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!
Rather than a written essay, the Teacher Scholars Academy would like to see a video of 5 minutes in length or less about yourself. In this video, please do the following:
- Introduce yourself with your name, your school, and your intended area of teaching.
- Describe your background and any skills and experiences that make you unique or ideal for this scholarship program.
- Describe why you want to be a teacher and how you can make an impact through education.
- Explain, from your perspective, the connection between schools and their local communities.
- Tell us your greatest strength when working with youth/teaching and why that makes you a good candidate for TSA.
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 does this student work to build community in the classroom?
- What experiences does this student have that will make them an influential educator?
YouTube Video Link Instructions
- Film your 5 minute personal video answering all provided prompts
- Create a YouTube account and download your video to YouTube account
- Title your video: Last Name, First Name – UNL Teacher Scholars Academy Submission
- In the privacy settings, please make sure the link is ‘not-searchable.’ Others will not be able to view your video without the direct link
*Please note: Must be submitted with a YouTube link. We cannot accept other video formats such as iMovie, QuickTime, AVS, or others. If you make your link private, we will not be able to view your video and we will not be able to score your video for consideration.
Anticipated Timeline
February 1, 2026 – Applications close.
March 2026 – Students notified of movement into interview round. Scholars selected for interviews can expect to be interviewed in late March.
April 2026 – Students notified of final selections into Teacher Scholars Academy.