What is the NE Early Literacy Workshop?
Empowering Educators, Motivating Readers, Transforming Futures
The mission of the Nebraska Early Literacy Workshop exists to empower educators with evidence-based instructional practices that transform the way children learn to read.
Through collaborative learning, hands-on experiences, and independent activities, we help teachers deepen their understanding of early literacy development, gain practical strategies for instruction, and foster a lifelong love of reading in their students.
Together, we are building a community of passionate educators committed to ensuring that every child in Nebraska has the opportunity to succeed.
The NE Early Literacy Workshop would not be possible without the generous support and collaboration of key Nebraska philanthropic partners.
We also want to acknowledge the University of Nebraska Omaha's (UNO) administrative team and the Metropolitan Omaha Educational Consortium (MOEC) for their leadership and coordination in bringing the workshop to the state.
Most importantly, the workshop recognizes the partnering school districts and participating educators whose dedication and enthusiasm drive meaningful change in classrooms across Nebraska.
At No Cost to Districts or Participants
The NE Early Literacy Workshop is a fully funded professional learning opportunity made possible through the generosity of Nebraska's philanthropic donors. Their support ensures that both public and private school districts—and all K-3 educators— participate at no cost.
Additionally, donors provide funding for participants to receive compensation upon successful completion of the Workshop. Participants may choose to receive either a $1,300 stipend or three graduate credits from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO).
These extremely generous Nebraska donors provide the funding for this initiative, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing early literacy instruction and supporting educators in making a lasting impact on young learners.
Who Is The Workshop For...
- District and building-level ELA or Literacy Specialists
- Elementary Principals & Assistant Principals
- Curriculum Specialists
- K–3rd Grade Teachers
- Special Education Teachers
- Reading Interventionists
- Title 1 Teachers
- English Language Learner (ELL/MLL) Teachers
What Are People Saying About the Workshop?
“Dr. Lemke has been a phenomenal steward of literacy and has really been staying on top of all of the best practices. The team is really being intentional so that, whether it [the Workshop] scales to Scottsbluff or Plainview, or anywhere in this state, it’s going to be the same quality for all.” - Dr. Gomez Johnson, UNO Chair of Teacher Education
Our Commitment
Our commitment is to build strong literacy instruction as the foundation of lifelong learning. By investing in teachers, we invest in Nebraska’s future.
History
The Nebraska Early Literacy Workshop was created in direct response to the state’s commitment to improving reading outcomes for all children.
- In 2018, the Nebraska Legislature passed the Nebraska Reading Improvement Act, setting the expectation that every student will read at or above grade level by the third grade.
- In 2022, the Metropolitan Omaha Educational Consortium (MOEC) invited Dr. Jennifer Lemke to design a professional development and graduate-level course grounded in the Science of Reading.
- By 2023, the first cohort of educators had begun their journey, and new partnerships and funding had expanded the workshop’s reach.
- In 2024, a mandate came forth that the State Department of Education shall develop and implement a professional learning system to help provide sustained professional learning and training regarding evidence-based reading instruction for teachers who teach children from four years of age through third grade at an approved or accredited school and teachers employed by an early childhood education program approved by the State Board of Education. The professional learning system shall include information and tips for teachers related to helping children and families work with local family literacy centers to strengthen home and family literacy programs and better instruct children in reading.
- In 2024–2025, the workshop partnered with 11 districts across the state, equipping 557 educators with proven strategies and positively impacting nearly 20,000 students.
- Looking ahead, the Nebraska Early Literacy Workshop has set an ambitious goal: to provide professional development in evidence-based reading instruction to over 7,000 educators by 2030, ensuring that thousands more Nebraska students become confident and capable readers.
Exceptional Practices
📑 Aligned with Nebraska’s Professional Learning Rubric
Each session of the NE Early Literacy Workshop is designed around the Nebraska Department of Education’s approved literacy professional learning rubric, ensuring that educators meet state expectations for professional development.
📘 Supports the Nebraska Reading Improvement Act
The NE Early Literacy Workshop supports the 2018 mandate for all students to be reading at or above grade level by the third grade, while providing teachers with hands-on training in the Science of Reading and how to apply it in their classrooms.
🔬 Grounded in Evidence-Based Practices
Educators are trained in the five pillars of early literacy throughout the Workshop: phonological & phonemic awareness, phonics and decoding, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension — all elements are emphasized in state and national literacy frameworks.
🏫 Integrated with School & District Systems
Additional resources, including Leaders' Guides, Module Managers, and Administrator Resources, help connect district leaders with the workshop experience to the district’s ELA curriculum, MTSS models, grade-level meetings, and professional learning communities.
Workshop Highlights 2024-2025 Academic Year
- 557 educators trained across 11 districts
- 19,586 students impacted by stronger literacy instruction
- $453,700 in stipends awarded to participating teachers
- 249 graduate credit hours earned
- 46 facilitators trained to expand the workshop’s reach statewide
Contact Us Today to Learn More
Contact us at NELiteracy@unomaha.edu to learn more about how we can customize your professional learning experience to align with your district's ELA goals, curriculum, and professional development to meet your needs at no cost to your district or participants.