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The University of Nebraska has released a of its 鈥淟eading Nebraska鈥� podcast series, featuring the University of Nebraska-Lincoln鈥檚 efforts to prepare the next generation of the state鈥檚 teachers.

Through the new system-wide Teachers Scholars Academy, along with other teacher education programs on campus, UNL is helping to grow a diverse teaching workforce prepared to serve Nebraska children, families and communities.

"The goal of the Teachers Scholars Academy is to grow the next generation of educators that will serve Nebraska."

The to serve as UNL鈥檚 inaugural Teachers Scholars Academy cohort began the program last fall. The academy allows them the opportunity to live and study together, conduct research and volunteer in the Lincoln community, among other activities to enrich their educational experience.

The Teachers Scholars Academy, made possible by a private gift from the William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation, aims to expose future teachers to Nebraska鈥檚 schools, communities and changing demographics through experiential learning. Teachers Scholars Academy cohorts are also underway at the and the .

Guy Trainin, chair of UNL's Department of Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education

鈥淭he goal of the Teachers Scholars Academy is to grow this next generation of educators that will serve Nebraska and can even go beyond Nebraska,鈥� Guy Trainin, chair of UNL鈥檚 Department of Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education, says in the podcast. 鈥淲e鈥檙e really focused on this group of educators that would lead the next wave of education.鈥�

With enrollment in Nebraska鈥檚 pre-K 鈥� 12 schools continuing to rise, to more than today 鈥� and with the demographics of those students changing as well 鈥� the state faces a critical need for a strong pipeline of highly skilled, highly prepared future teachers. The University of Nebraska, the state鈥檚 largest producer of teachers, is focused on addressing the need.

鈥淵ou never know what the future classroom will look like. We know what they look like now, but it鈥檚 always changing,鈥� Braden Foreman, coordinator of UNL鈥檚 Teachers Scholars Academy, says in the podcast. 鈥淎nd that鈥檚 really exciting. I think what we鈥檙e doing is helping (academy students) be critical thinkers, which is a great way to help them be able to respond to that.鈥�

The NU system鈥檚 鈥淟eading Nebraska鈥� podcast, launched last fall, shares stories of researchers, students and educators across the four campuses who are growing the state鈥檚 workforce and quality of life. New episodes of 鈥淟eading Nebraska鈥� are released monthly and feature experts from UNL, UNO, UNK and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Topics include nursing, agricultural education, counterterrorism, healthcare, workforce development, cybersecurity and others.

Listeners may follow the 鈥淟eading Nebraska鈥� podcast .