Faculty

Our professors are distinguished scholars, active researchers, published writers, and faithful Christians who demonstrate what it means to be both Christ-followers and leaders in their academic fields. As mentors and role models, they play a huge role in the integration of faith and learning at Bethel.

Program Directors & Lead Faculty

Katie Bonawitz

| katie-bonawitz@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2007

Dr. Bonawitz is a 2023 Fulbright Scholarship Grant recipient to Klaipeda, Lithuania at LCC University. She completed a Fulbright Specialist Project in Vilnius, Lithuania in May and September 2024 to collaborate with the Lithuanian Center for Inclusion in Education as the country moved to an inclusion model on September 1, 2024. Dr. Bonawitz also has a heart for Ukraine and spent her 2021 sabbatical leading teachers across Ukraine in evidence-based strategies for students with disabilities.. . . read more.

Faculty

Meg Cavalier

Adjunct Faculty | cavmeg@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017

I received a B.A. in Elementary and Science Middle School Education, M.A. in K-12 Education and Ed.D. in Education Administration from Bethel University. I currently serve as the Executive Director at St. Paul City School, a charter school district serving 550 PreK-12th grade students. My work in education has varied from teaching at the Minnesota Zoo to, an elementary Special Education teacher, 7-12 science teacher and secondary principal and a private school in Bloomington, MN. I have had. . . read more.

William Derden

Adjunct Professor | wid88763@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2019

Adjunct Professor Specializing in Special Education Due Process and Law Graduate of Bethel Educational Doctorate Program.

Erica Hering

Adjunct Faculty | e-hering@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2005

Erica is a former elementary school teacher who has served in higher education for 19 years. Erica has worked with the Doctoral and Licensing Program in Educational Leadership since 2006. She also received her doctoral degree through Bethel's program.

Mary Lindell

Associate Professor | mlindell@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015

Dr. Lindell is interested in practices and interventions that support student success in inclusive environments. She enjoys facilitating general and special education teacher development and partnering with schools to better prepare teachers and serve (P-12) students well. Her research agenda centers on the impacts of inclusive post-secondary programs and Bethel's BUILD program.

Amie Lorence Grubidge

Adjunct Instructor of Education | amie-lorence@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016

Adjunct Instructor of Education

Peg McCormick

Associate Professor of Education | p-mccormick@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2009

Peg McCormick's interests and areas of specialization include Behavioral Theory, interventions for the EBD classroom, resilient health and occupational longevity for teachers, and best practices for the support of international student teachers.

Maia Miller

Adjunct Faculty | maia-miller@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2014

Maia has been working and teaching in the special education field for over 20 years. During this time she has worked with students in all disability areas. Maia started, like many, as a para in a special education classroom. For 10 years Maia worked with middle school students teaching reading, writing, and social skills classes. She also taught in a center-based DCD program for multiple years. For the past 9 years, Maia has worked as a Work-Based Learning Coordinator for high school s. . . read more.

Jan Mrozinski

Adjunct Faculty | j-mrozinski@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016

Professor Mrozinski's education and experiences are in the fields of both mental health and special education. Given this background, she is interested in preparing teachers to serve students and families in professional, focused, and compassionate ways.

Adjunct Faculty

Lisa Bekemeyer

Adjunct Instructor | ldb86486@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2001

I am passionate about teaching multi-lingual learners and helping our teacher candidates prepare for this worthy profession. In my courses, I emphasize teaching language through a wide variety of strategies that fit under the umbrella of CI (Comprehensible Input); I strive to help my learners actively engage and practice these strategies for teaching language through content.

Rachel Jorgensen

Adjunct Instructor | rra35368@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017

Rachel Jorgensen is a leader in work-based learning with experience in both general education and special education work-based learning programs. She also has expertise in the area of special education and parental support for students with disabilities. She is the author of two books published by Routledge. The first, Loving Your Job in Special Education: 50 Tips and Tools, is a resource on burnout prevention to help educators find lasting peace and joy in their work as special educators. . . . read more.

Susan Larson

Adjunct Faculty | susan.larson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2013

Susan Larson is a licensed Speech Language Pathologist with a history of working in public, private, and charter schools. She currently works in an urban school district as an SLP and clinical supervisor. Her strong interest and experience working with autistic individuals from age three to 21 led her to Bethel University where she began to teach in the special education program in 2013. Susan teaches courses in autism and is also a thesis advisor, a role she thoroughly enjoys. Her professi. . . read more.

Molly McKinnon

Adjunct Instructor of Education | moe44467@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022

Molly graduated in 2002 with a bachelors in Elementary Education and Deaf and Hard of Hearing license. She started her teaching career in 2002 as a K-12 Special Education Itinerant Deaf and Hard of Hearing teacher. Molly then moved into the classroom working with students who have moderate to severe cognitive disabilities. She received her masters in special education in 2004 with added licenses in Developmental Cognitive Delay (DCD), and Physical and Healthy Disabilities (PHD). Molly then . . . read more.

Susan Schwope

Affiliate Faculty - Adjunct Teaching Partner Instructor of Education | s-tag@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2001

Psychology Mental Health Special Education

Lisa Silmser

Affiliate Faculty - Adjunct Assistant Professor | l-silmser@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2002

Lisa is grateful to have been called to the ministry of teaching. She keeps current on K-12 practices by remaining in the classroom and readily shares practical expertise and stories from her experiences in a variety of settings, including teaching special education students in an online school. She teaches in the MA in Teaching, MA in Special Education and M.A. in K-12 Education programs. She is program director for MA in K-12 Education. Areas of interest include Instructional Strategies, . . . read more.

Charles Strand

Adjunct Instructor of Education | c-strand@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2000

I enjoy my work at Bethel University in the area of Special Education! As a retired special educator, my greatest passion now is to help Graduate Students be more successful as special education teachers!

David Thomas

Adjunct Instructor of Education | david-thomas@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2019

I am a proud graduate of Bethel (class of 2005). I am married to my incredible wife, Lindsey (class of '06), and we live in Lino Lakes with our 4 kids. Although I started out as a high school social studies teacher, I have spent most of my career as a special education teacher working with students with emotional and behavioral disorders. I find great joy in sharing Jesus's love with my students and coworkers. Every day God shows me grace and mercy, and I try like crazy to do the same thin. . . read more.

Jodi Wolkerstorfer

Adjunct Instructor of Education | woljod@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015

Jodi is passionate about supporting current and soon-to-be educators on ways to collaborate and find success for all students including those with special education needs.