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Huang is raising a ten-year old son with severe cerebral palsy. It is often difficult for special needs children living in remote villages to obtain treatment for their condition. Fortunately for Huang, World Vision is running a project near her home specifically to help children with cerebral palsy. After a thorough assessment, her son started rehabilitation therapy, and Huang began receiving a living allowance to help with his care. Huang’s son made great progress with his therapy, first being unable to stand, then being able to walk a few steps, and finally being able to walk reasonably well. Huang was thrilled to see the changes in his ability!
When Huang’s son got older, he aged out of the services and was no longer able to receive free therapy, but Huang didn’t want to give up on his progress. After consulting with a teacher at the center where he had been getting treatment, Huang found a way. The center was just in the process of implementing a new life skills training program and was looking for teachers. Because Huang had accompanied her son during his treatment for so many years, she had accumulated relevant experience. Huang applied and was offered the teaching job!
In her new role, in addition to designing and teaching the life skills course, Huang also used the skills she had previously learned to administer rehabilitation therapy to two children with cerebral palsy. Slowly, she moved into a new role as a “shadow teacher.”
A shadow teacher is a unique position that exists in integrated classrooms, where special needs students study alongside mainstream students. The classroom teacher serves as the lead teacher for the entire class, while shadow teachers work directly with special needs children, helping them keep up with their work and coaching them in areas where they need particular support. Often, the shadow teacher is a bridge between children with special needs and their classmates and teachers.
Before becoming a shadow teacher, Huang only knew the role of being a parent. She accompanied her son day and night, always worried he would make mistakes. After serving as a shadow teacher for other children, she slowly learned to let go, encouraging the children she was helping to be as independent as they were able. World Vision sponsored Huang to participate in various trainings to help her grow as a shadow teacher. She participated in the Guangzhou shadow teacher training camp as well as an integrated education teacher training, an integrated curriculum practical workshop, and a language therapy special training. Huang is good at combining new training with her practical experience from her past.
Huang has been working as a shadow teacher since 2018. Currently, she also assists in case management, and she helps organize parent groups. In view of her outstanding performance, Huang was named “Outstanding Youth Social Worker” for 2019.
