Amid shortage, rural Nebraska school district aims to build teacher pipeline

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — While school districts across the nation deal with a national teacher shortage, Wood River Rural Schools is launching a program to combat it.

The school district said in a press release that its Grow Our Own program will encourage its students to pursue a career in education, then return to Wood River to teach.

“When we grow our own, teachers are more apt to stay because they have family and are from the area,” Superintendent Terry Zessin said in the press release.

Students involved in the program will participate in small-group discussions and have the opportunity to enroll in courses at University of Nebraska-Kearney and Central Community College.

Participants will also be eligible for up to $4,000 in scholarships.