Northeast Nebraska’s Wayne State College Supports Rural School Districts with Teacher Education Program

The Teacher Education Program at Wayne State College creates well-equipped educators to maintain excellence in an ever-changing academic environment. Currently, 1 in 10 Nebraska teachers has at least one degree from Wayne State College. The growing Norfolk Public Schools district continues to see improvements in academic achievement due to a strong teacher foundation and local initiatives to support rural education. 

“Wayne State College plays a critical role in developing the next generation of educators for our region,” said Candice Alder, Director of Economic Development. “By investing in students who are passionate about teaching and encouraging them to stay in Northeast Nebraska, we’re building a stronger, more sustainable education workforce pipeline—one that has the potential to benefit every school district in our area.”

Norfolk Public Schools At a Glance

Norfolk Public Schools is a Class A school system that serves 4,300+ students, ranging from birth to 21 years old. The district covers 68.8 miles and includes Madison, Pierce, Stanton and Wayne counties. District schools include Little Panther Preschool, seven elementary school buildings, one middle school (grades 5-6), one junior high school (grades 7-8), and one high school (grades 9-12). 

“Norfolk Public Schools exceeds all accreditation requirements of the Nebraska Department of Education, and Norfolk High School has been accredited through AdvancED for over 100 years. Student test scores continue to climb and outperform state averages in many assessments given throughout the district. The graduation rate has improved dramatically in the past five years, and several of our schools have received state and national awards for outstanding achievement,” said Dr. John Miller, Wayne State College Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs.

The rural school district is improving in strides. With a low student-to-teacher ratio of 1:15 compared to the national average and a robust teacher education program that places teachers in local schools, students can gain more one-on-one time with teachers and receive a more personalized and all-encompassing education. 

Teacher Education Program

The Teacher Education Program at Wayne State College creates knowledgeable, skilled, adaptable, and caring education professionals who make a noticeable difference in the lives of Nebraska students. The many avenues for education at Wayne State College allow enrollees to gain an edge over other teacher candidates by ensuring they are given quality, hands-on work experience before graduation. A thorough combination of classwork and field experiences gives teacher candidates the resources to create an engaging curriculum and effectively manage a classroom. Wayne State College teacher candidates can also earn multiple teaching endorsements in four years. Subjects like English as a Second Language, reading and writing, and special education can be combined with other endorsements to give these students an advantage over other job candidates in the field. 

Students can find resources for the Teacher Education Program at Wayne State College—School of Education, such as department goals and philosophy, as well as information on offered education degree programs and teacher certifications. 

Career Scholars Cooperative Education Program

Wayne State College maintains the lowest-cost bachelor’s degree in the region and continues to strategize ways to keep costs manageable for students. At Wayne State, all first-time freshmen who apply for scholarships receive an award. The Career Scholars Cooperative Education Program at Wayne State College, launched in 2020, is another opportunity to receive assistance. The program offers a $33,000 scholarship over four years toward the cost of attendance. According to Dr. Miller, Teacher Education is a key career pathway considered for this program. In partnership with Northeast Nebraska Growing Together and the Aksarben Foundation, the Career Scholars Program integrates classroom learning with real-world teaching experience. 

“Other program highlights are that senior-year students live in Wayne State College’s downtown Norfolk apartments, which is a fun experience and fosters community engagement. The program also aims to retain graduates in Northeast Nebraska as full-time teachers,” said Dr. Miller. Students can apply for the Career Scholars Program here. 

Students to Teachers Through Educator Pathways (STEP)

Norfolk Public Schools has been a key partner with Wayne State College in the STEP (Students to Teachers through Educator Pathways) program. STEP is an educator pathway initiative that identifies high school students at Norfolk High School who are interested in teaching and prepares them through dual-credit pre-professional courses at Wayne State College.

Eligible students can access college-level pre-professional education courses at a reduced rate, providing a headstart on their teaching careers. By completing these foundational courses, students gain greater access to diverse teaching endorsements, enhancing their marketability and equipping them with valuable knowledge and skills to better serve future students and schools.

Through STEP, Wayne State College and Norfolk Public Schools are strengthening the educator pipeline, supporting aspiring teachers, and providing school districts with well-prepared, highly qualified candidates.

Other Initiatives to Support Rural Education

In addition to making teacher education more affordable for students to support continued improvements in regional education, Nebraska Smart is a key initiative to help rural K-12 students get ahead academically. Nebraska SMART is a Nebraska State College System initiative that provides free online tutoring statewide. Wayne State College Teacher Education Program candidates partner with Nebraska SMART to serve as online tutors four evenings a week. Chadron State College and Peru State College students also participate as tutors. 

Success in Rural Education Starts With Teachers

Students hoping to find success as educators should consider Wayne State College. Nearly all Wayne State College graduates with teaching degrees or certificates rank as proficient to advanced in implementing knowledge and teaching effectiveness as first-year teachers. Teacher Education graduates from Wayne State College also received a 100% satisfaction rating from employers in 2022-2023. 

Effective teachers mold confident and successful students. Click here to learn more about educational opportunities in Northeast Nebraska.