Piaget Kids Academy (Gangdong)

Piaget Kids Academy Gangdong-gu Seoul

I am a foreign teacher at Piaget Kids Academy in Gangdong-gu.

I get along well with everyone, and I mean everyone.

We get all of our vacation days. First year, ten days plus one additional day of free choice. From the second year, ten days plus five additional days of free choice. Even if you need more additional days off, it is usually no problem if you tell the management on time.

Pay is always on time, according to Korean law.

Books are always ordered on time and there is a clear classroom structure.

Also, unlike some other places, there is no real pressure to finish the books on time. It is more important that the children really understand everything.

I like working at Piaget Kids Academy!!!

You start off thinking everything is great, especially in terms of openness to feedback/input. But then things shift surely. The following has happened since March 2024:

-There was a complete English staff turnover Mar 2024 (as in the whole English teachers team left and replacements were found). Then 2 teachers left mid-contract Oct 2024 (1 of the 2 positions was already a replacement for a midnight run), and 4 Korean teachers left Feb 2025.

-Within one month of the new school year, the quota had been met. And then the following changes happened within ONE SEMESTER: 2 additional kindergarten classrooms opened, classes were level based (many parents disapproved and pulled kids out), additional afterschool classes opened, and a 3rd kindergarten class was to be opened but the FT canceled the contract. It was no longer a fun learning environment as promised, but focused on completing level-based books/curriculum.

-As the school year progressed, there were more and more special events happening, which required all hands on deck; this came with the expectation to stay OT to complete the setup/decorate. So now you have to prep for all these special events, leaving you less time to prep for your regular classes.

-The illusion of support, accommodation, reciprocity and leadership was created. It's all "democracy" until it wasn t; and then, explicit statements of order/demand was given. And if you express your opinion otherwise, then all of a sudden you weren t a team player.

-Like many schools, it s a money-making business and all about withholding a good image so parents want to enroll their kids the following year.

-Another teacher pulled a midnight run Apr 2025, [redacted], [redacted], a new KT that was hired left within 1 month, and another KT left abruptly.

It s better to avoid than tolerate such a work environment.

[redacted]

Do not work here. Everything stated in the job post and interview were lies. The 100% kindy classes are in fact Kindy + elementary classes. You must eat with the kids during lunch break. "Easy workload" is actually overworking to the point of overtime. New rules being implemented almost daily, yet poor communication of these rules. Classrooms rarely have materials, such as student books.