UNO and Omaha Public Schools Continue Collaboration to Support Future Educators Through Teacher Scholar Academy

On Wednesday, March 6, the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) and Omaha Public Schools (OPS) shared an update on their Teacher Scholar Academy collaboration. The partnership, which aims to recruit and retain aspiring teachers, was the focal point of a media availability event held at Northwest High School’s library media center.

Earlier in the week, the OPS Board of Education approved an updated agreement with UNO for the Teacher Scholar Academy scholarship.

Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, students chosen for the program will be granted a $5,000 scholarship each semester. The Teacher Scholar Academy aims to select 28 recipients annually through at least 2027-2028. This initiative supports students in their pursuit of teacher certification and fosters their professional development. Upon completing their college education at UNO, participants are expected to assume full-time educator roles within OPS.

The event began with opening remarks from Susan Christopherson, OPS Chief Academic Officer. Christopherson emphasized the significance of the Teacher Scholar Academy in attracting young talent to the teaching profession and building a sustainable educator workforce for the district.

“The Teacher Scholar Academy is one example of the innovative steps being taken to recruit young people to a career in education – building a long-term staff pipeline,” said Christopherson.

UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, expressed excitement about the ongoing collaboration. Li highlighted the comprehensive support system provided to Teacher Scholar Academy participants, including tailored coursework, professional development sessions, and specialized advising, all geared towards ensuring their success as future educators in OPS classrooms.

"These students will become future teachers exclusively in the Omaha Public Schools. They will take excellent UNO teacher preparation coursework and will be involved in various jointly developed professional development sessions,” said Li. “In collaboration with OPS, that will make them a perfect fit for the district. Many of these students will also receive special education training, allowing them to even be better able to support all students in OPS classrooms.”

Two students from the program, Cody Friend and Noah Ziegler, shared their experiences and the value of the Teacher Scholar Academy. Friend and Ziegler expressed their gratitude for the academy and spoke about the opportunities offered through the program.

Following the student testimonials, reporters asked district and university leaders about the program's selection process, curriculum, and long-term goals during a brief Q&A session.

In her closing remarks, Christopherson acknowledged the dedicated team from UNO's College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS) for their instrumental role in developing and implementing the TSA program.

“One of the best elements of this program will be the ability of these future teachers to build a long-term network of support, with colleagues both in OPS and here in our college. They will form many good friendships to share expertise, find mutual support, and collectively be energized with a shared passion for making as positive a difference as possible for their OPS students,” said Neal Grandgenett, Ph.D., Interim Dean of CEHHS. "As a graduate of the Omaha Public Schools myself (Burke High School) and having three children graduate from OPS (Benson High School), I am so very excited with this partnership in being able to add even more exceptional teachers to the amazing teachers that I saw in action myself over the years at OPS. CEHHS is so very proud to co-lead this program with OPS, and it will truly become a national model in every way."

Media Coverage

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Supporting future educators: UNO and OPS Teacher Scholar Academy offers scholarships for future educators