tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239424148799049664.post5257503240841598075..comments2013-05-18T20:30:25.530-07:00Comments on Bullet Trains and Bicycles: When lines are crossedBron Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342937349046896868noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239424148799049664.post-71722467726817168832012-05-22T01:30:18.380-07:002012-05-22T01:30:18.380-07:00Sorry to hear you had some lines that were crossed...Sorry to hear you had some lines that were crossed. I commend you for being open to the changes and the culture, and also recognizing what battles to pick. Many teachers who have been here longer have yet to view their position as such, and will continue to be unhappy in their roles that are blurred with unrealistic expectations on how they should be treated here.<br /><br />That being said, I commend you again for bringing up a situation that you feel crossed a line and not only upset you, but made you feel uncomfortable. I can pick up on the kind of thing that was said to you or how you were treated because I understand that some of these kids are not only fearless in their criticisms, but unaware that what they are saying can come across as cruel or a "faux pas" to a foreigner.<br /><br />You did the right thing in confiding in someone you trust at your school, and you can only let it go and trust that the students were appropriately disciplined or enlightened. That is out of your hands and although you don't seem as though you would be the kind of person to worry much, it is worth it to say now that all you can do is move on from here.<br /><br />To relate, I have a class of students who would never pull the kind of shenanigans with the Korean teachers as they do with me, and I have made it clear to the students and my co-teachers that I will not tolerate this kind of behavior. If I feel inclined to discipline myself, I will. When I do approach the situation on my own, I will notice a shift in behavior from the students who, strangely enough, do respect me more after I put my foot down. They do have to know that you are in control of the classroom, and they are only making it harder on themselves by acting out.<br /><br />Keep your chin up, as you always do. You already understand many people go through similar circumstances and you are not alone in dealing with misbehaving adolescences.<br /><br />Cheers, darling. Stay fabulous.Adinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18005998774163577440noreply@blogger.com