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Shadow Support Services
We provide Shadow support for children on top of our existing programmes. Students with behavioural issues, high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder, severe language learning difficulties, mild cognitive deficits, and/or ADHD may require shadow support as they struggle to integrate into classrooms and schools.
Children in schools are taught to develop academic skills, social skills, and independence. Teachers assist children to develop knowledge and gain an understanding of the world around them. Besides learning academics, teachers help children to understand the rules of play and social interaction, sharing, and caring. However, not all children learn at the same pace as their peers and may need additional support in some areas. Not all schools in Singapore are equipped to work with children with additional needs.
This is where the role of the shadow teacher, or one on one support, begins.
What is a Shadow Teacher?
By definition, a shadow teacher is an educational para-professional who works directly with a single child with additional needs in the school, therapy centre or home. These professionals understand a variety of learning disabilities and how to support them accordingly. Providing a shadow teacher allows the child to attend a mainstream class while receiving the extra attention that he/she needs. Shadow teachers are often referred to as paraprofessionals, student aides, and teacher aides.
Role of Shadow Teachers?
The role of a shadow teacher is to support the student at school by helping fill in the gaps in the learning process, help the student build self-confidence, as well as to promote positive interaction in the classroom by helping the student focus on important concepts, and overall help the student to develop academic and social skills. Every child is unique; therefore, the approach and teaching methods, and techniques used by each shadow teacher are designed based on the needs of the individual student.
Regardless of the grade or year level in which a shadow teacher is working, all shadow teachers serve a similar role: to help their students adapt to the school environment and to provide strategies that are necessary for growth. A shadow teacher can also be referred to as a skilled educator who works alongside the teacher in the classroom to provide academic, social, behavioral, and emotional support to students with learning differences. The increasing number of shadow teachers over the past several years is a clear indication of the vital service that they provide to their students.
Qualities of a Shadow Teacher in Singapore
Shadow teachers help students to realize their abilities, uniqueness, and potential while assisting the classroom teacher to do the same. Ultimately, shadow teachers establish the foundation for students to have an equal opportunity for an excellent education further ensuring that the speech-language therapy, educational therapy, and occupational therapy goals are implemented in the classroom situation
