. just "Your name has come up in our meetings" but no answers to what I am supposed to have done. So instead of "stopping" I let the misfits know what is happening. They are outraged.
so last week I was told that I needed to appear at the 7th floor confrence room for a meeting with ICED. Ok. I asked a friend (and current american bar attorney) to accompany me to the meeting as a witness. We get there and I'm told, "you will have to reschedule your meeting with President Lee at some later time because he is busy right now." Now President Lee is the president of the school. WTF? Why would the president of the school want a meeting with me? So I ask, and the ICED rep (the same one from before) tells me there have been numerous complaints and I am here to answer for my behavior. I ask for information so I can defend myself and I get told, "these are private complaints, I cannot give them to you." WTF????? If they were private why am I going in front of president lee? I tell her (actually my attorney friend because I'm sooooo pissed off) that we will meet with them when I have written charges so I can defend myself.
when I get home I find out there was a meeting right before mine. a new teacher who is very open about his sexuality, who is black, and large has been asked to resign because of his stance on homosexual issues.
Now I'm worried. But I decide to sleep on it, and see what time brings. Next morning one of my best friends here is forcibly resigned (he has a sense of humor like mine, and is anti zealot (but he is christian) and pro homosexual. he was scheduled to meet after me.
Now you do the math. the person who meets before me asked to resign, the person after me forcibly resigned. Hmmmm??? So I freak out. Crissy freaks out (much better position because of her position with Fort Hays as a professor) and writes to Fort Hays stating that we are being targeted, and this pervasive attitude is creating a hostile living and working environment. within an hour there is a reply to her email. Will is not on the list to be fired. Please calm down. the liason in Fort hays called the owner of the school to demand information.
so while this is going on, I have a friend who brought me a list of the advisory commitee meeting notes. When I asked him where he got them he said he "found them." I was hoping he didn't hack into the computer system, so I asked the head computer tech if this could be done. I ask the computer tech guy if this is passowrd protected, and he says no. this is an open system so people can go into files. Ok. I go and look at the printouts that have been brought to me and notice states complaints against me since sept 16. These complaints were from the same members who I "trust." I love getting f*d in the back without even being told about it.
So I get to find out how important I am by my friends who stand up. my attorney friend is here because she was asked to be here by someone who is giving MILLIONS of dollars to the owner of the school for business. She has seen ALL of this stuff happen.
The owner of the school shows up yesterday and we have an emergency staff meeting. He tells us that there are problems, the head of ICED will be removed, thre will be sweeping changes to the advisory comittee, and to try to let the past lie.
Now, I am not saying that I brought down some "zealots" who were using the head of ICED (who is new and doesn't know better). But I was the bait who brought these people out of their hiding so they could get nailed.
My punishment (yes there is tit for tat, I bring down the administration so I got to pay) is a to get a written warning and a notice to STOP. But my attorney friend is here to write the policy about discipline so i'm not too worryed. (oh yea we also got an apology)
Will
Voice of Will: Crissy's Take
2005-11-12 - 12:25 a.m.
Crissy's take on this (I have removed the names of the guilty)
I copied the letter I sent off to you just to show you how desperate I got... not to mention that I was making a record in case legal action needed to be taken. I was at my wits end and freaking out because nobody was talking to us STILL!
But then (our boss in fort hays) emailed Will a couple of times basically to tell us to lay off because we were really making the waves uncontroleable... basically, I lost my cool and made everyone here realize that I would be more than willing to bring it to an end over a null issue if they wanted to give me trouble, (I made stink about harassment... and it is harassment but that is the way it has always been and I never made noise before...) In the end I basically made it clear that I would talk... long and loud and clear and I would be happy to take it to a lawyer if I needed to.
They (the advisory committee )) got a lot of flak and realized that I was now pissed off enough to ruin it for everyone and shut the school down if I did not get my way. They (the committee) didn't realize that I was not afraid to walk out on my contract if I had to, and I was not going to allow my husband to be railroaded without getting royally rude. In addition, I have never thrown a fit before, so no one here thought that I could. It was a seriously rude awakening for some people. Now the wave has hit. Shawn (the owner of the school) is here and is basically saying he will deal with the problem, and he is not seeing me as the problem (I expected him to, but that is not what has happened). He sees it as... Something is wrong and it is coming from ICED.
So___ has been removed. And I think my job is now being threatened (unfortunate and I feel really bad... but I am more important to me...) and we have basically been asked to stop making our noise (stop the letter writing campaign.. and stop talking to FHSU, etc.) and they will take care of it. So I am waiting and watching like I always do. I think a lot of people were suprised at how loud I got all of a sudden. and when started saying... but it is just a few people... and 20 people were suddenly clammoring.. he stopped saying a few and started asking what went wrong. How is that for funny.
