The special education and inclusive early childhood education teacher preparation programs in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Education and Human Sciences are expanding apprenticeship programs after being awarded funding from the Nebraska Department of Education.
The programs received $896,000 in the third round of the state’s “Grow Your Own” Teacher Apprenticeship Program.
The latest funding will allow the special education program to add a new cohort of 24 apprentices in January 2026, with completion in June 2027. It will include continued partnerships with Lincoln Public Schools and Bruning-Davenport Unified School District, while creating new partnerships with Ansley, Gothenburg, McCook, Ponca and Shelton public school systems.
“We are very excited to continue working with current partners with this new cohort of apprentices and bring in new partners from across the state to address the special education teacher shortage they are facing,” said Sue Kemp, professor of practice in special education and communication disorders. “It’s truly a great experience to be able to help paras achieve their goals of becoming highly qualified special education teachers.”
This marks the third time, including the pilot program, that the special education program in the College of Education and Human Sciences has received funding for apprenticeships. The first group of apprentices in the pilot program completed their programs in May. The newest cohort will be open to individuals currently working as paraprofessionals in their respective schools. It will include an option for apprentices with associate’s degrees to complete bachelor’s degrees alongside the requirements for the endorsement and licensure.
The inclusive early childhood education program received apprenticeship funding for the second time. The newest cohort of 12 students begins this fall and will complete their apprenticeships in June 2027. The new funding will continue the university’s current partnership with Lincoln Public Schools while adding a collaboration with Papillion La Vista Community Schools.
The Nebraska Department of Education's “Grow Your Own” award is supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Labor State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula grant and an annual $1 million investment from the state legislature.
