Bethel Advance helps future educators prepare for their futures
Education students across all Bethel’s education programs—from bachelors programs to Ed.D.—recently got the chance to connect with education professionals from 20 partner schools at Bethel Advance. The event provided students the chance to connect with potential employers, network, and build skills.
By Aiden Penner ’27, student writer
April 04, 2024 | 10 a.m.
Applied performance and music education major Micah Lopez ’24 chats with a local educator at Bethel Advance, an event hosted by Bethel’s education programs to help students, alumni, and prospective students connect to develop their skills and pursue networking opportunities.
Bethel's education programs recently came together for Bethel Advance, an event aimed at offering current students, prospective students, and alumni a chance to connect with area education leaders and look to their futures. It’s just one way Bethel is helping future educators pursue their careers. “Bethel does a great job of helping students discover their passions and their strong skills,” says Elementary Education K-6 major Julia Kastner ’26.
Though Bethel's undergraduate Department of Education hosted Bethel Advance in the past, this year's event was broadened to include prospective students and students from Bethel's graduate and online education programs. Many of the goals remain the same. To Adjunct Professor of Education Becky Carlson ’93, GS’23, Ed.D., one main goal is networking. “In every job, it's as much who you know as what you know,” says Carlson, an adjunct professor of education at Bethel. “This is a way for them to get their name out with different administrators through different districts.”
Centennial School District 12 Director of Student Services Kathy Zwonitzer GS’24 chats during Bethel Advance.
Bethel Advance provided a great opportunity for Bethel students, alumni, and future students to connect with education leaders from around the region while also gaining skills.
With Bethel Advance, Bethel provided current, former, and potential students with opportunities to connect with potential employers and develop their professional skills. And organizers adjusted offerings for the inclusion of prospective students, alumni, and graduate students. Associate Professor of Education Peg McCormick, Ph.D., led a presentation on optimal student mental health for current students and alumni. Following the presentation, students and school district representatives got the opportunity to mingle, giving future educators the chance to gain a head start on the job-searching process. Additionally, the event offered career coaching and mock interviews.
Elementary Education K-6 Major Josie Harris ’24 says the event helped her see the value of research ahead of similar events and job interviews to help her stand out when talking to potential employers. “As a student teacher these events are important because we get to experience professional development and networking,” says Harris, who hopes to teach at Eagle Ridge, a charter school in Minnetonka. “Researching schools ahead of time is important so you can make sure your resume and cover letter aligns with your values as well as the school’s. It also allows you to ask deeper and more specific questions about their school.”
Students pose for a photo Bethel Advance. While the undergraduate Department of Education has hosted the event in past years, this year’s event expanded to include alumni, prospective students, and students in Bethel’s graduate programs.
Our district partners really like Bethel students. I have many that say there's something different about Bethel students. They're more focused and they just really love what Bethel does with their students.
— Adjunct Professor of Education Becky Carlson ’93, GS’23, Ed.D.Organizers added new pieces for the inclusion of prospective students, alumni, and graduate students. For example, Kastner and fellow Elementary Education K-6 major Chloe Johnson ‘24 hosted an escape room that gave prospective students the chance to connect with current students. Additionally, prospective students engaged in their own networking and social time to get an idea of career opportunities in education.
Carlson emphasizes the success that Bethel students have had in the education industry, and it’s through events like these that this success has been generated. “Our district partners really like Bethel students,” Carlson says. “I have many that say there's something different about Bethel students. They're more focused and they just really love what Bethel does with their students.”
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