Why Nebraska Needs Full-Time Teaching Endorsements for Theatre Educators
(Photo by Jolie Peal/Nebraska Public Media News)
by Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder
I was recently made aware of a debate in Nebraska where educators are asking state school officials to recognize theatre and speech as full-time teaching endorsements.
Under Rule 24, Nebraska’s Board of Education only offers theatre and speech as supplemental endorsements, requiring educators to pair them with another subject. That means they have to get a degree in a different subject and take additional theater education classes. Educators have said that changing it to a subject endorsement would allow universities to offer a theater education degree.
At least weeks State Board of Education meeting, over a dozen educators from around the state spoke and wrote letters to be read at the meeting.
For Lori Long of Gothenburg, it’s a balancing act between being a school librarian and directing the play production team. For retired educator John Heineman, it meant juggling roles as a speech, theatre, and physical education teacher at Lincoln High School.
The underlying issue, according to advocates, is clear. “Any Nebraska kid who dreams of becoming a teacher of theatre or speech essentially must leave this state to do so,” said Al Koontz, a theatre education advocate.
The path to change involves two potential avenues: a special authorization to offer an endorsement program outside of Rule 24 or a revision of the rule itself. According to Nebraska Department of Education Administrator David Jespersen, revising Rule 24 would require stakeholder input, multiple drafts for feedback, and final approval by the State Board of Education. The revisions would also need to pass review by the State Attorney General and the Governor’s Office.
It’s unclear whether or not the State Board will take action on this, but Nebraska should grant theatre teachers full-time teaching endorsements to recognize the critical role theatre education plays in fostering creativity, collaboration, and communication skills in students.
Theatre is more than an extracurricular activity—it is an academic discipline that nurtures critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and cultural awareness. A full-time teaching endorsement acknowledges this value and ensures that students receive high-quality instruction from professionals who are experts in their field.
By offering full-time endorsements, Nebraska would elevate the legitimacy of theatre education, aligning it with core academic subjects like math and science. This move would also attract talented educators to the state, ensuring that Nebraska students benefit from a robust and dynamic arts curriculum.
A dedicated endorsement would allow theatre teachers to focus on curriculum development and program growth, rather than splitting their time between multiple certifications or roles.
By investing in theatre education, Nebraska would demonstrate its commitment to a well-rounded, innovative education system that values the arts as essential to student achievement.
I hope the State Board of Education considers this.