Shadow Teacher

- A shadow teacher assistant (shadow TA) is an educational assistant who works directly with a single child to cater to his special needs, provides a progressive form of assistance that acts as a resource for the school.

- Having the intensive support from the shadow TA allows the child to attend a mainstream class while receiving the extra attention that he needs. In addition, the shadow TA helps provide the students with continuity in their classes, instils responsibility, fosters independence and encourages learning. Shadow TAs are extensively trained to help the student interact with others and to assist with the child's schoolwork.

Key Performance Areas:

- The role of the shadow teacher/assistant in the classroom is to help his/her student:

- The shadow TA supports the student that needs optimal learning in his/her school academics by assisting in the learning process, to build self-con¬dence as well as to promote positive interaction in the classroom by helping the student focus on important concepts being explored, over all helping the student develop the required academic skills.

- Every child is unique; therefore, the approach and teaching methods and techniques used by each shadow teacher/assistant with each speci¬c student will di er.

- Stay focused;

- Participate appropriately in class;

- Notify the teacher if he does not understand the material;

- Function in an environment where there are many distractions;

- Be positive in his/her approach to new tasks; and helping him/her to gain self control of the task at hand.

- Improve communication by maintaining eye contact;

- Encouraging him/her to ask for help from his/her teachers;

- Prompting him/her to initiate discussions with his/her peers;

- Encouraging him/her to learn the interests of his/her classmates.