Faculty

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, Faculty | m-wickam@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2005

Dr. Wickam is a Professor of Education and Business/Leadership and the Program Director for Bethel's MA Teaching and B.S. Business Management. She has a corporate background in software product marketing, insurance risk management, property & casualty claims and marketing, and was a small-business owner. She is also a former high school business and social studies teacher. She teaches a business capstone that contains a client-focused service-learning project, a marketing course, and variou. . . read more.

Faculty

John Bergeland

Adjunct Professor and Thesis Advisor | jbergeland@isd12.org | Started at Bethel: 2005

Content Area Literacy, Disciplinary Literacy, Vocabulary Instruction, Teaching Reading, Middle School Education

Meg Cavalier

Adjunct Faculty | 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 St. Paul City School, a charter school district serving 550 PreK-12th grade students. 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. . . read more.

Leona Derden

Adjunct Professor | 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

Adjunct Faculty - Student Teaching Supervisor, Thesis Advisor, Science Content Expert | beiamy@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2019

Secondary Science, Trauma Informed Instruction, Education Equity, Environmental Education

William Kron

Adjunct Instructor | wjk97757@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2010

Teaching and Learning

Heidi Simons

Adjunct Professor | heidi-simons@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2020

Heidi has taught Social Studies since 1996 at Bloomington Jefferson High School, been an Instructional Mentor to 1st & 2nd year teachers and has lead professional development. In addition, she has taught at MN State University - Mankato for their Graduate Teacher Program. She is very excited to become part of the Bethel University community and work with future educators in the courses she will instruct.

Shanna Slice

Adjunct Professor | smg97337@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022

Hello. I'm excited to be an adjunct professor at Bethel University for their graduate school art education program. After doing social service work for ten years, I went through the program I now get to teach for and became a high school art teacher. I'm passionate about both art and effective teaching in the 21st century. Outside of teaching, I enjoy creating art of course and camping, traveling, and spending time outside with my family. I believe as humans we all have the need to create. . . read more.

Raymond Sperl

Adjunct Faculty | raymond-sperl@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2011

Instructional Technology Integration; Science Instruction

Adjunct Faculty

Lisa Bekemeyer

Adjunct Instructor | ldb86486@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2001

I am passionate about teaching multi-lingual learners and helping our teacher candidates prepare for this worthy profession. In my courses, I emphasize teaching language through a wide variety of strategies that fit under the umbrella of CI (Comprehensible Input); I strive to help my learners actively engage and practice these strategies for teaching language through content.

Jesse Johnson

Adjunct Faculty | jessej6@gmail.com | Started at Bethel: 2022

Bethel Graduate (1968). Math instructor for 30+ years. Applied math experience as a network engineer for 15 years. Married 55 years to Bethel graduate, 4 grown kids, and 13 grandkids.

Eric Roesler

Adjunct Professor | err79847@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016

Eric Roesler brings over 20 years of teaching experience in Business and Marketing Education, including leadership as a department lead at Bloomington Jefferson High School. He holds an M.Ed. in Business and Marketing Education from the University of Minnesota, with additional certifications in Work Based Learning and Online Teaching from Bemidji State University. Eric excels in curriculum development, innovative teaching methods, and student mentorship. His proactive approach integrates te. . . read more.

Laura Shaw

Adjunct Instructor of Education | laf72749@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2025

Laura Shaw is a dedicated educator, internationally selling artist, and mentor with over 25 years of experience in visual arts education. Passionate about integrating creativity, faith, and pedagogy, she is committed to equipping the next generation of teachers for impactful and Christ-centered careers

Lisa Silmser

Affiliate Faculty - Adjunct Assistant Professor | l-silmser@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2002

Lisa is grateful to have been called to the ministry of teaching. She keeps current on K-12 practices by remaining in the classroom and readily shares practical expertise and stories from her experiences in a variety of settings, including teaching special education students in an online school. She teaches in the MA in Teaching, MA in Special Education and M.A. in K-12 Education programs. She is program director for MA in K-12 Education. Areas of interest include Instructional Strategies, . . . read more.