Fatigue, depression, anxiety, stress: Students go through so much that goes unnoticed by those around them, especially their teachers. So, how can we as students help teachers understand us better and appreciate how our lives are so much different from theirs?

In education, it’s easy to assume that teachers know what it’s like to be a student; after all, they once were students themselves. However, the truth is that classrooms today are vastly different from what most of our teachers experienced. That’s why understanding what a school day is like for a student through a firsthand experience helps teachers truly understand what their students go through.

Seeing the school day from a student’s perspective gives educators an invaluable sense of empathy and awareness. 

According to ReachOut, taking a bit of time and care to get to know them as individuals can make you a more effective and impactful teacher. When teachers experience the pace, workload, and distractions that students face, they can design lessons that are more engaging and supportive. The shadowing program isn’t just an attempt to build empathy—it directly improves instruction. 

Programs like this also help teachers recognize the emotional and mental health factors that affect learning. 

According to TeacherCreatedMaterials (TCM), “feeling depressed, stressed, or anxious is now the No. 1 obstacle to students’ learning.”

Many educators may sense this simply from their impression, but shadowing allows them to see things like the fatigue, anxiety, and moments of disengagement that statistics can’t capture. Understanding these challenges firsthand gives teachers a clearer picture of what students need beyond academics, such as more frequent check-ins or a slower pacing of assignments.

Ultimately, this understanding helps build trust and insight, which in turn fosters a more positive and productive learning environment. Student shadowing builds empathy, reveals hidden barriers, and strengthens classroom relationships. 

As Steve Barkley (Education Consultant) reminds educators, “teachers cannot create personalized instruction or motivational environments without knowing their students.” By shadowing, teachers come to know their students not just as learners, but as whole people.