A shadow teacher is a support professional who works closely with an individual learner to help participation, independence, communication, behaviour or access to classroom learning. The exact role varies by school and country.
What this means in practice
Effective shadow support should avoid creating unnecessary dependence. The long-term aim is usually to help the learner participate as independently as possible while coordinating with the classroom teacher and family.
Training can help with observation, prompting, behaviour support, communication and documentation, but the shadow teacher should work within the school’s support plan and professional boundaries.
What should you check before deciding?
- School definition of the role
- The learner’s individual support plan
- Supervision and communication arrangements
- Any local qualification requirements
Important distinction
A shadow teacher is not automatically a therapist or special-education teacher, and should not make clinical diagnoses.
Related LCT pathway
LCT Special Education training can provide relevant educator foundations for learning-support roles.
Explore Special Education training