She basically said that... well I interpreted it as "you are not being tolerant enough" which is when I lost my temper and got really loud everywhere... including writing the letter of harassment. But basically said she was sorry and hoped that it would work out.. which is a much better response than blameing me for my problems... So I wrote her back to tell her I was sure it would, but that I just needed to make a little "official" noise to help things work out properly. I never expected action on Fort Hays side (although I like that Shawn (owner of the school) came in... even if it labels me a trouble maker).
About the guy the fired for being Gay... One day on one of the computer lab computers he had some pornography (it wasn't but they interpreted it as such... you know the whole I can't define it but I know it when I see it arguement)... So they have grounds for termination...
Anyway,
I am satisfied with the way things are moving right now. I have some really powerful people on my side (including the main investor from the tent makers... how is that for a power play) and they believe me because I am so rational, calm, and friendly without hideing behind a mask or a religious belief. I always knew being true to myself would lead to good things. Plus Will was being Will and made friends with the most powerful people who came to visit... so he had them on his side as soon as things started turning sour. Mark was lost because the only people he spoke to ever were me and Will and there was almost nothing that we could do for him. was lost for the same reason. They had no one to turn to and no way of fighting back because no one knows him (he is fighting back as best he can, but he is not going to win this battle) and because of the kids. Although the students are crying about the loss of Mark and AJ. They are both two of the most popular teachers on campus (will has them beat... barely) this semester.
I still can't believe____ would say I am being intolerant of others...
Crissy
Crissy's take on this (I have removed the names of the guilty)
I copied the letter I sent off to you just to show you how desperate I got... not to mention that I was making a record in case legal action needed to be taken. I was at my wits end and freaking out because nobody was talking to us STILL!
But then (our boss in fort hays) emailed Will a couple of times basically to tell us to lay off because we were really making the waves uncontroleable... basically, I lost my cool and made everyone here realize that I would be more than willing to bring it to an end over a null issue if they wanted to give me trouble, (I made stink about harassment... and it is harassment but that is the way it has always been and I never made noise before...) In the end I basically made it clear that I would talk... long and loud and clear and I would be happy to take it to a lawyer if I needed to.
They (the advisory committee )) got a lot of flak and realized that I was now pissed off enough to ruin it for everyone and shut the school down if I did not get my way. They (the committee) didn't realize that I was not afraid to walk out on my contract if I had to, and I was not going to allow my husband to be railroaded without getting royally rude. In addition, I have never thrown a fit before, so no one here thought that I could. It was a seriously rude awakening for some people. Now the wave has hit. Shawn (the owner of the school) is here and is basically saying he will deal with the problem, and he is not seeing me as the problem (I expected him to, but that is not what has happened). He sees it as... Something is wrong and it is coming from ICED.
So___ has been removed. And I think my job is now being threatened (unfortunate and I feel really bad... but I am more important to me...) and we have basically been asked to stop making our noise (stop the letter writing campaign.. and stop talking to FHSU, etc.) and they will take care of it. So I am waiting and watching like I always do. I think a lot of people were suprised at how loud I got all of a sudden. and when started saying... but it is just a few people... and 20 people were suddenly clammoring.. he stopped saying a few and started asking what went wrong. How is that for funny.
She basically said that... well I interpreted it as "you are not being tolerant enough" which is when I lost my temper and got really loud everywhere... including writing the letter of harassment. But basically said she was sorry and hoped that it would work out.. which is a much better response than blameing me for my problems... So I wrote her back to tell her I was sure it would, but that I just needed to make a little "official" noise to help things work out properly. I never expected action on Fort Hays side (although I like that Shawn (owner of the school) came in... even if it labels me a trouble maker).
About the guy the fired for being Gay... One day on one of the computer lab computers he had some pornography (it wasn't but they interpreted it as such... you know the whole I can't define it but I know it when I see it arguement)... So they have grounds for termination...
Anyway,
I am satisfied with the way things are moving right now. I have some really powerful people on my side (including the main investor from the tent makers... how is that for a power play) and they believe me because I am so rational, calm, and friendly without hideing behind a mask or a religious belief. I always knew being true to myself would lead to good things. Plus Will was being Will and made friends with the most powerful people who came to visit... so he had them on his side as soon as things started turning sour. Mark was lost because the only people he spoke to ever were me and Will and there was almost nothing that we could do for him. was lost for the same reason. They had no one to turn to and no way of fighting back because no one knows him (he is fighting back as best he can, but he is not going to win this battle) and because of the kids. Although the students are crying about the loss of Mark and AJ. They are both two of the most popular teachers on campus (will has them beat... barely) this semester.
I still can't believe____ would say I am being intolerant of others...
