The College of Education and Human Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln honored eight students completing the Nebraska Department of Education’s Nebraska Teacher Apprenticeship Program during a celebration on May 7.
The eight individuals were part of the first cohort of the teacher apprenticeship program collaboration between the university’s Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders, Lincoln Public Schools and the Nebraska Department of Education.
“I am thrilled to celebrate the success of the eight apprentices in special education who completed their training,” said Sue Kemp, professor of practice in special education and communication disorders. “I have had the privilege of watching them grow from outstanding paraeducators – who supported student learning without the responsibilities of planning and evaluation – into highly qualified special education teachers. Each of them has demonstrated an exceptional ability to immediately apply the strategies and skills taught by our faculty into their own teaching practices and behavior management.”
The eight apprentices completing their program were: Isaiah Collier, Lisa Fagler, Tanner Hilzer, Desa Ihde, Rhiannon Jurgens, Rachawadee Maungkya-Taveepanpun, Megan Nicholls and Abigail Traynowitz.
The apprentices completed a one-year on-the-job training program preparing them for endorsements in special education so they can begin successful careers as special education teachers. They will begin their full-time special education positions in Lincoln Public Schools in the fall.
“This program was created to fit a critical need in our schools and in our state,” said Kristy Weissling, interim chair of special education and communication disorders. “It was built on the simple principle that many of our best teachers were already working in our schools and all that was needed was a path to get there.”
The UNL-LPS partnership was one of three collaborations selected by NDE to receive funding for the apprenticeship program last year. Last fall, CEHS received additional funding from NDE to expand the apprenticeship partnership with LPS while also creating new partnerships with school districts in ESUs 5 and 6.
College of Education and Human Sciences
Special Education and Communication Disorders
