I have been working at an after-school/test prep school for a couple years now. On the whole, I have enjoyed my work here. I originally was supposed to run the after school program and teach a couple writing classes. But then, the office manager was fired. So I was asked to fill in. Then they hired someone “better”, so I resumed my original role. Then, they found out that she was too loud and prevented work from being done. So, I was asked to step in again, on top of running the after school. Then they hired someone who was “perfect”. Only problem is is that they didn’t properly train her or interview her. But I was happy, ecstatic even, to get back to my job. The children prefer me (I think) to the other teachers anyway. This new person turned out to be too stern and at one point tapped a child on the head with a marker.
I’ve never hit a kid. I don’t think that physical punishment or yelling helps kids learn. But I digress. In the end, she had to be let go as well.
This put me in the awful position of having to now fill in in the office and run a growing after school program.
I try not to complain because there are tons of people who do not have jobs at the moment. I am fortunate enough to even like what I am doing. But I’m not sure how much longer I can do this. Rather then trying to find a person who is fully capable of doing this job, they find whomever looks good at the moment. Obviously it’s not working. Whenever it becomes inconvenient for them, they just look for someone to fill the spot.
I told them my schedule before I agreed to fill in and now that it’s time for me to leave for a few days, they have decided that now is the time to look for someone. I have doubts as to whom they will find in a week. But I guess it’s their prerogative to fill the position any way they want.
The part that it the most frustrating for me is that rather then admit their mistakes, they keep passing the blame onto their employees. For example, I speak limited Korean. But a heavy part of this office position is Korean. They also knew this when I started that there might be problems and language barriers. But they said that it was okay. As they are frantically looking for a person to fill this position, they have decided to alert every one that the reason for this personnel change is that I cannot speak Korean. Nothing else. No mention that my tenure in the office was always intended as temporary. They also are highlighting the fact that I look younger than my years. Normally this is a compliment but it is being used as a flaw. A genetic “flaw” that I cannot control.
I hope they find someone soon. I don’t think I can stay much longer.
