Rachel Jorgensen

Job Titles

Highlight

Educator with a specialized focus in the areas of work-based learning, internship development and special education.

Started at Bethel

2017

Education

  • Augsburg College - B.A. in Education, 2004
  • Augsburg College - M.A. in Special Education, E/BD and SLD, 2006

Biography

Rachel is a current coordinator of work-based learning for students with special needs at the high school level.  She has been in the field of special education for approximately 20 years, and has also served as an instructional coach for special education teachers during this time.  As a special education teacher, Rachel instructed students across multiple disability areas in subjects such as reading, writing, social skills, and study skills.  As instructional coach, Rachel served as a coach for a caseload of 90 special education teachers facilitating reflection and professional growth.  At the heart of Rachel's philosophy is the belief that student empowerment is the goal of education.  Her hope is to instruct Bethel education students in strategies to bolster independence, self-determination and lifelong success in their future students.  She also hopes to support the cultivation of a strong work ethic and a positive career experience for students in the individualized internship program.  Rachel is tremendously grateful to be a part of such a loving, nurturing and service-centered community at Bethel University!

Click HERE to learn more about the Teacher Licensure of Work-Based Learning Program!

Courses Taught

EDUC 705, History and Advancement of Work-Based Learning

EDUC 707, Designing School-Based Instruction for Work-Based Learning

SPED 618, Foundations of Instructional Strategies 

SPED 675, Consultation, Collaboration and Resources

Associate of Sciences Individualized Internship Courses

Publications

Book:

Loving Your Job in Special Education: 50 Tips and Tools, Routledge, 2022

Guest Contributor:

Edutopia.org

Intellispark.com

Presentations

Loving Your Students and Loving Your Self to Beat Burnout in Special Education, Plenary Speaker Presentation, Bethel University, June 15, 2022

Certificates and Licenses

General Education, K-8, Communication Arts Focus, 2001

Special Education, E/BD, SLD, 2003

Teacher Coordinator of Work-Based Learning, 2016

Certified in Cognitive Coaching

Google Educator Certification

Crisis Prevention and Intervention Certification

Professional Organizations, Committees, and Boards

Work-Based Learning Advisory Board, Anoka-Hennepin Public Schools

National Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training Collaborator

MN Association for Career and Technical Education Cohort Participant

Hobbies and Interests

In her free time, Rachel loves cheering her children on at their sports (football, basketball, soccer, and cross country running).

Rachel loves to read books about education to keep growing and discover new 'light bulb' moments.

She's also an avid writer and enjoy researching/writing on educational topics related to work-based learning and special education.

Areas of expertise

Work-Based Learning Experiential Learning Burnout Prevention in Special Education

Research interests

Differentiated Instruction in K-12 and Higher Education Settings Evidence-Based Practice in Special Education Universal Design for Learning

Teaching specialty

Work-based Learning Experiential Learning Special Education

Quote

"Be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle." -Plato

Website

https://www.linkedin.com/in/racheljteaches/