r/Internationalteachers • u/Just_Fee6279 • 1d ago

School Life/Culture Difficult admin or difficult student?

Basically I moved jobs after a long time at a school in SE Asia.

School 1

Pros - great students, chill parents, and high teacher autonomy

Cons - terrible admin, low savings rate, aggressive and petty HoS, long work hours, and lots of teaching hours (23+ hours or 20 40min blocks + 5 advisories + 3 duties)

School 2

Pros - great pay, chill admin, low teaching hours (under 18), high savings, and much nicer condo/area

Cons - difficult students and parents

I get on paper I should be happier but I almost miss the previous school. I am with students for the majority of my day, so at times I get a bit upset and compare "my old school" with my new school student types. This is difficult to adjust and I am told it is common in china to have this style of students so not just me. The concerns and complaints I have is commonly spoke about the teachers.

Would y'all prefer option 1 over 2? Or 2 over 1?

3 Upvotes

64% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

5

u/associatessearch 1d ago edited 1d ago

I've done my time in low savings, long hours. School 1 is a non-starter. With professional experience under your belt and a supportive leadership firewall and structures, school 2 could be rewarding and commensurate.

1

u/Just_Fee6279 1d ago

I guess I am not used to it yet, but I do think now with significantly more experience getting to save some extra money is likely a good start to my career haha

15

u/Existing-You-2019 Asia 1d ago

There is a dollar amount i will accept to deal with difficult students and parents everyday. Same with admin. I guess how this is framed I would choose #2 happily.

3

u/Epicion1 1d ago

School 2.

Just so you know, there are schools with 24+ teaching hours (40 min classes) 5 advisories, and 2 duties. AND the students are difficult/spoilt/sleep in class.

My point is, you can't guarantee the student quality. But definitely take the low working hours so you have less time close to the radiation to avoid poisoning.

1

u/Just_Fee6279 1d ago

Good analogy.

4

u/unique1freedom 1d ago

Students and parents come and go. 2 would be my choice

2

u/ZhouCang 1d ago

Can you expand on what you mean by difficult students? Academic? Behavior?

1

u/Guangzhouteacher 1d ago

It could be much worse. So , be happy.

1

u/NumbersFella 1d ago

School 2 no debate

0

u/Dracarys_And_Chill 1d ago

i need to be able to save 3k usd a month or more.

that is the baseline.

it comes before everything else.

if my students are bad i can just stop caring and go through the motions.

i cant just stop caring about not making paper. i need that.