PROVIDING PERSONAL, SPECIAL NEEDS CARE AT ST CHRISTOPHER’S
BROWN’S TOWN, St Ann
April 29, 2024
By Jodi-Ann Clarke
Marion Marshall loves the job she does. They call her a “Shadow”. That goes a little way in explaining how closely she works with and cares for a child with special needs.
Shadows many might call caregivers are impacting the educational journey of students with learning disabilities and behavioural challenges.
(Marion Marshall — a passion for care)
Marion Marshall is a dedicated 57-year-old shadow who works at the St. Christopher’s School for the Deaf in Brown’s Town, St. Ann.
“I have always had a passion [for] taking care of children so when I was told about the position I did not hesitate. As long as I can remember growing up, I always wanted to be a caregiver.”
Ms Marshall has been employed since September 2023 as a shadow. It’s one of 500 such Ministry of Education positions across the island.
“It allows me to do so much for students with special needs and help them reach their full potential. They are gifted students who just need a helping hand, and a shadow is just that,” said Ms Marshall.
Marshall works along with one other shadow at the school.
(Marion Marshall and Jammilia Hibbert)
Her job is to help special needs students with academic tasks and social interactions and to provide emotional support.
At St Christopher’s Ms Marshall takes pride in shadowing a five-year-old special needs student who has a physical disability that makes him have difficulty with toilet routines. She has to help him, and is now training him, to use the bathroom.
SCHOOL-HOME LINK
Some days when he breaks down, I will take him out of the classroom, take him for a walk, and try to comfort him. It is like being a parent away from home.”
Ms Marshall helps make that connection between work and home, for her special child and has a good relationship with the child’s mother. That means, in the daytime helping to keep the mother informed of what’s happening to the child at school.
In the classroom even though she is assigned to one student, Ms Marshall also tries her best to help out with others.
“You can know when these students are not at their best and when they feel down, so we try our best to calm them down and let them relax. We sweet them up and put on their favourite things to watch on the laptop or do outdoor activities,” said Ms Marshall.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Ms Marshall says her job is fulfilling even though it has not been easy. She tries her best to keep going.
“I love what I am doing, and every day is an opportunity to make a difference, knowing that I have been helping to brighten their day makes me feel fulfilled. After all these students are gifted, and I am learning so much from working with them. Yes, sometimes it can be
challenging but to be a shadow worker you must have patience, empathy and be dependable.”
(Within these walls at St Christopher’s there is an abundance of love and care)
PASSION FOR WORK
She says working with the other shadow at the school helps make the job easier. Her colleague is Jammilia Hibbert who started working as a shadow at the St. Christopher’s School for the Deaf, in January 2023. Marshall and Hibbert believe there is strength in unity.
Ms Hibbert who also has a passion for working with children said that she could not see herself in another career field.
“People might not fully understand the depth of what we do. I love working with children. I have children of my own, so I know the support that they need,” Ms Hibbert said.
Principal Lavern Stewart-Barnett also commended the impact shadows have on the children.
“The shadow placement is kind of new for us. It is something we have always wanted. Students who require a shadow are usually students who cannot sit for long, or they are not able to do a lot of things independently. It creates a more conducive environment when children can fully engage,” Said Stewart-Barnett.
For Ms Marshall, the staff support at St Christopher’s makes a world of difference. “The school makes it easier. The school staff are so supportive. I just wish that the government was doing more to raise awareness about shadows and of course, better pay,” she said. I do not see myself leaving this career path any time soon. This is my purpose.”
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