THE TEACHER SCHOLARS ACADEMY will grow the next generation of diverse educators that will lead the way for educational change. The program aim is to prepare the teachers who will be the backbone of school transformation, reflective thinkers who will continue to grow and develop beyond their degree. We intend that teachers who emerge from the academy will be engaged in ways that prepare students for the future.
EXPERIENCE
- Academy Seminar
- Peer Mentorship with Upper-Class Scholars
- Leadership Opportunities
- Shared Coursework with Peers
- Over the past two-years, Scholars have completed over 2,767 service projects with the Lincoln Lighthouse, Special Musicians, Teammates, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Lincoln Literacy, and local schools and daycare centers.
TSA
Qualifying Majors within the College of Education and Human Sciences
EARLY EDUCATION AND ELEMENTARY
- Special Education
- Elementary Education
- Early Childhood Education
- Inclusive Early Childhood
SECONDARY EDUCATION
- English
- Mathematics
- Foreign Languages
- Business, Marketing, and Information Technology
- Family Consumer Science
- Skilled and Technical Sciences
- Special Education
- Science
- Social Sciences
Requirements
- Meet all teaching program requirements and courses as determined by your approved teacher preparation major and course plan, on an adequate progression timeline as determined by the Faculty and Academic Advisors
- Complete service and research requirements as determined by the Coordinator and Faculty
- Attend all workshops and learning opportunities as determined by the Coordinator and Faculty
- Participate in all seminars associated with the Academy as determined by the Coordinator and Faculty
The Fall 2025 cohort application open to high school seniors interested in teaching closed February 1st.
The UNL Teacher Scholars Academy is now accepting applications for new applicants. Applications to TSA will be open to incoming first-year students who plan to enroll in a teacher education major starting in the fall semester of 2025. Applicants accepted into the UNL Teacher Scholars Academy will be awarded a scholarship of $10,000 per year ($5,000 fall semester, $5,000 spring semester) for up to 4 years of continuous enrollment in a CEHS teacher-education approved program.
To apply, you will need to submit a resume, a personal YouTube video, and a letter of support from a faculty member or previous educator. All materials can be submitted in the spaces provided below.
Your resumé should be 1-2 pages maximum in length and should highlight the key academic, work and volunteerism you have engaged in thus far. Try to use clear and consistent language throughout the resumé. Remember to highlight your specific skills and experiences that are noteworthy (such as bilingualism, life and schooling experiences outside the US, leadership roles within your community, school, home, or youth organizations, computer and software skills, etc.) Ask a teacher, a parent, and/or a counselor to assist you and to proofread your draft before submitting!
In your personal 3–5-minute YouTube Video please answer all the following prompts:
Introduce yourself with your name, your intended major (secondary or elementary education), your background, and any skills and experiences that make you unique or ideal for this scholarship program.
Describe how you hope to be a positive agent of change in education and why you believe you can make an impact as an educator in your community.
Describe what being an inclusive teacher means to you
Explain how this financial award and membership within the UNL Teacher Scholars Academy will impact your education career.
Please ask an educator to serve as a recommender for you and to write you a letter of support. Remember to ask them as soon as possible and consider asking more than one person, given that many educators are quite busy and have a great deal on their plate. Also, we suggest you send them your resumé soon after requesting their help. This resumé will assist them in writing you a stronger letter (as they can speak to more ways that you would make an excellent candidate). Please ask your recommender to highlight/discuss the following in their letter:
How will this student create an inclusive classroom environment?
What experiences does this student have that will make them an influential educator?
2000+ hours of collective service completed by students.
57 of the 77 TSA graduates are currently teaching in Nebraska.
75 have graduated with their teacher certifications.
33% of Teacher Scholars are first-generation students.
31% of Teacher Scholars identify as a member of a historically marginalized community.
Equitable and Inclusive Graduates value classroom and school environments that allow them to articulate and embrace the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Well-Being Graduates understand the importance of mental health and wellbeing for educators and students.
Supportive and Engaged Graduates feel better equipped to teach because of their involvement with UNL Teacher Scholar Academy. Being a member built professional relationships that will last throughout their teaching career and was crucial to their success at UNL.
“To hear how much of an impact the university has on my peers is inspiring. UNL has given so much to me, so I feel like I should give back and help my peers and this university find the best versions of themselves.”
- Paul Pechous, Teacher Scholar Special Education (7-12) major, ASUN president, student regent