Crissy
Wednesday, November 9, 2005
Teaching in China: Student Centred Presentation
8:21 p.m. - 2005-11-09
Next baby step for TESOL China
So now I am taking the next step. I have already held several training sessions with the foreign teachers (mostly Americans, one Belgian.) and now I have been asked to speak about Student Centered teaching to the Chinese English teachers... and to the Chinese Course teachers. They have all requested to attend the meeting. The English teachers I expected and will be discussing the latest information about Teaching English, but the course teachers would really like me to discuss methods of teaching, as in non-teacher centered methods!
That is incredible and will really provide me with the opportunity to show what I know and share what kinds of things we have learned over the years with the developments in educational theory and classroom research.
I am so excited.
And SOOOOO NERVOUS!
I represent ALL that is new and all that is different in the classroom to these teachers. I am the EXPERT on TESL as far as they are concerned and I am the person to hear it from. I may have as many as 60 teachers or more come to hear me talk about pronunciation teaching methods, listening methods, writing methods, speaking methods, and Student Centered theories. And I only have 2 hours to discuss it all.
And they told me about it YESTERDAY!!!!
Well, I will prepare all night and all day until it is time to talk and I will try to cover everything that I can in the two hours, leaving some time for questions and answers.
Did I mention that I have to bring a translator?
I am very excited but so nervous about this and I can't wait to tell you next time.
Next baby step for TESOL China
So now I am taking the next step. I have already held several training sessions with the foreign teachers (mostly Americans, one Belgian.) and now I have been asked to speak about Student Centered teaching to the Chinese English teachers... and to the Chinese Course teachers. They have all requested to attend the meeting. The English teachers I expected and will be discussing the latest information about Teaching English, but the course teachers would really like me to discuss methods of teaching, as in non-teacher centered methods!
That is incredible and will really provide me with the opportunity to show what I know and share what kinds of things we have learned over the years with the developments in educational theory and classroom research.
I am so excited.
And SOOOOO NERVOUS!
I represent ALL that is new and all that is different in the classroom to these teachers. I am the EXPERT on TESL as far as they are concerned and I am the person to hear it from. I may have as many as 60 teachers or more come to hear me talk about pronunciation teaching methods, listening methods, writing methods, speaking methods, and Student Centered theories. And I only have 2 hours to discuss it all.
And they told me about it YESTERDAY!!!!
Well, I will prepare all night and all day until it is time to talk and I will try to cover everything that I can in the two hours, leaving some time for questions and answers.
Did I mention that I have to bring a translator?
I am very excited but so nervous about this and I can't wait to tell you next time.
Wednesday, November 2, 2005
Teaching In China: Cell phone and Dictionary Policy
4:59 p.m. - 2005-11-02
Cell phone and Dictionary Policy
Cell Phones and Electronic dictionaries are the bane of my existence in the ESL classroom. China has more cell phones than anywhere else I have seen. Every person from the very old to the very young has a cell phone. They may not all work, but they are there none the less. These cell phones have a tendency to go off in the middle of class and in the middle of tests and exams.
Electronic dictionaries are worse. It would not be so bad if the students were purchasing good dictionaries, but they can't always afford a good one, so I have to put a ban on ALL dictionaries that are not paper English to English dictionaries. Half of the time the cheap ones have incorrect words and poor definitions, not to mention improper pronunciation hints. It is like that old joke where the man looked it up in the dictionary and instead of asking where the bathroom is he asks to purchase the other mans wife...
Cell phones and electronic dictionaries are an interuption in the classroom. When they go off in class and half the students jump, it tells me that they are disrupting the other students. When the dictionaries speak and everyone can hear it, it is a distraction. The worst part is that sometimes the students will use a dictionary on a word I am defining... at the same time, so they miss the meaning I give them and are unsure of where I am going with the topic.
The students are also not sure that what I say is right for them, so they will ignore my warnings and use their phone or dictionary in class.
Someday they will learn.
Cell phone and Dictionary Policy
Cell Phones and Electronic dictionaries are the bane of my existence in the ESL classroom. China has more cell phones than anywhere else I have seen. Every person from the very old to the very young has a cell phone. They may not all work, but they are there none the less. These cell phones have a tendency to go off in the middle of class and in the middle of tests and exams.
Electronic dictionaries are worse. It would not be so bad if the students were purchasing good dictionaries, but they can't always afford a good one, so I have to put a ban on ALL dictionaries that are not paper English to English dictionaries. Half of the time the cheap ones have incorrect words and poor definitions, not to mention improper pronunciation hints. It is like that old joke where the man looked it up in the dictionary and instead of asking where the bathroom is he asks to purchase the other mans wife...
Cell phones and electronic dictionaries are an interuption in the classroom. When they go off in class and half the students jump, it tells me that they are disrupting the other students. When the dictionaries speak and everyone can hear it, it is a distraction. The worst part is that sometimes the students will use a dictionary on a word I am defining... at the same time, so they miss the meaning I give them and are unsure of where I am going with the topic.
The students are also not sure that what I say is right for them, so they will ignore my warnings and use their phone or dictionary in class.
Someday they will learn.