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Lucrative Career Option of A 21st Century Shadow Teacher

15th April 2021

Generally, in an effective teaching-learning experience, 21st century teachers support children to advance the knowledge by gaining an understanding of the world around them. Nevertheless, there are many children who cannot learn at the same pace as their peers and may need some additional support in some areas. Well, this is where the role of a shadow teacher, or one on one support, starts.  

The term ‘shadow teacher’ may sound intimidating but nowadays, numerous parents prefer a shadow teacher over secluded special needs set-ups or special schools. Communication and association among the shadow teacher, the classroom teacher, and the parents are crucial when striving for accomplishment.

But who are the shadow teachers?

Does a school deliver one?

Does your child need a shadow teacher?

All this and more answered in this write-up!

Shadow Teacher

If we go by definition, a shadow teacher is an instructive assistant who works directly with a single kid with special needs in his/her early school years. They are the co-teachers who monitor and support a specific kid’s improvement in a class. They are often allotted to children with special needs as well in India. Usually, a shadow teacher is being employed by the family to deliver the extra support for the child with special needs throughout the school day.

The Role of a Shadow Teacher

The major goal of a shadow teacher is to help the learner necessitating Optimal Learning - OL, the provision in his/her school academics. Apart from helping student in building self-confidence, encouraging a positive interaction in the classroom on important concepts also comes under the job role of a shadow teacher.

Every single child is exclusive; consequently, the method and teaching approaches used by each shadow teacher are based on the specific needs of the individual kid. A shadow teacher also aids the learner to be equipped and organized for class by reminding the student to be a responsible and dedicated student. The role of the 21st century shadow teacher is to support the kid to stay attentive, contribute properly in class, and work in an environment where there are many distracters.

Also, a shadow teacher helps in building the special child’s communication skills and can also be deliberated as a skillful educator. Basically, a shadow teacher works as a bridge between the student and their peers making sure to work on numerous social goals. They also coordinate with the IEP team to meet the individualized need of the student, they aid the behavior therapists to comprehend the exact problematic behavior of the child. Shadow teacher can also deliver a sensory diet, as needed, to his/her student.
 

If we discuss more about the job role of a shadow teacher then these following areas are the checkpoints:
 

• The shadow teachers inform the teacher if the child does not understand the material
   
• The shadow teachers help in improving the communication skills of the kid
   
• They are also helping the kid to respond properly to his/her classmates in social situations
   
• The shadow teachers also prompt the child to initiate discussions with his/her peers

Now you may think why to opt for a shadow teacher?

Shadow teachers are in demand in the field of SEN, for the following reasons:
 

• In special educational needs field, parents of special needs children want their children to be a part of a normal, inclusive school instead of putting them in special schools.
   
• Shadow teachers are most beneficial to children in the 3 to 8 age group.
   
• Shadow teachers are being assigned for children with autism and ADHD, irrespective of class size.
   
• With the help of shadow teachers, children with different special needs can interact with their peers instead of studying in isolation.
   
• Shadow teachers help the learners to build his/her strengths, not his/her weaknesses.
   
• The student receives educational enrichment with the support of a shadow teacher.

Honestly speaking, it is quite hard to find a shadow teacher. In numerous schools or organizations, the shadow teachers take one on one sessions of their students and work on the weak areas. A shadow teacher plays an important role in the development of much-needed confidence of a child with special needs. The growing number of skilled and qualified shadow teachers over the past several years with shadow teacher training is a clear hint of the vital service that they provide.