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

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

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

Faculty

Nathan Elliott

Teaching Partner | nathan-elliott@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2013

Nathan Elliott has served as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and educational consultant. He began teaching at Bethel University in 2013, and has since developed several new courses, including the ENVoY Classroom Management Strategies certificate program.

Becky Gerdes

Faculty Member | beg92364@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: Spring 2017

Greetings, I am Becky Gerdes. My educational experience includes serving as an elementary classroom teacher, special education instructional coach and elementary principal. I have been in the educational field for 20 years. I have been taking courses in the Doctoral Program in Leadership: K-12 Administration/Higher Education Administration at Bethel University and hope to be completed with my doctoral degree by Spring 2019. My husband, Scott, graduated from Bethel University in 1992 and . . . read more.

Jan Mrozinski

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 being a part of preparing teachers to serve students and families in ways that are professional, focused, and compassionate.

Lisa Ouren

Adjunct Professor | Lmo72847@Bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016

Lisa Ouren is an adjunct professor in the CAPS/GS Special Education Program.

Rebecca Sutton

Adjunct Professor | rls93494@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017

Rebecca Sutton received her B.A. in education from Bethel University and M.A. in English as a Second Language from Hamline University. She has worked in education for over 30 years and in the area of English Language Learning for over 25 years. During those years she has acquired a broad spectrum of experiences from teaching English learners at both the elementary and secondary level, to administering an EL program on the district level k-12, to teaching in a teacher preparation program in. . . read more.