Ask Headmaster Ken

I believe that I was just demoted at my school. They took away half my classes. I did not hear any complaints from the students. In fact many have told me that they really enjoy my classes. The teachers all congratulated me on having less classes; I cannot tell if they are sincere or helping me save "face." I do not understand why this was done to me. Can you help me decipher this?

My thinking is since a teacher's salary is based on their students' test scores, they lobbied to get my classes reduced so they can teach more. Personal and professional jealousies, were I believe not so much the problem. The teachers here teach to the "test" for their livelihood depends on it. Merit pay is the way of life.

I can't tell anybody that I am very pissed off at the moment. I have to go into Jedi Mind Trick Mode and act satisfied and relieved that the administration took it upon themselves to relieve me of my duties because of their concern. It works somewhat the same in the USA to keep appearances up with a pat on the back instead of the kick in the rear that they really want to do. They pay me, they brought me here, and they should be damn well satisfied that my classes are getting a lot of interest and English words from these kids. I see them now once a month!!! What the hell kind of an impact do they expect me to accomplish in that amount of time!!!! I will try to give them as many ways to practice speaking outside of class as possible.

Hello Peter,

Have you discussed this with management? I think the first thing you would want to do is go to management and talk.

Looking again at what you wrote here,

They pay me, they brought me here, and they should be damn well satisfied that my classes are getting a lot of interest and English words from these kids.

raises a question in my mind. Are you sure your goals are aligned with that of your employer?

You stated, "The teachers here teach to the "test" for their livelihood depends on it." That seems to indicate you know what is expected of you at that school.

Many schools in China exist for one purpose, to increase student's written test scores in their public schools. Some parents choose schools based on their ability to raise test scores.

If you were hired into this kind of environment, and focused on elevating student's oral ability rather than written test taking ability, then your goals were not aligned with your employers.

I don't know, of course, what exactly your school's expectations were, or how, in their view, you met those expectations.

You may find you are not comfortable in the role expected of you at this school and may well want to consider other employment.

From my experience, the school is sending you a strong message. Either they want a change in your performance, or they have already written you off and are content to let you wither on the vine.

From what you describe, it is not a mutually supportive environment among teachers at your school. That seems only to leave management.

I'd suggest you meet with them and determine exactly what their expectations are. Then, decide if you will be comfortable in that role before either changing jobs or your performance.

I wish you well.

Hello Headmaster Ken,

I did exactly what you told me. I went to the vice-principal and the head of the English department and told them my concerns. From both their replies, my job performance has been satisfactory. I am on time, I prepare adequately, and I have professional dress and demeanor. The onus of this is in the fact that the teachers need more time to have their Senior Two students prepare for their university examinations. I will take both people at their word that it was a decision based on school goals rather than any teaching issues on my part. I just found it rather odd to change my schedule around after being here 6 weeks. Maybe I was a little too brash on my first e-mail, but I was just surprised.

I have no problem accepting my role here, especially now after having read the entire e-book presented on Middle Kingdom Life. I try to teach students something they need, with something they are interested in. It has even come to a point where the Chinese teachers, who were my assistants, started disappearing from class once they saw I could handle the classes of 60 plus students alone. I come from an urban high school in America and these students are nowhere near any of the disciplinary issues their U.S. counterparts have.

Yes, these Chinese students are really a joy to teach. I have come to accept my role as English coach and mentor. One student even confided in me that he has a "secret" girlfriend. Thanks, headmaster Ken.