Katie Bonawitz

Job Titles

Program Director
Bethel University
Special Education (M.A.), Graduate School

Highlight

Dr. Bonawitz is a 2020 Fulbright Teaching Grant recipient to Tomsk, Russia. She researched disabilities amidst world religions for her doctoral work. Other research areas of interest include serving individuals with disabilities across the world, principles of Finnish Education, collaboration with general and special education, and transformational teacher preparation. Her special education teaching specialties include history, legal issues, mild-moderate disabilities, and cultural and linguistic impact in special education.

Started at Bethel

2007

Education

St. Cloud State University - B.S., 1996
Bethel University - M.Ed. in Special Education, 2005
Bethel University - Ed.D. in Special Education Administration, 2013

Presentations

Bonawitz, K. (2017). Suomalainen SISU in the Finnish Schools: Exploring Finnish Education from the Arctic Circle to Helsinki. Educator Series, Bethel University. St. Paul, MN.

Bonawitz, K. (2017). Suomalainen SISU in the Finnish Schools: Exploring Finnish Education from the Arctic Circle to Helsinki. DELTA, Bethel University. St. Paul, MN.

Bonawitz, K. (2017). Suomalainen SISU in the Finnish Schools: Exploring Finnish Education from the Arctic Circle to Helsinki. Mounds Park Academy. St. Paul, MN.

Bonawitz, K. (2016). How to effectively engage and educate students with Down Syndrome. Minnesota Down Syndrome Association. Bloomington, MN.

Bonawitz, K., Paulson, P., Rasmussen, J., Swensen, D., VonGrey, G. (2016). Professionalism in Action:

Professional Development Day for Teacher Candidates. AACTE National Convention. Las Vegas, NV.

Bonawitz, K., Paulson, P., Rasmussen, J., Swensen, D., VonGrey, G. (2016). Professionalism in Action:

Professional Development Day for Teacher Candidates. Primetime Library Presentation. Bethel University. St. Paul, MN.

Bonawitz, K. (2015). Autism: learning, observing & responding. Cokato-Dassel Rotary Club. Cokato, MN.

Bonawitz, K. (2015). Autism: learning, observing & responding. Village Ranch. Cokato, MN.

Bonawitz, K., & Beazer, N. (2015). Universal design for learning. A workshop/seminar for Bethel faculty. Bethel University.

Bonawitz, K. (2015). My child is a gift from Allah: Muslim parents' perspectives on raising a child with special needs. Charting the C's State-wide Conference. Alexandria, MN.

Bonawitz, K. & Seaberg, R. (2015). Suomalainen SISU in the Finnish Schools: Exploring Finnish Education from the Arctic Circle to Helsinki. Not Yet Ready for Primetime. Bethel University.

Bonawitz, K. (2013). Suomalainen SISU in the Finnish Schools: Exploring Finnish Education from the Arctic Circle to Helsinki. Cokato-Dassel Rotary Club. Cokato, MN.

Bonawitz, K., Kahlifa, B., & Attiyah, A. (2012) Muslim Parental Beliefs and Attitudes of Raising a Child with a Disability. National CEC Convention - Denver, CO.

Bonawitz, K., Keller, C., Kahlifa, B., & Attiyah, A. (2011) Hosted and Presented: An Inter-Faith Dialogue: How World Religions of Islam and Christianity Impact Special Education. Bethel University.

Bonawitz, K., Keller, C., Kahlifa, B., & Attiyah, A. (2011). How World Religions of Islam and Christianity Impact

Special Education. Poster Session Collaboration. National Council for Exceptional Children Conference (in absentia). Washington D.C.

Bonawitz, K. (2011) Differentiating Instruction: Making a Difference in the Lives of All Children in Your Classroom. Hong Kong Baptist University Lab School, Hong Kong [by special invitation]

Bonawitz, K., & McGillivray, K. (2011). Meeting and Understanding the Needs of University Students with

Asperger's Syndrome. A workshop/seminar for Bethel faculty. Bethel University.

Putz, M., Bonawitz, K., & Silmser, L. (2010). The Best of Both Worlds - Facilitating consistent structures in online degree program design through faculty collaboration. CCCU Conference. Bethel University.

Bonawitz, K. (2010). The Best of Both Worlds - Facilitating consistent structures in online degree program design through faculty collaboration. Northwestern College faculty retreat.

Putz, M., Bonawitz, K., & Silmser, L. (2010). The Best of Both Worlds - Facilitating consistent structures in online degree program design through faculty collaboration. Faculty staff development. Bethel University, Graduate School.

Bonawitz, K. (2010). Effective Collaboration Can Begin with You. MN State Council for Exceptional Children Conference. Brainerd, MN

Bonawitz, K. (2009). Meeting the Needs of All Learners in Your Classroom. ACSI - Association of Christian Schools International. Brooklyn Center, MN.

Hasslen, R., Bonawitz, K., & Houston, B. (2009). What is Reasonable and Required? Field Experience Accommodations for Teacher Candidates with Disabilities. A round-table discussion. Association of Teacher Educators (ATE) Dallas, TX.

Brooks, S., Hasslen, R., Paulson, P., Raisanen, K., Rasmussen, J., & VanDriel, L. (2009). Professional Learning Communities. The Collaboration for the Advancement of College Teaching & Learning, Bloomington, MN.

Brooks, S., Hasslen, R., Paulson, P., Raisanen, K., Rasmussen, J., & VanDriel, L. (2008). Professional Learning Communities. Minnesota Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (MACTE), Brooklyn Center, MN

Hobbies and Interests

Traveling, cooking, watching movies, singing and playing piano

Areas of expertise

Dr. Bonawitz researched disabilities amidst world religions for her doctoral work. Other research areas include Finnish SpEd, collaboration with general and special education, and transformational teacher preparation. Her special education teaching specialties include history, legal issues, mild-moderate disabilities, consultation, collaboration.

Quote

"The differences that you make - that are the ones of lasting importance - they're the little differences you make in the life of another person". Richard Pimental, 1992