For many parents raising children with autism, developmental delays or other learning differences, finding the right support when it comes to education can be one of the biggest challenges.

While some children with special needs thrive in mainstream schools, they may still need extra guidance to adjust, learn, and grow alongside other learners. That is where a shadow teacher comes in.

Unlike the class teacher who is responsible for every pupil in class, a shadow teacher focuses on one child, guiding them through the school day while helping them become more independent. The role remains unfamiliar in many Kenyan schools, leading most parents to hire and pay shadow teachers privately.

Regina Wambui, 50, had worked as an event planner before losing her job in 2020. Her love for children, especially those with special needs, drew her to look for opportunities in schools.

Regina Wambui, has been a shadow teacher since 2023 shares her experience with a child with autism in her career.

Photo credit: Pool

"I adapted to it because I was already a Sunday school teacher. I have always loved children." Regina has worked as a shadow teacher since 2023.

She helps the child follow classroom routines, encourages them to complete their work, supports them during reading and writing, and guides them through activities such as drawing, singing and interacting with classmates. At the same time, she keeps the class teacher informed about the child's strengths, challenges and progress.

Read: Virtual autism: When too much TV, smartphone screen time hurts children

"Because you stay with the child most of the time, you understand them better. You can guide the teacher on what the child can do and what they need help with."

"The work of the shadow teacher is to guide, not to do the work for the child," she adds.

Sometimes, she shares, the support extends beyond children with autism but also children with learning difficulties.

Her experience started three years ago when a child with autism was brought by the parents to the school where she was teaching. When the child first arrived, he struggled with basic classroom routines.

"He preferred sitting on the floor, not on the chair,” she recalls. "Whenever he went back to the floor, I would tell him kindly to stand up and sit on the chair."

Social interaction was another challenge, as he would often fight with other children. Instead of punishing him, she focused on teaching him appropriate behaviour.

When Regina first met him, the boy barely spoke. If he wanted something, he would communicate by tapping her.

“I trained him how to talk. Eventually he could call his classmates by name," she says.

She recalls another child with speech-related autism who could not speak. “Now the child is in Grade Three. She can speak and write."

Experiences like these have convinced her that many children do not need a shadow teacher forever. For children with speech autism, it may only take about three years for them to learn and become independent, with just a little guidance.

Throughout the school day, she would just spend time with the child wherever they would go. "When the child became hyper, I didn't run after him. I would let him go and simply follow him," she says.

She would allow the child to play for several minutes before calmly inviting him back to class.

"A child with autism doesn't like being pushed. If they refuse, leave them for a while and calm them later," she says, adding that it is important to let the child mix with other children and not exclude them.

Small victories were celebrated by everyone and motivated the child to keep on trying. Still, she believes parents play a major role in supporting progress.

Read: Left behind in CBE: The silent struggle of learners with special needs

One habit she worries about is excessive screen time. "Children with speech autism may spend so much time singing cartoon songs instead of communicating with people. Parents should let children spend more time outdoors interacting with others.

She also advises parents to encourage independence rather than completing tasks on behalf of the child.

"There were times the boy refused to do his homework. I told the parents not to force him,” she recalls. If he came to school without completing it, he would finish it there under her guidance.

"We wanted him to learn responsibility. It is teaching every day and repeating until they learn and become independent."

Communication between parents and teachers is equally important. Every day, reports to parents help them keep up and understand what happened in school and continue the same routines at home.

One decision she believes parents should avoid making too quickly is changing schools. Because children with autism often rely heavily on routine and familiar people, frequent transfers can undo months of progress.

"The child starts all over again," she explains. "The teachers already know the child's strengths and weaknesses. The child should remain in the same school if possible."

Although shadow teaching can transform a child's school experience, Ms Regina says the profession remains largely overlooked.

Growing acceptance in schools

Many schools have not adopted the practice, leaving parents to negotiate and pay shadow teachers directly. The arrangement can be costly, making it difficult for some families to access the support their children need.

