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
Molly Wickam
Program Director | m-wickam@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2005
Dr. Wickam is the program director for the Bethel Graduate School's MA Teaching and the Bethel College of Adult & Professional Studies' business programs.
Faculty
Laura BeMent-Jaroscak
| lab73285@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2013
Work Based Learning Technology Business Education
Lisa Bekemeyer
| ldb86486@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2001
I am passionate about teaching language through CI (Comprehensible Input) and TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling). I base my courses on these tenants and strive to help my learners gain a variety of strategies for teaching language through content.
Dr. John Bergeland
| jbergeland@isd12.org | Started at Bethel: 2005
Content Area Literacy, Disciplinary Literacy, Vocabulary Instruction, Teaching Reading, Middle School Education
Cheryl Bostrom
| c-bostrom@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1995
My areas of expertise include English language learning, teacher education, educational leadership, academic research and writing, and intercultural communication. I am currently serving as the Director of Higher Education Program Development and Innovation with TeachBeyond.
Meg Cavalier
| 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 River's Edge Academy, a charter high school in Saint Paul. 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 the opportunity to suppor. . . read more.
Leona Derden
| ler43264@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2014
I am married and have five wonderful children and four grandchildren. My educational background includes me completing my Doctor of Education degree this spring at Bethel University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from St. Thomas University and my Principal Licensure from St. Mary’s University. I started my career as a social worker working with abused and neglected children in Chicago, Illinois and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In 1997, I relocated to Minnesota and was looking for a career . . . read more.
Amy Fox
| beiamy@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2019
Secondary Science, Trauma Informed Instruction, Education Equity, Environmental Education
Judith Landrum
| j-landrum@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2004
Secondary Literacy: Writing instruction practices, K-12 Literature, and Reading in the Content Area
Donna LeGrand
| legdon@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1999
LeGrand developed and directs Bethel's Spain Term and oversees the Languages and Cultures education program at Bethel. Her interests include teaching all levels of Spanish, teaching about and applying theories of second language acquisition, and researching 16th and 17th century literature from Spain and Latin America. LeGrand is on the board of the Minnesota Council of Teaching Languages and Cultures and has been president of the Minnesota chapter of the Association of Teachers of Spanish. . . read more.
Jill Martin
| jmartin@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1996
Martin’s scholarly interests include content area literacy, reflective teaching, and teacher’s use of metacognation. Her teaching specialties include secondary social studies, middle level philosophy and pedagogy, and educational psychology.
Patricia Paulson
| patricia-paulson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1999
Paulson focuses her research on trustworthy practices for learning science, focusing specifically on scientific practices. She has led the GEMS program, coordinates the STEM certification program, teaches Life Science Concepts, Applied STEM Practices, and Science Curriculum and Methods at all levels. Paulson also teaches in the Ed.D. program.
Abbey Payeur
| abbeypayeur@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2010
Payeur has a decade of teaching experience in literacy that spans the kindergarten through college age groups. She currently teaches reading and writing skills to undergrads in CAS, and adult students in CAPS programs.
Eric Roesler
| err79847@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016
I am excited to be teaching adults. I have 15+ years experience teaching high school students about Business, Marketing, and Economics. I am enjoying being able to transfer that knowledge to adults as well.
Lisa Silmser
| l-silmser@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2002
Instructional Strategies, Differentiation and Interventions, Special Education, Language Arts and Literacy, Online Instructional Practices
Raymond Sperl
| raymond-sperl@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2011
Instructional Technology Integration; Science Instruction
Danny Swensen
| d-swensen@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2008
Areas of expertise include mathematics and physics education, education technology, and statistics.