Contract Renewal Decision

While I was sick last week, my co-teacher was regularly checking up on me through text messages. She also noted that I needed to make a decision on whether or not I wanted to renew my contract for another year at the school. I was quite sick, yet she messaged me twice about my contract renewal decision, so I figured it was urgent. I asked her when I needed to make my decision, and she said October 15th. Thankfully, I didn't need to decide on my future while I was sick in bed. I had another week to think about it.

What should normally happen with contract renewals is that I should first receive a performance review, ideally with constructive feedback and a meeting with the school principal who decides whether or not to offer another contract. As with last year, I was not given a performance review and did not meet with the principal. I have never received any formal feedback. I take it as a good sign that the contract renewal is a mere formality because if I wasn't teaching well, I wouldn't've been offered a renewal. Yet, I feel it is the employer's obligation to provided performance feedback. And I would like to improve as a teacher, so the lack of feedback is disappointing. At worst, it indicates that what I do at school doesn't really matter. I'm just filling the position of native teacher.

The decision to renew or not is difficult. I am good at this job, and after nearly two years, it has never been easier. I have a good relationship with the students. My lessons have a better flow and are more fun than when I first started. The workload is manageable, if not tiring. 

There are still many issues with co-teaching and the annoying things that my co-teachers do in the classroom. It was very frustrating at first to have teachers interfere with my lesson after making zero effort to help me plan the lesson or even instruct me on what they wanted in the lesson. Yet, I am used to all of that now and it doesn't bother me as much because I have adapted to the situation.

After my first year, I chose to stay in Korea for a second year mainly because the pandemic was still raging. It would have been very difficult to find another job, especially in Canada where there were many social distancing restrictions. Korea was relatively safe, but travel in the country and surrounding region was not possible. As a result, I spent my second year concentrating on my work and staying close to home, visiting the same cafes and restaurants, and doing very little sightseeing. In that way, it has been disappointing and I have not had the experience I envisioned when I first decided to come to Korea.

Still, I have decided that two years will be enough, for now. I will not renew my contract. I don't know what I'll do next or where I'll go, but I know for sure that I will not continue with this job.

I informed my co-teacher of my decision and it was very awkward because before I could finish my sentence, she got very happy and said "you're staying?!". I had to tell her, no, I decided not to renew. It was uncomfortable, but I'm happy the decision is official. I haven't told anyone else about deciding not to renew, but I'm sure the other teachers and students will find out in due course.

I think the reason I decided not to renew is largely influenced by the pandemic. I have not been able to travel home to see my family or visit other interesting places. If I had the chance to go home during the two years, perhaps I would stay here longer. Also, in terms of the job, two years is more than enough to get the full experience. Much of school life is now being repeated, including the lessons that I teach.

I plan to enjoy my remaining months in South Korea and slowly look for my next opportunity. COVID-19 numbers are slightly down in Korea with vaccination rates very high. With any luck, I'll be able to do something fun during my winter vacation, before my contract expires.