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

Mary Lindell

Program Director | mlindell@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015

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.

Faculty

Cara Cardoso

Adjunct | cara-cardoso@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021

Cardoso is grateful to God brought her to Bethel University to interact with aspiring teachers and use her as a tool to further His work! Her husband and she live in White Bear Township where they enjoy getting outdoors with their two children. As a School Psychologist, she enjoys problem-solving using a team approach. She is motivated to connect with families and help them navigate the Special Education process. Each child is a new opportunity to extend the grace and love that she has been. . . read more.

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. He also enjoys advising students as they develop their thesis projects.

Becky Gerdes

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

Becky Gerdes' experiences include serving as an administrator and educator at the elementary, middle school, and high school settings. Through these roles, she has developed and strengthened skills in supervision of staff, leadership in planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating instructional programs, and implementing policies. Furthermore, in previous administrative roles, she has had experience serving in schools that have been designated as needing to make an improvement by the . . . read more.

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 12 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.

Erica Lehner

Adjunct | el-lehner@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2018

Erica Lehner graduated from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse in 1996 with a BS in English Education and a minor in ESL. After a year of teaching middle and high school, she began working with CRU (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) at the University of Wisconsin Madison, Minnesota State University Moorhead, and UW River Falls. Teaching has also lead her overseas where she spent 6 years working at a university in China. In 2011 Erica received her MA-ESL from Hamline University While . . . read more.

Amie Lorence Grubidge

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

Adjunct Instructor of Education

Maia Miller

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

Maia has been working and teaching in the special education field for 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 7 years, Maia has worked as a Work-Based Learning Coordinator for high school studen. . . read more.

Jan Mrozinski

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

Jan has experience as a mental health therapist and a special education teacher. She began her career as an in-home therapist and taught special education students in Settings I, II, and III. She began teaching at Bethel in 2016. She enjoys teaching in the Bethel University Inclusive Learning and Development (BUILD) program and the graduate and undergraduate special education teacher preparation programs, supervising student teachers, and advising students with thesis-completion. . . . read more.

Lisa Ouren

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

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

David Thomas

Adjunct | 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.