I was confronted by my boss.?

Question

I teach English in a University in Korea. I have an MA TESOL from a California State university. I have been at this university over 4 years. We get evaluated by students twice a semester. I have never been called in because of my evaluation and housing. The university provides housing.

My eval was not that bad (it has been worse), but my boss commented on some remarks. One remark was that a student said I was not an attractive man. I was told to be very careful about my appearance. Well I always wear a suit and tie, am clean and shaven. I am not Brad Pitt, but I am not ugly either (I am 54) much older than most of the teachers who are in their 20's. Also, i teach at a woman's university

I was questioned on my teaching ability and losing my passion?

My boss kept asking me if I wanted to quit. No! Not easy to find a position at 54- What to do???

I think all this came from higher-ups. They want younger/fresher teachers. She told me she would rather have younger inexperienced teachers rather than experienced teachers that are bored with teaching.

We just had an elderly teacher resign (she was excellent), so I do think they are clearing us out.

I am just trying not to discourage me to the point that I lose my confidence in the classroom and my desire to teach

Answer 1

Contact a lawyer. They cannot jeapordize your job based on age, and it sounds like that is exactly what they are doing.

Answer 2

I'm quite surprised that at 54 you can not come up with an answer to a childish evaluation like this.
Tell them at 54 you should not be attractive to a university student, or that it would keep you from being accused of coming on to a student. Frankly I would be asking why they were not choosing an evaluation that had to do with teaching ability. Einstein was no model and if you are a good teacher then some other university will take you. Trust in you ability and Gods plan for your life. This is a turning point when you question controversy. You can only become stronger from experience.

Answer 3

If the Korean staff at the University aren't being treated in that way then you can make the case you are being discriminated against.

I have heard of at least one person taking their empoyer to court in Korea and winning the case, so it is not impossible.

My first impression, before reading the additional info, was that they want a fresh face. The reason they might not have asked you to leave is:
1) It would create less conflict if you decided to leave.
2) They might not on shaky ground asking you to leave.

At this stage I think you should start collecting information. Speak to that otehr etacher and see why she left. Conduct your own student surveys.
Try and keep communication between your boss and yourself in writing, the easiest way to do that is by email.

You can include information from conversations which they are then forced to acknowledge, without addressing those comments directly.Eg. " I was a little confused when you said I needed to be careful about my appearance because I wear a suit and tie and shave everyday. Did you mean I need to appear more friendly? "

They probably won't show you the actual results, because of privacy and all that but perhaps you could conduct your own survey. Include questions different from those that are asked by the University so it doesn't look like you are simply checking up on them, but also include the areas you may want to dispute by asking questions like " Do you think Mr... dressed in a manner which is appropriate for a university lecturer?"

If they want you out, they have to do more than just make reference to some student dissatisfaction. They should have to prove that dissatisfaction, which would be tough because you have been there for a long time and as you say you are doing better now than in the past, so if they didn't give you the chop in the past then they would have trouble doing now.

See if there is a free lawyer you can talk to. Tell them that you think they are trying to push you out because of your age, and ask them what you would need in the way of evidence to dispute any other claims that they might make.

The best way to avoid getting fired is to make it clear, without being confrontational that you will not go easily. Maybe by saying something like

" I know that some students, and staff, might prefer a younger teacher but overall I think the students are happy with my performance, and I am confident I am doing a good job. I am planning to stay a few more years. As I have been here for four years I know you must be happy with my work;no-one lets someone work somewhere for four years and then fires them for incompetency. If you are concerned about my performance in class, I invite you to come and observe in person."

I do agree with one of the other comments though. Going back to teach is probably a good idea. You'll find your skills are more valuable at home where education is education and not a beauty contest.

Answer 4

I think you need to rethink what you are doing, because what you are saying touches off too many hot points. You approach things like a button-pusher, pushing other people's buttons, then you back off and say, "No harm, no foul." If you are doing the job you are supposed to do AND then doing additional "dirty jobs" jobs during downtime, then what are you worried about? If you are not doing that, but doing dirty jobs INSTEAD OF what your main job is, STOP and do what the previous sentence suggested. Try to be straight-forward and don't play games, especially mental games in your own head. Avoid CONFRONTATION. The matter you brought up would warrant a casual conversation ended by a question, "I hope you don't mind?" My experience has been that bosses and supervisors really want to avoid confrointations, especially with female employees, unless the supervisor if female. Men have difficulty managing their basic instincts to protect females when "chewing" them out, unless they believe women should not be working in the first place. Women should use this to their advantage and avoid a confrontation that only makes a man feel uncomfortable. I have found that female supervisors, while they dislike confrontations, only castigate a male employee or other employee when they have reached the boiling point and there is no other alternative but confrontation. I have experienced two exceptions to this: one female supervisor had a female hench person and never confronted you herself and the other was the best supervisor I ever had who just had a natural way with people, but was upfront to them in an instructive way. She was a nurse by the way.

Answer 5

Laws in Korea a lot different than states I presume. I'd start getting your resume out to Colleges and Universities back in the States. 54 is not that old when it comes to College professors.
Might also want to read over your contact with the College you are at so you will not be caught having to pay your own expenses back home.
Most likely wanting to replace you with a native Korean.

Answer 6

54 is not old, but it is a risky age to be looking to finish your career else where.

If you don't want to quit and you like your job, it might be worthwhile to learn how to buck up your teaching methods and approach the classroom environment differently. At the very least, theme days could relate to teaching English in so many ways. Earn an appreciative assessment of your efforts. When students look at you, they may feel you have nothing to offer with learning the language and let that fall back on their impression of your charisma.
Try to think of it as a package you are trying to sell - the English language and an attractive teacher.

Answer 7

Your boss might be trying to get you to leave so that he can fill your position with a less experienced person at a lower salary. As long as you adhere to the standards for appearance set by the university, whether you are "attractive" or not is none of your boss's business. If he bothers you again, you might want to talk to his boss. If that doesn't work, you might try the dean of the school.

Answer 8

I hope you asked what connection your looks has to your teaching ability and passion. I also would hope that the student would have been questioned on the appropriateness of that kind of comment.
You stay where you are if you are happy and maybe ask your boss to clarify what he/she feels the issues are

Answer 9

Aye, my somewhat older friend--you're too old to attract the students--hey Asia is Asia--if you can't atract the $ , the $ goes away--come back to North America and teach professionally as you are. I lived in Korea and taught English--hey--they'll use ugly as any excuse to get a younger man in so they can get more students--you're a pro-teach--get back to North America and let them fend for themselves.

Answer 10

Wow, this really pisses me off! People have no respect these days. Do they not know who hard you worked to teach? And finding a job at your age is near impossible these days. I'd confront your boss and ask him just what exactly he means by what he said. It's better than not knowing. Good luck, peace!

Answer 11

OMG noone is allowed to tell there co wokers to look smoking hot like brad pitt thats insutling u can try to apply compliants against that school well good luck