Kindergarten calls the Cops on Foreign English Teacher

Work Teaching English in Taiwan
1

So my gf has a 3-year-old that goes to a nice kindergarten in Chiayi City and recently she’s been telling me about the nice interactions between her son and his English teacher. Then yesterday she (along with all the other parents) got a message from the school regarding this teacher. I’ve used Google Translate and changed the names but it reads:

Dear parents:

We sincerely wish to inform you of the situation regarding our school’s external teacher, Ted. He has repeatedly disobeyed instructions from the school’s supervisor, maintaining a stubborn attitude and even verbally abusing the supervisor. After repeated attempts to persuade him failed, the school, concerned about the impact on the children’s future, sought a meeting with him on September 19th, accompanied by a lawyer, to discuss the termination of his contract. However, he refused to meet with the school, and the school subsequently mailed a formal letter of termination that same day.

This morning, the foreign teacher tried to enter the campus without permission and take personal belongings. Considering that his emotional state might be unstable, and to maintain campus safety, the school immediately called the police and asked them to assist in handling the matter.

The school has always prioritized the safety of children and a positive learning environment. Security cameras are installed at all entrances and exits to ensure the foreign teacher is not allowed to enter the school. We deeply apologize for any inconvenience this incident may have caused and hope for your understanding and support.

Sincerely, The Kindergarten

Later that day, my gf received a phone call from the school explaining the situation in more detail. Her message to me after that phone call:

Baby, I just got a call from the kindergarten explaining the reason why the foreign teacher left. They said it was because the teacher never prepared lessons. The kindergarten had repeatedly advised and tried to show him roughly how to do it, but he kept refusing to take any suggestions. In the end, he lost his temper with the director, had an emotional breakdown, and they even had to call the police. So now the kindergarten is asking all parents to pick up their children at the side gate, because they’re worried the foreign teacher might have another breakdown and come to the school, affecting the kids. At the same time, they’ve already hired a new foreign teacher named Kimmy.

She also told me that he had only been at the school for a short time. So I guess I’m posting this to get your opinions. I’ve never worked at a kindergarten here but I’ve read and heard some horror stories about working at some private schools here. Wondering if you think there might be more to this story or if I should just accept it at face value i.e. that Ted was a bad teacher and eventually became somewhat dangerous.

2 Likes
2

It seems plausible. Maybe it wasn’t totally necessary for them to call the police, but I’m sure they don’t really love having police show up at the school.

3 Likes
3

Sounds to me like he had made the threats before.

4

It should be a one strike and you’re out. For sure they would’ve been “oh but on the other hand the kids like him”.

5

they probably don’t pay him enough to be bothered with lesson planning…

but i don’t doubt there’s a possibility he was a bit off the rails

2 Likes
6

My guess is it went like this:

He was fired via line message outside of work.

He then shows up the next day for his belongings. The security guard politely tells him he cannot enter the campus.

Instead of being civil about it and asking politely for them to bring his stuff to the gate he verbally abuses the security guard who subsequently calls the police. (The police eventually negotiate with the school to escort him into the school to help him collect his belongings.)

Honestly I’ve been in a similar situation with a former school. Myself and another coworker gave resignation letters, I was able to get all of my belongings before leaving however my co worker who was recovering from a scooter accident wasn’t able to as he had no car.

So we came back a week later when I had the time to help and the school wouldn’t let us in.

So we waited politely outside until eventually the director gathered the belongings and brought them to the gate for us.

1 Like
7

Who needs a lesson plan when you have a sticky ball? :laughing: I haven’t taught an English class in 15 years but I could still do that in my sleep.

5 Likes
8

esp for kindy, yeah. No need to plan. Choose a book and go play some games.

4 Likes
9

Yeah, sounds a bit overly formal expecting a lesson plan at kindy level. I think I’d be a bit pissed off if a boss demanded that from me.

2 Likes
10

Public schools and kindergartens usually have a policy to only allow permitted persons during school hours.
Even parents need a reason and permission to enter the grounds.
After hours and during pick up time those restrictions are lifted.

:2cents: as a parent whose children go to public school

4 Likes
11

Kimmy get out while you still can.

7 Likes
12

See, this is Schrödinger’s kindy. I can equally believe the kindy principal being a vindictive dick, and also believe this was another unhinged westerner who couldn’t land a teaching job in the states because he’s half nuts. Don’t know which is true, probably a bit of both. I thought westerners were banned from teaching kindy anyway.

3 Likes
13

Yeah, I can equally believe both scenarios as well. If only ‘Ted’ found this post and offered his side of the story.

I’m not sure about the ban but it’s a private Kindy if that matters.

3 Likes