Teachers call on state to increase requirements to teach theater

Some teachers called on the State Board of Education to increase the requirements to become a theater teacher.

Eleven educators spoke during the public comment portion of the board meeting Friday, and about 20 more sent written comments to board members.

Those wanting to become theater teachers can currently only get a supplemental endorsement. That means they have to get a degree in a different subject and take additional theater education classes. Dan Hays, director of theatre at Midland University, said changing it to a subject endorsement would allow universities to offer a theater education degree.

“So you could teach theater — you could always add English or speech or anything else — but we don't have that right now,” Hays said. “At the college level, it kind of ties our hands.”

Advocates said the degree could help with keeping students in the state and prepare them to fill open theater teacher jobs.

“There are lots of jobs where they want theater certification, and truly, if you want a theater certified teacher, you have to go out of state,” Hays said.

Art and music teachers are already required to have a subject endorsement. Theater educators said they want to see the same for their profession.

January’s meeting was the first one for board members Kristin Christensen, Maggie Douglas, Lisa Schonhoff and Liz Renner. The four are starting their first terms after being elected in November.

The board reelected Elizabeth Tegtmeier as president and Deborah Neary as vice president.

Board members held off voting on the state’s literacy plan, moving it to next month’s agenda. The plan aims to increase reading across the state using various avenues, including professional learning, family literacy centers and regional literacy coaches.

Nebraska Department of Education Commissioner Brian Maher first introduced the plan in October. Maher asked the board to table a vote until its February meeting to allow the four new board members to give input on the plan and for the department to finetune it.

The state aims to increase third-grade proficiency in English Language Arts to 75% by 2030, improve reading in kindergarten to third-grade students and implement evidence-based instruction based on the science of reading in all teacher preparation programs.

The 2025 Teacher of the Year made her debut at the meeting. She said her goals as she steps into the role is to advocate for inquiry-based learning, promote equity and access in the classroom and celebrate teachers.

“Teachers are the heart of education and our society,” Wilson said. “I want to spotlight their stories and successes.”

Wilson shared that instead of a new year’s resolution, she picks a word to live by. This year, she chose two: “disrupt” and “inspire.”

“It’s reflecting on my commitment to challenging norms and sparking meaningful growth in students and teachers alike,” she said.

Within her school, Wilson said she wants to create a Mars soil simulant project, invest in a hydroponics system for growing plants at her school, improve collaboration on science research, start a district-wide elementary science showcase and mentor other teachers.

The State Board of Education will meet next on Feb. 6-7.