I’m Teaching What?

When I was approached about teaching the high school course (Saturday and Sunday nights), one of the things that persuaded me to accept was I was told I would be teaching literature. I had visions of reading a classic and leading philosophical discussions about personal interpretations of the book. Kind of an Asian version of Dead Poets Society. What would it be?

The day before classes were scheduled to begin the president of the school handed me a book. Rich Dad Poor Dad. “Have you ever heard of this?” No. What is this? “It’s a very good book. This is what you will teach.” I began reading. It’s a book about how to get rich. A book on financial literacy. A book that a brick wall is more qualified to teach than me. Keep in mind, I’m teaching Korean high school students. This book is all about American tax law, real estate schemes, and changing your thinking about money. Topics that couldn’t be more irrelevant to Korean high school students. They hate this book. They find the vocabulary incredibly difficult to understand and the topic boring. I agree with them. But each week I try to prepare questions that will stimulate discussion and somehow make the topic more “real” for them.

Last week, the lesson was about corporations. I was trying to explain the tax benefits of forming a corporation (again, why would they care?). I was explaining how every April residents of the United States complete and submit income tax forms. I was trying to explain the difference between pre-tax and after-tax dollars. And deductions. And income tax brackets. Not the most exciting stuff. After a lengthy explanation I asked, “Are there any questions?” The students shook their heads no. So we were on to the next topic, I thought. One of the students said something to another in Korean. I asked him to repeat it in English. He said, “Oh, I tell Woo Sung about putting form in window.” What? What form? What window? “Tax form.” Okay. What window? “Car window.” What? “English teacher at school say rich people in America love to pay taxes. So put tax form in back windshield of car to show how many taxes they pay.” I stared at him incredulously. My first reaction was, That’s wrong. No one does that. But before I spoke I thought hard. Is this a custom I’m not aware of? Maybe in the midwest they do this? Then reality sank in. No. No, that’s not true. No one does that. “Really? Are you sure?” Yes, I’m sure. People want to avoid paying taxes. They want to pay as little as possible. And no one shares their income tax forms with other people, much less post them in their car windows. Is your English teacher at school from the United States? “No. He is Korean.” Has he lived in the U.S.? “No. He just heard.” He’s wrong. People really don’t do that. I could tell they didn’t know who to believe. Really. I swear. People do not put their income tax forms in their back windshields. Really.

The next day at school one of the other teachers said, “I was watching you on the internet last night. I heard you tell the students people put their income tax forms in their back windshield. Maybe in crazy California they do that, but I’ve never heard of *anyone* doing that.” I just stared at him. Sometimes life tires me.

So this weekend we had two main discussion points. 1 – Managing people is the hardest thing about running a business and 2- We learn from our mistakes. Okay, these lessons can translate to high school students’ lives. They’ve all been in leadership positions. And I’m sure they’ve made mistakes. I was looking forward to some good discussion. I asked the students to give me examples of when they had been in a leadership position. Several students had been, or are, their class president. Others have led groups at church or have led study groups. So far, so good. What is the hardest thing about being a leader? I asked. “Well, when people disagree. And I have to make decision. And some people very angry. They don’t like the decision.” Ohhh, I can see how that would be very difficult. What do you do to manage the situation? “I bring them food the next day.” I almost fell out of my chair. This is exactly what the administration at work does. Anytime there is a disagreement we get pastries, or coffee, or cake, or gift certificates to the local fast food chain, Lotteria. Is this a Korean custom? I asked. “No, but it works. People eat. They are happy. They forget about problem.” Students in all 3 of my classes gave the same example.

In my last class of the evening we were discussing how we learn from our mistakes. This class was particularly reticent. It was Sunday night at 10:30 pm. We were all tired. I said again, Tell me about a time when you made a mistake, but that you learned something valuable from it. All four students stared into their books. No one would look at me. Guys, this is the time when you talk to me. C’mon… They glanced up and giggled. But still no one spoke. Finally one student (who always offers convoluted examples) began. “One day I was walking in the street. And I came upon an obsticker.” Obsticker? “Obstacker. Obstucker. Ob… that thing in my way.” Oh, obstacle. Okay, you came upon an obstacle. Then what? “I hit it. Ouch. Right there.” Okay… so, what lesson did you learn from that? “That there was an obstacle in the street.” Professionally, I know I’m not supposed to laugh at any answers given. But I couldn’t help it. Master of the obvious, he is. With that, the bell rang. Okay, have a great week. Watch out for obstacles…