Believe me, I completely understand where you're coming from. I've worked as a RT a number of years before my current position and I was used as the "filler teacher".

I. Would often be called upon at a moment's notice to step into a class or to mind x,y,z child for whatever reason.

I can understand your frustration, as a teacher I also get frustrated when I get no notice or heads up even when there was clearly time for it.

I'm not going to lie and she there isn't a lot of absences due to god knows what. I mind a class while the teacher meets with the social worker or whoever... I'm the extra body to go in school tours or in swimming. Yes I would be much more effective teaching my kids but I go where I'm told.

I've experienced situations where a principal tries to stretch the sna or RT to the max... To the detriment of the child who is meant to be receiving support. And haven't exactly told the parents the full truth exactly... It annoys me too to see a disadvantaged child even less well off.

I'm amazed that you haven't had a meeting to plan together, I had one with each parent at least once a term with all relevant people there; psychologist, social workers, OTs etc... They way you've been treated seems to be very bad form. There are constant up and downs in schools and never enough resources but the lines of communication should be always open no matter what.

I know of many situations like yourself. The amount of times I beg to be let to do my job is unreal... We're stretched beyond measure. SNAs looking after 4 kids instead of the one they were assigned, as the SENO won't give us anymore...

The education system, especially at primary it's under such strain we are really, really doing our children, our country and its future a huge disservice. If I didn't laugh about it, I'd cry!