What is the duty of a shadow teacher?
A shadow teacher's duty is to help one child with special needs take part in class learning and school life, while building their independence. Duties include giving prompts, adapting tasks, supporting communication and social interaction, helping with transitions and self-regulation, recording progress and working closely with the class teacher, special educator and parents.
What this means in practice
A shadow teacher is not a separate teacher for the child, and not an assistant who completes work for them. The class teacher remains responsible for teaching; the shadow teacher makes that teaching accessible.
Day-to-day duties
- Preparing the child for each lesson and transition.
- Breaking instructions into short, clear steps.
- Using visual supports and agreed prompts.
- Encouraging participation with classmates.
- Supporting calm-down routines when the child is overwhelmed.
- Keeping daily notes for the team.
Professional responsibilities
Keep information about the child confidential, follow the school's safeguarding policy, and raise concerns through the agreed route.
What shadow teachers should not do
- Complete the child's work for them.
- Take over teaching from the class teacher.
- Discipline other children.
- Share the child's information outside the team.
- Change IEP goals without agreement.
Practical next steps
- Agree your role in writing with the school and parents.
- Learn the child's IEP goals.
- Plan how to fade each prompt over time.
- Share brief daily notes.
What to keep in mind
Too much close support can reduce a child's independence and interaction with peers. Research on teaching assistants stresses supporting learning rather than replacing the teacher.
Common follow-up questions
Does a shadow teacher sit next to the child all day?
Not always. Good practice is to step back whenever the child can manage, and gradually increase that distance.
Should a shadow teacher help other children?
Sometimes, if agreed. Helping the group can also support the child's inclusion.
Sources
- EEF: Making best use of teaching assistants
- IRIS Center, Vanderbilt University: special education modules
Sources inform the explanation; examples are educational illustrations, not individual clinical advice. How these answers are prepared.