Superintendent Approved 39+ Courses

MPS staff members who are currently at the BA+36, MA+36, Specialist, or Doctorate level can receive approval for salary advancement by completing a course specifically approved by the Superintendent. These classes are part of the “approved” classes per the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Millard Public Schools and the Millard Education Association.

Please note: Any MPS staff member may enroll whether they are at BA+36, MA+36, Specialist or Doctorate level.

These courses have been pre-approved; however, you still need to complete the steps for pre-approval located on the MPS Human Resources website. Questions about this process may be directed to Mr. Mitch Mollring, Director of Personnel 402-715-8200 or msmollring @mpsomaha.org.

For questions regarding the classes, contact MPS Director of Professional Learning, Joe Vonderhaar at 402-715-8418 or jpvonderhaar@mpsomaha.org.

Superintendent Approved Courses

The following courses are offered exclusively through The Millard Graduate Program and must be taken through MPS to be eligible for +39.

TED 9110: Principles & Practices of Teaching Reading (Designed for Elementary)

TED 9100: Theories, Models, and Practices of Literacy (Designed for Elementary)

TED 8610: Writing through the Curriculum (Designed for Elementary)

TED 8430: Best Practice in Elementary Mathematics (Designed for Elementary)

TED 8410: Improvement of Mathematics Instruction (Designed for Elementary)

TED 8006: Special Methods in Mathematics (Designed for Elementary)

TED 8250: Assessment for the Classroom Teacher (PK-12)

TED 8160: EL Strategies for PK-12

SPED 8816: Behavior Intervention and Supports (PK-12)

TED 8460: Critical Perspectives and Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in PK-12 Instructional Practice (PK-12) (formerly TED 8560: Technology for Diverse Learners)

Millard Public Schools Leadership Academy

Leadership Academy is an annual graduate class offered via an application & interview process. Applications are accepted each year in January. The purpose of the MPS Leadership Academy is to develop leadership capacity in staff throughout the District. Staff includes leaders who aspire to become principals, District teacher leaders, or grow as a building teacher leader.

Participants of the MPS Leadership Academy will:

Use the MPS Leadership Framework to develop specific leadership skills that improve staff performance and increase student achievement.
Relate theory to operational Millard practices.
Reflect on personal strengths and leadership styles.
Engage in practicum and shadowing experiences throughout the District.
Build lateral capacity of leadership throughout the District.
Have the opportunity to have 50% tuition paid - 3 hours of graduate credit (UNO)

Click here to learn more about the Millard Leadership Academy.

Early Childhood LETRS Project

The following courses are eligible for +39.

EDU 698-A15 - Exclusive to Millard Public Schools

Early Childhood LETRS - Units 1 & 2 - 2 Hours
Early Childhood LETRS - Units 3 & 4 – 2 Hours

Millard Public Schools is partnering with Doane University to offer graduate credit for individuals completing Early Childhood LETRS® (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) training through MPS. Participants will engage in a one-year professional learning program focused on the Science of Reading. This professional learning will provide educators with valuable knowledge and strategies to strengthen early literacy instruction and support language development in our youngest learners.

Foundations of Literacy - Elementary & Secondary Opportunities - Coming Soon!

The following courses are eligible for +39.

Spring 2027 - Nebraska Early Literacy Workshop (TED 8780: Foundational Skills of Early Literacy) - K-3 Teachers (3 Hrs)

In partnership with UNO, Millard is excited to offer the Nebraska Early Literacy Workshop (TED 8780: Foundational Skills of Early Literacy). Open to all K–3 educators, this course provides a rich, research-informed learning experience focused on improving literacy outcomes for Nebraska’s youngest learners.

The workshop is aligned to CKLA materials, routines, and language to support district consistency and is designed to provide opportunities for collaborative conversation and practical application. Sessions will be facilitated by Millard’s own teachers and offered at various elementary schools and on different days of the week to provide participants with greater convenience and scheduling flexibility.

Educators who successfully complete the course have the choice to either receive a stipend or earn 3 hrs of graduate credit through UNO.

More information is coming soon! Be on the lookout for additional details and registration information in October of 2027!

Summer 2027 - 4th - 12th Grade TED 8790:Foundations of Adolescent Literacy - 4 - 12 Teachers (3 Hrs)

In partnership with UNO and ESU 3, Millard is excited to offer Foundations of Adolescent Literacy, a professional learning opportunity designed specifically for educators in grades 4–12. Building upon Millard’s K–3 early literacy professional learning, this course focuses on applying the science of reading in intermediate and secondary classrooms, extending research-informed literacy practices into grades 4–12 with learning tailored to the unique needs of intermediate and secondary educators.

Three sections will be offered to ensure the learning is relevant and aligned to the specific contexts of the educators involved, the three sections will be organized by grades 4–5, 6–8, and 9–12. Courses will be facilitated by MPS educators, allowing the learning to connect directly to Millard curriculum, instructional practices, and classroom contexts. The course will be offered through a blended model of self-paced asynchronous work and in-person sessions. In-person sessions will also be hosted within MPS at convenient times and locations.

Because this learning is facilitated by Millard educators and completed alongside cohorts of Millard colleagues, our goal is to create a highly relevant learning experience that connects directly to our district context. Course content and learning will be designed to translate directly into classroom practice, helping educators apply what they learn to strengthen literacy instruction for intermediate and secondary students.

Educators who successfully complete the course will receive a stipend. Those who wish to take this course for graduate credit through UNO will also have that opportunity.

More information is coming soon! Be on the lookout for additional details, including course dates, locations, stipend information, graduate credit options, and registration in February 2027.

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