Way to Russia Talk Lounge

yorbcbud · Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 7:38 pm Post subject:

Here's my two cents worth. Helen says that she's been in business for 15 years. That means she's gone an awful long time without a complaint, especially is the first one was in 2005. So, yes, something is fishy there, maybe not only with the school. If you heard something first hand from someone with personal experience , then that is somewhat legitimate, although it could still be a disgruntled employee. But to just chime in with the intent to cause harm to someone is just wrong.
It's certainly possible that she is as bad as some people claim, but only the people who know about it, or personally know people who know about it should be commenting. Mediashark says she knows someone with personal experience, so her thoughts are legitimate. Vitaliy is just running off, with no experience at all, therefore his statements are not required at all.

vitalsigns · Lounge Wizard Joined: 25 Dec 2004 Posts: 2784

This sounds interesting:

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

I'm giving everyone the benefit of the doubt since I am not directly involved....but what media says is reason enough for concern

rodriguez · Just Starting Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Posts: 1

I hesitate to extend this discussion because it seems to be "dragging on " a bit. However, I have worked at Samantha School for three-plus years and would disagree with the description of it as a "dishonest" school. It's not for me to judge other people's experiences, so I will only share my own:

I have never had trouble getting paid. I also have never been docked pay for being late (which has happened more often than I want to admit) or been denied a request for time off, even for weeks at a time.

I have always had my own visa, but Helen has never asked or even suggested that I change it to Samantha School.

Helen has asked me to work additional hours numerous times. When possible/convenient I have said yes, and when I have refused, Helen has accepted this with no questions asked.

On the negative side, I think the school expects a lot (maybe too much) from people with no experience or genuine interest in teaching. Teachers are expected to produce daily lesson plans, create and administer tests and write evaluations for students. This is not the best place for people who just want to make some easy cash.

It also is true that I have seen Helen treat employees harshly, usually in times of stress (e.g., end of term) or after they have pushed her buttons for whatever reason. But it is her school--no one can complain to her boss because she IS the boss--welcome to the real world. And among the many bosses I have had, she hardly ranks among the most demanding or difficult.

P.S. I would have posted this sooner but my log-in activation got caught by my spam filter and it took me a while to register.

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

well there we have it...take the good with the bad...and I guess for those seeking temporary employment at any place...hey accept it for what it is and move on...but for those who seek to make a career at it then sure why not work to make what ever necessary changes. And to be honest we all react5 differently to different people and work well with some and not with others...it's life. Good luck to anyone and good luck to the Samantha School

Generation P · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 11:14 pm Post subject: Re: Samantha School experience

maruss · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 5:14 pm Post subject: New teachers?

Russia is not the place for a newcomer to the profession for many,many reasons: outside Moscow you will earn about enough to live on and maybe save a little which will be worth peanuts when you leave the country and convert it into $ etc.In Moscow you will need to earn much more to survive on and have a daily struggle to earn it,along with millions of others who are fighting to do the same!The ones who have it made in teaching there are the freelancers who are established and sit at home teaching their students who come to them,not the other way round!The cream on the cake always tastes best,but not everyone can have it!

Fire_Goddess · Guest

I am sorry but I have to agree with vitalsigns, on the tone of Helens post. Its as if she is seething with anger and barely containing herself. Then as Rodriguez stated she is harsh with people when under stress. What sort of stressful things occur for a director of a language school, and what has her stress got to do with the teachers? Also what right does she have to lash out at other adults in a supposedly "professional" environment? The woman also tried to give a backhanded insult to mediashark, which seemed to match the backhanded insult posted by another user in reference to an e-mail sent to his/her friend from Helen. So people are well within their rights to warn people against a possibly negative experience.

vitalsigns · Lounge Wizard Joined: 25 Dec 2004 Posts: 2784

You... agreed... with me? I am stunned. It's a nice feeling though. Smile

yorbcbud · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 7:47 pm Post subject:

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

true...and don't we all go through these situations in our own lives? I walked out of my house this morning to my neighbor being mad because my dog ran into his front yard scarring his cat. He tried bullying me while I started out trying to be appologetic and nice and making lite of the situation and saying it won't happen again....and yet he still continued to bully me...which he soon learned that he barked up the wrong tree with me. Life can be humbling sometimes. Problem solved-he won't confront me again and I will keep my dog out of his yard. And in that way we can be niegbors

mediashark · Moderator Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 1601

rodriguez, guys, thanks so much for the posts.

That was just about the only balanced account on the school I've read anywhere so far.

I am not going to sweep my first few posts under the carpet as Helen hopes I will do. I have already done more than my fair share to bring this issue to a discussion that has gone as far as this.

BTW, welcome back, Fire_g. Moderating WTR is not as fun without you. Sigh. Rolling Eyes

vitalsigns · Lounge Wizard Joined: 25 Dec 2004 Posts: 2784

jwilliams · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 9:38 pm Post subject: Samanatha School Problems

My experience with Helen happened back in 2000, and as I wrote in previous posts, the experience was very negative. The fact that she found out about this thread and is upset about it cracks me up! You can't treat people like garbage and think it will never come back to haunt you.

I assure everyone I am being 100% honest about my experience at the Samantha School. Other people may have had good experiences there, but I didn't and know several others who didn't as well. I spent many nights in Moscow with my expat friends crying about the situation and hoping everything was going to work out alright.

It may have happened 7 years ago, but my experience will last a lifetime! Now I guess she is in damage control mode, up to her usually tactics, spewing out personal attacks like she did in her post. How sad, and funny at the same time! Her post shows to me that she has not changed, and resorts to personal attacks when questioned about her practices.

Helen: you can't censor a message board! People have the right to speak freely about their teaching experiences at your school. If you're so upset about the negative comments, perhaps you should seriously reflect upon this and start changing the way you treat people!