"Follow up with the teacher. If you notice something before your child starts school, let the teacher know. And if you are able, hire a shadow teacher," she adds.

Druscillah Kemuma has been a shadow teacher for close to nine years now with the her biggest goal is to help a child become independent.

Photo credit: Pool

Druscillah Kemuma has also been a shadow teacher for close to nine years now but also doubles up as a special needs teacher.

"My role is to support the student by helping them understand classroom instructions and simplifying learning tasks when necessary," she explains. "I also monitor their progress by observing and recording their academic, behavioural and social development throughout the year."

Before a child is assigned a shadow teacher, an assessment is usually carried out to understand their needs. This can happen in school or at assessment centres such as the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE). The assessment helps determine whether the child can cope independently in a mainstream classroom or whether they would benefit from additional support.

Read: Special schools face acute shortage of teachers

Ms Kemuma is currently supporting a learner with Down syndrome in a mainstream classroom. "When I first meet a child, I make sure I get to know and understand what they like. I use that to connect with them. I also make sure they understand that I am there to support them, not to control them."

Shadow teachers attend lessons just like everyone else. The difference is that they always follow a single child.

"We walk together to class, and I explain what to expect throughout the day, from the subjects they will learn to clubs and any changes in the timetable," she says. "I attend all the lessons with them and follow them during breaks and lunch. At the same time, I keep my distance so they do not feel too bothered."

Still, she shares that some lessons require closer support than others.

"She struggles with mathematics, so I sit next to her to help her stay focused during the lesson and to assist when needed."

According to Ms Kemuma, children who benefit most from shadow teaching are those who have behavioural challenges, struggle to follow classroom instructions or need additional academic support. These include learners with learning difficulties, Down syndrome, autism and other developmental conditions.

She believes that choosing the right school is just as important as finding the right shadow teacher.

"Parents should be more careful when choosing schools for learners who need additional help. The school also has to be supportive because, even with a shadow teacher, there are areas where the school must step in and make modifications, especially in academics."

"As a shadow teacher, one of my biggest goals is to help a child become independent. That may take longer for some children depending on their abilities," she adds.

She encourages independence by allowing the learner to attempt tasks before offering help, praising every effort even when the answer is not correct, and keeping instructions short and easy to understand.

An important link

"I always work with classroom teachers, parents and other professionals such as occupational therapists, all to assist the child,” she says.

Communication with families remains a key part of her work. She provides weekly updates on how lessons have gone and termly reports that show the child's progress throughout the school term.

How long a child needs a shadow teacher varies from one learner to another.

"It depends on the child's needs, strengths and even the environment, so it is not easy to predict,” Regina says.

Despite the growing need for shadow teachers, misconceptions about the profession still exist.

"One misconception is that shadow teachers are not trained teachers. We are trained teachers, not nannies. Every child is capable of learning when given the right support from professionals," Ms Kemuma says.

Both Ms Regina and Ms Kemuma agree that shadow teaching can be life-changing for a child when it is used in the right way.

“It allows children with different abilities to learn alongside their peers in regular classrooms without feeling excluded. Rather than separating learners, it gives them the support they need while helping them remain part of everyday school life,” says Regina.

In many cases, the shadow teacher becomes an important link between the class teacher, the parents and the child, making it easier to share progress, identify challenges and work towards common goals. Over time, this support can help build a child's confidence and steer them towards independence. The shadow teacher can also create opportunities for other learners to develop empathy, patience and acceptance as they learn alongside classmates with different abilities.

But shadow teaching is not without its challenges. One concern is the risk of overdependence.

“Without a clear plan to gradually reduce support, a child may become too reliant on the shadow teacher, making it harder to develop confidence and independence. There is also the possibility of drawing unwanted attention. A shadow teacher sitting beside a learner throughout the school day may unintentionally make the child feel different or affect the natural flow of classroom activities,” Ms Kemuma says.

Cost remains another challenge. In many cases, parents are responsible for hiring and paying shadow teachers, placing the service beyond the reach of some families who may need it most.

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