The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Education and Human Sciences honored 22 students who have completed the Nebraska Department of Education’s Nebraska Teacher Apprenticeship Program at a celebration May 6.
The students, representing nine Nebraska school districts, completed a one-year on-the-job training program preparing them for endorsements in special education to fill the critical need for special education teachers in Nebraska schools.
“Since beginning the special education apprentice program, I have witnessed amazing paraeducators transformed into exceptional special education teachers,” said Sue Kemp, professor of practice in special education and communication disorders. “By removing the financial barriers, they have been able to achieve their dreams of being teachers and will have a broader impact on students.”
Lindsey Messman, an apprentice with Bruning-Davenport Unified School District, worked in human resources before becoming a stay-at-home mom. She re-entered the workforce as a paraeducator because she wanted her schedule to more closely align with her children’s.
“I really enjoyed my first year being a para, and I’m so thankful this opportunity came up for me to begin a new career as a teacher,” she said. “It has been a great hands-on learning program, and I’m so appreciative of being in this program with these other wonderful teachers, incredible professors and amazing advisers.”
Lisa Nelson, an apprentice with Norris School District 160, said: “This program has meant a lot to me as it has allowed me to get my special education certification without having to go back to school and take time off work to attend class or student teach.”
Following is the list of students who completed the special education apprenticeship program, listed alphabetically by name, with the school district where they completed their apprenticeship.
- Anna Ackah, Lincoln Public Schools
- Seleste Avelar, Lincoln Public Schools
- Heather Black, Centennial Public School
- John Blatchford, Lincoln Public Schools
- Katy Davis, Crete Public Schools
- Kaytlin Hansmeyer, Norris School District 160
- Tim Herman, Crete Public Schools
- Liesal Hoffman, York Public Schools
- Christina Jackson, Lincoln Public Schools
- Brittany Johnson, Lincoln Public Schools
- Kirsten Krutak, Lincoln Public Schools
- Austin Luger, Crete Public Schools
- Lindsey Messman, Bruning-Davenport Unified School District
- Stephanie Morrow, Crete Public Schools
- Lisa Nelson, Norris School District 160
- Ashley Ockinga, Waverly School District 145
- Jamie Riley, Seward Public Schools
- Sara Roberts, Lincoln Public Schools
- Noah Stafursky, Lincoln Public Schools
- Josie Sullivan, Crete Public Schools
- Eve Tomlinson, Beatrice Public Schools
- Amy VanMeveren, Lincoln Public Schools
This is the second cohort to complete the teacher apprenticeship program, a collaboration between the university’s Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders and the Nebraska Department of Education. The first cohort was a partnership with Lincoln Public Schools before the program expanded to include school districts from Educational Service Units 5 and 6 in Nebraska. Another group of apprentices, which includes paraeducators at Fairbury and Gothenburg schools, began in January.
