Feel like a stopgap

[Serena1977]

I'm an ECT1. Got my first post in Nov for 1 year maternity cover. Teacher has been in twice since she went on leave and both times I didnt know she was coming.

She just comes in the classroom no matter where I'm at in a lesson, strides to the front and of course the children are delighted to see her and baby then off she waltzes out.

It makes me feel so disposable. Then after school, I notice she is in the head's office with the deputy and chair of governors.

I now am wondering that she's coming back earlier that November, I thought she might come back just before the summer hols so she got paid during the hols but because it's only Feb, I think she is going to come back even earlier.

I'm so sad because I've put in so much work, more than I need to, to impress and i need the money and I like the school and class and because teaching improves my self esteem because it makes me feel like i am a part of something and making a real difference.

What do I do next? I feel shit about it.

I think you're looking so much into it - it could be just that she is having a Keepingin Touch (KIT) day.
Even if she does come back - she probably won’t want to come back full time and in essence will probably just be a cover teacher until she comes back full time. I can’t see the HT instigating further disruption to learning.

I think you’ll be ok

The most important thing to focus on is getting induction done. You'll have a term under your belt by Easter and two by summer.

You’re reading far too much into it. It’s either a KIT day or she’s popping in to show the baby off to her colleagues. She certainly won’t be coming back early to spite you!

Sorry you feel disposable it's really tough being a temporary cover.

I'm not up to-date with the new ECT but just do your best and get a good reference and tick al the boxes you need to.

Now is the PERFECT time to look for a permanent job for September.

You can leave any time remember! You don't have to wait until they are ready to come back.

One maternity cover colleague started in December and it was the usual "for a year" terms but actually got a job for the September so we muddled through until the the regular teacher came back with supply and HTLAS.