A vision for inclusion: Lithuanian visit to Bethel reflects growing intercontinental collaboration

When a group of education leaders from Lithuania visited Bethel University this fall, they were struck by the impact of Bethel’s BUILD program. Seeing BUILD—a two-year Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) program for students with intellectual disabilities—offered a new vision for what could be possible as their country moves toward more inclusive opportunities. “We don’t have anything like that,” says Inga Nekrosiene, deputy director of the Lithuanian Center for Inclusion in Education. “The inspiration was that we can start thinking about it and talking about it more widely within our country or with our international partners.”

The delegation of eight Lithuanian education leaders traveled to Minnesota to visit Bethel University and partner K12 schools to deepen their understanding of inclusive education in the U.S. “The main goal was just to see and learn methods and practices that are different from ours,” Nekrosiene says. Their visit marked the latest step in a years-long partnership with Bethel Associate Dean of Education Katie Bonawitz, Ed.D., through the Fulbright Program.

The collaboration stems from Bonawitz’s six-week Fulbright project in 2024 with the Lithuanian Center for Inclusion in Education. During her time in Lithuania, she observed the country’s evolving approach to inclusive education, made recommendations to ministry leaders, national, and regional leaders, and introduced U.S.-based practices. Her work came at a pivotal moment for the country. In September 2024, Lithuania implemented a national law that requires all regular schools to educate and support students with disabilities. For a system built on separate, highly resourced—but segregated—special schools, the change represented a major shift. “They’re going from these plush, wonderful, wonderful schools that were segregated to integrated settings that are not yet to that level because everything is brand new,” Bonawitz says.

Their selection was a significant achievement, and Bonawitz played a rare, hands-on role in organizing their trip to Minnesota. Fulbright Specialists are typically not involved in logistics, but in this case, a Lithuanian U.S. embassy leader told the U.S. Department of Education’s planning team to “let Katie plan everything.” Bonawitz describes the experience as “full of God moments,” reflecting both the trust placed in her and the personal calling she feels in this work.

The Lithuanian delegates then took part in a series of site visits that showcased the full spectrum of inclusive education in the U.S.—from early childhood to young adulthood and across a range of school types and student needs. The delegates came to see the real-life application of practices they may one day use in Lithuania. 

One of the most impactful moments came during the delegation’s tour of Bethel’s BUILD program—the first program of its kind in Minnesota for students with intellectual disabilities. The two-year residential experience gave delegates a powerful glimpse into what post-secondary inclusion could look like in Lithuania. Currently, Lithuania offers no educational options for students with disabilities beyond age 16 apart from vocational training. BUILD offered a new vision—one that helped the group begin imagining what could be possible in their own context. The visit sparked early conversations with Vytautas Magnus University, one of Lithuania’s most prestigious colleges, about the potential to develop a similar model in the future, though much would need to change to make that possible. “The fact that they want to even have a beginning conversation is awesome,” Bonawitz says.

They also visited area schools that partner with Bethel’s education programs. At White Bear Lake Area Schools, the district’s Director of Student Support Services Lisa Ouren ‘97, GS’01—a Bethel alum and adjunct professor—hosted the delegates. They observed a continuum of services, including early intervention programs, inclusive classrooms, resource rooms, and transition programming for students up to age 21. 

A visit to Hmong College Prep Academy highlighted how culturally responsive practices are integrated within inclusive settings. They also toured a separate school for students with significant disabilities, which showed how specialized environments are used only in the most complex cases—even in a system that prioritizes inclusion.

Much of their attention centered on co-teaching, along with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) strategies. In classrooms across Minnesota, they watched general and special education teachers co-lead instruction, supported by paraprofessionals when needed. Seeing those partnerships in action gave them a clearer picture of how integrated support can work. Delegates describe co-teaching as a likely next step for Lithuania, and Nekrosiene notes that Lithuania has begun early efforts to pilot the model. “Here, I saw why it should continue,” she says. “Because this part is indeed very inspiring here.”

Another area of focus was Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), a framework Lithuania is just beginning to implement. Delegates visited schools where PBIS is well established and met with behavior specialists to learn how proactive schoolwide systems shape positive culture. The visits offered tangible insights into how these practices could scale at home.

More than any one program, the tone and culture inside the schools stood out. Classrooms felt open, welcoming, and personal—especially in primary and early childhood spaces. “Your schools feel like home,” says delegate Lina Palacionienė.

The delegates left Minnesota with a clear desire to continue their partnership with Bethel. “It’s clear that it can continue,” Nekrosiene says of the collaboration. They also noted the potential for connection between Bethel and private universities in Lithuania, such as LCC International University and the International School of Management. By working together across borders and disciplines, they see a path toward scalable change in their country’s inclusive education systems. “This collaboration could be successful,” Nekrosiene says.

For Bonawitz, the opportunity to share her own and Bethel’s expertise on inclusive education with international partners is both a professional opportunity and a personal calling. She says it’s not difficult to share resources with others, “but the impact is significant.” And she sees Bethel’s role in this work as both intentional and missional. “As a Christian institution, I believe it’s our duty to help in places like this when we’re given the opportunity,” Bonawitz says. “Because God has given us much, and for us to be able to share that with others is a privilege and honor, and I feel like it’s what we are asked to do.”

She also believes the work aligns with Bethel’s broader calling to influence both local and global communities. Bethel prepares educators to serve not only in Minnesota, but across the U.S. and around the world. Many alumni describe the classroom as the greatest mission field—and Bonawitz agrees it’s critically important to equip leaders for service in Minnesota and the region. “However, we have a big world, and if we can also expand and share with others everything we have, I want us to do that,” she says.

As she reflects on the growing partnership between herself, Bethel, Fulbright, and educators in Lithuania, Bonawitz admits it nearly didn’t happen. She initially pursued a Fulbright project in Finland—a country known for its strong education system and personal significance. “I really only wanted to go to Finland, and that’s where my ancestors are from,” she says. “But then realizing, my goodness, God orchestrated all of this because Finland didn’t need me.”

Through Fulbright, Bonawitz has found opportunities to serve students and educators around the world. And Bethel has walked with her. “Bethel has supported me to do these Fulbright scholarship and specialist opportunities,” she says. “It shows that Bethel, as a small liberal arts Christian university, is making an impact across the world and in education.”

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