Nebraska Is Facing a Spanish Educator Shortage — And a New UNO Concentration Seeks to Address It

The Department of World Languages and Literature is excited to announce a new Spanish Education concentration within the Bachelor of Arts in World Languages and Literature.

Developed in partnership with UNO's Teacher Education Department (TED), the program is designed for students who are passionate about Spanish language and culture and who want to become certified Spanish teachers at the secondary (7–12) level.

Students in the program will build advanced proficiency in Spanish while studying linguistics, literature, culture, film, and Spanish for professional purposes. At the same time, they will complete coursework in educational foundations, adolescent development, literacy, instructional planning, classroom management and teaching methods. The program culminates in a student teaching experience that prepares graduates for Nebraska teacher certification and the World Languages–Spanish endorsement.

The new concentration responds to a growing need for qualified Spanish teachers in Nebraska and across the nation. According to Nebraska teacher workforce reports, World Languages has consistently been identified as a shortage area, with schools facing challenges in finding certified Spanish educators, particularly in rural communities.

By combining strong preparation in Spanish language and culture with professional teacher training, the Spanish Education concentration provides students with a clear pathway to a rewarding and meaningful career in education.

Here's what leaders are saying:

• Claudia Garcia, Ph.D., Professor of Spanish: “I’m very excited about our new concentration in Spanish Education. As a language educator myself, I can’t think of a more rewarding job. Each day that you go teach, you’re stating your belief in a better future for all. It’s really meaningful work. I expect our Spanish students will be as excited as I feel about this career path, especially when Nebraska schools badly need qualified teachers.”
• Sandra Rodriguez-Arroyo, D.Ed., Professor of Education: “School districts in Nebraska and beyond have a high need for secondary education Spanish teachers. This Spanish Education concentration, shared by TED and World Languages, will open more pathways for UNO students to see teaching as a real possibility.”

Students may begin declaring the new concentration. For more information, contact Jeannine Nyangira.