By TYLER ELLYSON
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – Avery Longshore can’t imagine building her future anywhere other than the community she’s always called home.
The Kearney native has spent her entire life here, and now she’s preparing to take the next step toward becoming an elementary teacher in the same school district that shaped her own education.
“This is such an amazing opportunity,” said Longshore, who graduated from Kearney High School over the weekend. “I really admire the KPS district, and I also love Kearney and all the people here. It’s really exciting to know that I’ll get to be part of the KPS district as a teacher.”
Longshore and fellow 2026 KHS graduate Alex Worm were recognized Monday as the newest recipients of the Kearney Teachers Tomorrow Scholarship (KTOM), a partnership between Kearney Public Schools and the University of Nebraska at Kearney designed to create a pipeline of future educators for the district.
Launched in 2024 through the Kearney Education Collaborative, a joint leadership team of KPS and the UNK College of Education, the program supports students pursuing teaching degrees at UNK while preparing them to return to KPS classrooms after graduation.
Each KTOM scholar receives more than $14,000 in annual support from KPS and UNK, including scholarship assistance and waived on-campus housing costs. The program also provides opportunities for students to work in various roles within KPS during college, contributing to their professional development and eligibility for retirement benefits through the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Systems.
Scholarship recipients are guaranteed a teaching position at KPS after completing their degree.
Longshore plans to study elementary education at UNK. Her passion for teaching comes from her love of working with children and watching their excitement for learning.
“I’ve just always enjoyed being around kids and working with kids,” she said. “They bring me so much joy. I also like the curiosity they bring into the classroom.”
During her time at KHS, she was part of the softball team, National Honor Society, Educators Rising and Teachmates mentorship program, another UNK-KPS collaboration that pairs college seniors pursuing degrees in teacher education with high schoolers interested in the same career.
Longshore called the KTOM Scholarship “very valuable” because it eases the financial burden of college while also securing her future at KPS.
“I feel very honored to be selected,” she said.
Worm will pursue secondary math education, inspired by KHS math teacher Michael Livingston. He hopes to make a similar impact on future students.
“It means everything to me,” Worm said of the scholarship. “I can’t wait to see where it takes me and where my future lies.”
Like Longshore, he’s excited to educate students in the same community where he grew up. The Eagle Scout has been involved in Youth Leadership Kearney and the KHS swim and dive team.
The KTOM program prioritizes applicants with financial need, those pursuing high-demand endorsements such as special education, math, science and world languages, and graduating KHS seniors. Two new scholarships are awarded each year.
“Our collaboration with UNK is creating opportunities for students who are passionate about teaching,” said KPS Superintendent Jason Mundorf. “We know that many Kearney High graduates dream of graduating from KHS, going to UNK and then teaching in Kearney Public Schools. The Kearney Teachers Tomorrow program creates the pathway for that dream to become a reality. It’s a win for the students, KPS, UNK and the entire Kearney community.”
The program carries personal meaning for UNK Chancellor Neal Schnoor and his wife Teresa, both first-generation college graduates and longtime educators. Schnoor was the KHS band director for three years, and Teresa recently retired after a nearly 40-year career in K-12 education, including 17 years as an elementary principal within KPS.
“Teaching was our passion, and it’s remained our passion throughout our lives,” Schnoor said.
He believes partnerships like the one between UNK and KPS are vitally important for addressing the state’s ongoing teacher shortage.
“Programs like Kearney Teachers Tomorrow show what’s possible when school districts and universities work together with a shared purpose,” Schnoor said. “These students are preparing to make a lasting impact in classrooms across Nebraska, and we’re excited to help create opportunities that keep talented future educators learning, working and building careers right here in Kearney.”
A total of 13 students have now been awarded the KTOM Scholarship, including seven Lopers who were part of the larger inaugural class. Five of those students graduated from UNK earlier this month and accepted full-time positions with KPS.
“Together with KPS, we’re cultivating a generation of educators who know our community, care about its students and are ready to make an immediate difference from day one,” UNK College of Education Dean Mark Reid said.
