Experiences of shadow teachers in the inclusive educational support of students with Down syndrome

Abstract

The educational inclusion of students with Down syndrome requires support systems capable of addressing diversity without replacing the student's own participation or shifting the pedagogical responsibility away from the classroom teacher. This study aimed to interpret the experiences of shadow teachers in providing inclusive educational support to students with Down syndrome in General Basic Education, within the framework of the university outreach project "El nuevo desafío de la inclusión universitaria: estrategias de refuerzo académico para jóvenes con diversidad funcional (discapacidad)". The research employed a qualitative approach, grounded in an interpretive paradigm and a hermeneutic-phenomenological design. Three shadow teachers (MSA1, MSW2, and MSB3) participated, selected through purposive, criterion-based non-probability sampling. Data were collected through individual, asynchronous semi-structured interviews via WhatsApp and analyzed using initial and analytical coding, alongside interpretive memos. Thematic sufficiency was assessed across the entire dataset. The participants' experiences were then compared and triangulated with the theoretical framework. The analysis yielded eight thematic axes: the value of the experience; the reality of educational inclusion; methodology and strategies; the role of the shadow teacher; challenges in providing support; support and collaboration networks; vocation and motivation; and proposals for improvement. The experiences analyzed suggest that this support functions as a mediating pedagogical practice that fosters student autonomy, the adaptation of strategies, and collaboration between families and teachers, though challenges persist regarding resources, teacher training, school pacing, and time constraints.