Nebraska Department of Education Homepage

Welcome to Nebraska Teacher Apprenticeships!

Infographic Bubble Chart that lists the parties involved in teacher apprenticeship as

Due to the growing teacher shortage, the United States Department of Education (USDOE) called on states to create Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Programs to combat this trend. With the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) now recognizing the K-12 teacher occupation as a registered apprenticeship, Nebraska, as well as other “Grow Your Own” style programs across the country, can access USDOL and other workforce development funds, and as of March 2024, per the enactment of LB705 via the Nebraska Legislature, the Nebraska Department of Education announced the Nebraska Teacher Apprenticeship Program.

Our goal is to bolster the recruitment and training of educators across Nebraska through a minimum 2,000 hour registered apprenticeship on-the-job training model. We hope to further expand access to high quality low-cost pathways for individuals to pursue their degree and a Nebraska teaching certificate while earning an income and serving in a Nebraska school.

A map of Nebraska organized by school district that shows the 3 school districts partnered with the Nebraska Department of Education at the start of this program in 2024. The descriptive info below the map details that the program began with 3 Educator Preparation Providers, 3 districts, and 25 apprentices
A map of Nebraska organized by school district that shows the 50 school partners that are currently partnered with the teacher apprenticeship program with the Nebraska Department of Education. The descriptive info below details that the program has grown to have 8 Educator Preparation Providers, 50 school partners, and over 200 apprentices.

Interested in becoming a teacher apprentice? Contact your HR or your Talent Administrator to ask about an existing partnership with a university or college that offers a spot for an endorsement field in the apprenticeship program!

For a more general synopsis of the program, please see our One Pager:

Future Educator Spotlight

An image of an apprentice named Sarah Dohmen that we are highlighting as a stellar example of an apprentice in the Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program. This image includes a picture of her sitting with students, and a brief description of the apprentice, including: her name, the school district where she learned her On-the-Job training, the University where she completed her schoolwork to become a certified teacher, and a brief summary of her experience and temperament that led to her to be a successful graduate.

WATCH: Nebraska Teacher Apprenticeship made the news!

Nebraska Department of Education program is working to combat teacher shortage

Growing Graduates: State program helps LPS educators blossom as classroom teachers

Resources

Education Preparation Providers & School Partners

  • EPP Handbook
    • This was designed to assist EPPs with Teacher Apprenticeships
    • Some topics covered include: NDE Reporting, Apprentice Evaluation and Monitoring, Reimbursement and the Community of Practice Meetings Schedule
  • Mentor Handbook Guidelines
    • This handbook was created to assist school partners and EPPs in finding the best methods for structuring a mentor-apprentice relationship throughout the apprentice’s on-the-job training
    • Some topics covered include: Responsibilities and Expectations of Mentor Teachers, Guidelines on selecting a Mentor Teacher, and Mentor Orientation and Training
  • If you are interested in seeing the currently established partnerships and the endorsements they have offered, please view our EPP and LEA Contacts with Endorsements
A bar graph that shows each endorsement that is presently covered in the teacher apprenticeship program, as well as the number of apprentices pursuing each endorsement out of 209 total apprentices as of September 2025
A bar graph that shows the age demographics of each apprentice enrolled in the program. The numbers are organized by age categories 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, and 45+. Each category is broken down by how many apprentices in each age range were acquired per round of funding for the apprenticeship program.

Program Success: Estimated Future Teachers

  • August 2025:
    • 12 apprentices completed the program, and 11 of those 12 were hired by the district that trained them!
  • August 2026:
    • 20 more apprentices will be on schedule to graduate to become fully certified teachers!
  • August 2027:
    • We anticipate 176 new graduates that are ready for a teaching position!
A graphic that shows the number of certified teachers that are currently employed after graduating from the program, as well as projected future teachers based on the number of currently enrolled apprentices. By August 2025, there were 12 apprentices that became certified teachers. By August 2026 the Nebraska Department of Education projects 20 more graduates. By August 2027 it's anticipated that there will be 176 more graduates that are eligible to become fully certified teachers.

This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it.

Staff Listing and Contact Information

Kelly Baehr
Educator Apprenticeship Partner Specialist
531-324-0742
kelly.baehr@nebraska.gov
Updated January 28, 2026 8:16am