Sixteen aspiring teachers have been selected for the newest cohort of the Teacher Scholars Academy in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Education and Human Sciences. Students in the academy are engaged in a supportive learning community throughout their teacher-education program.
The academy, established in 2019, is designed to prepare teachers who will continue to grow and develop beyond their degree. To date, 133 new teachers have graduated from the academy.
The fall 2026 cohort is listed below by hometown, with their intended academic major(s) and high school when it differs from the hometown.
Nebraska
Beatrice:
- Kennadee Van Winkle, elementary education (Tri County)
Bridgeport:
- Aubrey Watts, elementary education
La Vista:
- Madison Howe, elementary education (Papillion-La Vista)
Lincoln:
- Megan Barkdoll, elementary education (Lincoln East)
- Gabriel Gillan, secondary education (social studies) (Lincoln Northeast)
Omaha:
- Asher Christo, secondary education (English language arts) (Elkhorn North)
- Nevayah Zomahoun, elementary education and special education (K-6) (Omaha North)
Papillion:
- Samantha Draper, elementary education (Papillion-La Vista)
- Taylor Parrack, special education (7-12) (Papillion-La Vista South)
Pleasant Dale:
- Kayla Wilken, elementary education and early childhood education (Milford)
Syracuse:
- Jaileiana Walker, secondary education (Spanish) (Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca)
Elsewhere in the U.S.
Brookfield, Illinois:
- Emma Hlavaty, elementary education and special education (K-6) (Riverside Brookfield)
Red Oak, Iowa:
- Zoie Rohrig, secondary education (mathematics)
Milford, Massachusetts:
- Julia Luster, elementary education
Fairfax, Missouri:
- Amelia Larson, elementary education and special education (K-6) (Fairfax R-III)
Colleyville, Texas:
- Tara Jacobs, elementary education (Colleyville Heritage)
