Skip to main content
University of Nebraska Omaha logo University of Nebraska Omaha
APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY

Students Faculty Staff Community
University of Nebraska Omaha logo
College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY
Students Faculty Staff Community
  • About Us Backback to Main menu
    • About Us
    • News
    • CEHHS Instructional Technology Office
    • Faculty & Staff Directory
    • Publications
  • Academics Backback to Main menu
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • Graduate Programs
    • Teacher Certification Pathways
    • Academic Advising and Field Experiences
    • Study Abroad
    • Academic Policies & Procedures
    • Accreditation
  • Admissions Backback to Main menu
    • Admissions
    • Apply
    • Scholarships
    • Graduate Assistantships
  • Student Involvement
  • Community Engagement Backback to Main menu
    • Community Engagement
    • Community Counseling Clinic
    • Speech-Language Hearing Clinic
    • Metropolitan Omaha Educational Consortium
    • Phi Delta Kappa
    • Service Learning
  • Research Backback to Main menu
    • Research and Creative Activity
    • Health and Kinesiology
    • Biomechanics Research Building
    • Center for Research in Human Movement Variability
    • Journal of Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leadership in Education
  • Support Us
  1. UNO
  2. College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
  3. News
  4. 2022
  5. 10
  6. Teacher Education Supports Literacy Initiatives

Teacher Education Supports Literacy Initiatives

  • contact: College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
  • email: unocehhs@unomaha.edu
Dr. Jennifer Lemke stands at the front of a classroom holding a children's book

Assistant Professor Jennifer Lemke, Ed.D. leads the UNO Literacy Program with a team of Teacher Education and Library Science faculty members.

Across the U.S, states and school districts are implementing Science of Reading (SoR), a science-based, interdisciplinary approach to literacy instruction drawing from two decades of research into how children learn to read. In 2021, Nebraska revised the English Language Arts (ELA) standards to incorporate SoR, and Omaha-area classroom teachers are being supported in the rollout by the Teacher Education Department (TED).

"Literacy is important because it's embedded in everything that we expect kids to do," explains Assistant Professor Jennifer Lemke, Ed.D.

"Providing instruction and opportunities for students to learn how to read and how to make sense of what they are reading will not only benefit students across the content areas, but in their everyday life. Authentic reading, writing, listening and speaking opportunities need to be embedded in everything we do."

Literacy is important because it's embedded in everything that we expect kids to do."

 Assistant Professor Jennifer Lemke, Ed.D.

Dr. Lemke leads the UNO Literacy Program with a team of Teacher Education and Library Science faculty who work to incorporate SoR into UNO’s Educator Prep Program curriculum and graduate coursework. The team also provides customized support for school districts.

"Dr. Julie Bell and I have been collaborating with Westside Community Schools over the past year as they look to adopt a new ELA curriculum. We provided professional learning that examined evidence-based practices through the lens of Scarborough's Rope, an SoR framework represented in our new standards."

Dr. Lemke continues, "In 2023, UNO will collaborate with Bennington Public Schools to offer in-district graduate courses. These courses, taught by district leaders, will enhance teachers' knowledge of evidence-based literacy practices and serve as a pathway for teachers to complete an advanced degree or endorsement."

Another literacy support for teachers is the annual Metlink Literacy Conference, a TED-hosted event connecting PK-12 teachers through evidence-based practices. Teachers from MOEC districts can now attend Metlink for no cost, thanks to funding from MOEC director, Martha Bruckner, Ed.D.

"We've been intentional in making sure the breakout sessions and keynote speaker for the Metlink conferences reflect literacy happenings on the state level and provide teachers with knowledge and applicable strategies to implement in the classroom," said Dr. Lemke.

At the spring conference, the keynote speaker was Colby Sharp, a 5th grade teacher, author, and national speaker with a platform of helping kids find motivation to read and fall in love with reading.

Colby Sharp at Metlink

Keynote Speaker Colby Sharp with participants at Metlink

"Knowing how important both the skill and will to developing lifelong readers is, we focus on both in our literacy program at UNO," said Dr. Lemke.

The audience agreed. "This conference helped me get excited about teaching reading again," said one Metlink participant. "I left feeling motivated to try to get my students to LOVE reading in the next five weeks."


This story appeared in the most recent issue of the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences Annual Report.

News Sections

  • College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences News Center
  • UNO News Center
  • Maverick Daily
  • The Bullseye
  • Campus Events

Featured

  • Health Science Collaborative Nears Completion
  • American Sign Language Minor Thrives in First Year
  • UNO Launches Statewide Learning Hub for Nebraska Educators
  • Education Students Experience Global Learning in Kenya

Most Viewed

  • Educational Leadership Programs Now 100% Online
  • Parkinson Voice Project Supports Education and Therapy in Speech-Language Clinic
  • Teacher Education Supports Literacy Initiatives

Contact Us

If you have a story idea, news tip or inquiry please contact us at:

  • College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
  • Email: unocehhs@unomaha.edu
  • Phone: 402.554.2719

About the College of Education

College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences

Contact Us
  • College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
  • Roskens Hall
  • 6001 Dodge Street
  • Omaha, NE 68182   map
  • 402.554.2719
Social media
Academic Units
  • Department of Biomechanics
  • Department of Counseling
  • Department of Educational Leadership
  • School of Health and Kinesiology
  • Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders
  • Teacher Education Department
roskens hall

Next Steps

  • Visit UNO
  • Request Information
  • Apply for Admission
  • The UNO Advantage
  • Our City (Omaha)

Just For You

  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Work at UNO
  • Faculty and Staff
  • A-Z List

Popular Services and Resources

  • my.unomaha.edu
  • Academic Calendar
  • Campus Buildings & Maps
  • Library
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Course Catalogs
  • Internships & Career Development
  • The Maverick Store
  • MavCARD Services
  • Military-Connected Resource Center
  • Speech Center
  • Writing Center
  • Human Resources
  • Center for Faculty Excellence

Affiliates

  • University of Nebraska System
  • NU Foundation
  • Buffett Early Childhood Institute
  • Daugherty Water for Food Institute
  • National Strategic Research Institute
  • Peter Kiewit Institute
  • Rural Prosperity Nebraska
  1. University Policies
  2. Privacy Statement
  3. Accessibility
  1. 402.554.2800

University of Nebraska Omaha
University of Nebraska Omaha, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, 68182
  • ©  
  • Emergency Information Alert
  • MavsReport

Social Media


Omaha Skyline

Our Campus. Otherwise Known as Omaha.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its education programs or activities, including admissions and employment. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity. Read the full statement.