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.
Department Chair
Seann Dikkers
Department Chair and Associate Professor of Education | seann-dikkers@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015
Seann Dikkers formerly served 14 years as a middle school history teacher, high school principal, and education consultant. Dikkers' work focuses on the integration of new media technologies for formal and informal educational settings. His books, "Real-Time Research," "Mobile Media Learning," and "TeacherCraft: How Teachers use Minecraft in the Classroom" (ETC Press) are helping educational innovators to integrate technology into classroom learning. Past project work includes CivWorld, the. . . read more.
Faculty
Scott Brown
Professor of Mathematics Education | sbrown@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1996
Brown has years of practical classroom experience as a mathematics teacher in the public schools of Cody, Wyoming. He teaches a wide range of courses in both mathematics and education and oversees Bethel's 5-8 and 5-12 math education programs, ensuring compliance with Minnesota teacher licensure requirements.
Becky Carlson
Adjunct Instructor and Elementary Teaching Intern Placement Coordinator | becky-carlson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2003
Becky Carlson formerly served ten years as a fourth and fifth grade elementary teacher, thirteen years at Bethel University serving as a supervisor for student teachers and practicum experiences. Carlson's work focuses on placing student teachers and practicum students in elementary schools and working with local Twin Cities school districts. Her current partnerships focuses on research on induction support for new teachers.
Katharine Churchill
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Art Education | k-churchill@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1990
Churchill is currently writing and illustrating a book on painting activities for intermediate and middle school students. Her interests include acrylic painting and art education.
Steven Henkel
Professor of Physical Education | s-henkel@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1986
Henkel speaks and writes about creative movement, motor skill development, self-esteem, and developmentally appropriate games for children and youth.
Sandi Horn
Associate Professor of Education | sandi-horn@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1997
Horn’s research interests include charter school development, experiential learning for teacher education candidates, and integration of social studies concepts into elementary curriculum. Her teaching specialties include introduction to education and elementary social studies methods.
Bonnie Houck
Associate Professor of Education (Literacy) | bhouck@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016
Bonnie Houck served with students for over twenty years an educator. She has taught pre-kindergarten through postgraduate education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, serving as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, literacy coach, and district literacy coordinator. Bonnie also served as the Minnesota Department of Education’s reading specialist for over five years. Since 2003, Bonnie’s passion for literacy education led to experiences as the State Reading Specialist for . . . read more.
Lisa Kepple
Instructor in Health Education | patlis@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015
Andre Koen
Adjunct Instructor in Education | ank73572@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2013
My focus is in multicultural education in K-12 educational setting and in workplace demographics as they apply to EEO challenges and ADA compliance.
Donna LeGrand
Associate Professor of Spanish Education | legdon@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2001
LeGrand developed and directs Bethel's Spain Term and oversees the World 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 S. . . read more.
Mary Lindell
Adjunct Associate Professor of Education | mlindell@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015
I am interested in practices and interventions that support student success in inclusive environments. I enjoy facilitating general and special education teacher development and partnering with schools to better prepare teachers and serve (P-12) students well.
Jill Martin
Associate Professor of Education | 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
Professor of Science Education | 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.
Jolene Pearson
Associate Professor and Director of Early Childhood Services | jolene-pearson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2012
Pearson has focused her research and professional work in pre-service teacher education, professional development for early childhood educators, online education, and infant mental health. Her teaching specialties include premature infants, infant mental health, early childhood special education, and development of early childhood teachers.
Jay Rasmussen
Professor of Education | rasjay@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1997
I have now served for 27 years as a teacher educator and I am currently a Professor of Education at Bethel University. My teaching responsibilities include undergraduate and graduate level courses in literacy education and assessment. My administrative responsibilities include serving as a Faculty Development Coordinator at Bethel and as the Program Director for the M.A. Program in Education: K-12. From 1997-2006 I helped develop and oversee four master’s programs and one doctoral program. . . read more.
Mark Rhoads
Professor of Music Education | rhomar@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1988
Rhoads teaches courses in church music, music education, and gen. ed. arts courses. He is a member of the Hymn Society of the United States and Canada and is active in discussions on music and worship, with current research in American hymnody, especially the reform movement in the American Protestant church in the early 19th century. Rhoads is active in church music as director, hymn and tune writer, and worship planner. He also writes and publishes poetry.. . . read more.
Heather Ross
Partnerships Coordinator | heather-ross@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016
Heather's role is to support community partnerships, including the charter schools authorized by Bethel.
Danny Swensen
Professor of Education | d-swensen@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2008
Areas of expertise include mathematics and physics education, education technology, and statistics.
Sarah Tahtinen-Pacheco
Associate Professor of TESL | s-tahtinen@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2006
30 years experience in teaching & research in: Teacher Education, Bilingual-Bicultural and World Languages and Cultures Ed.; Pre-K -Adult, Curriculum, Assessment, and Instructional Design, ESL/Bilingual/Foreign Language Program, Development & Evaluation, Faculty Development/Teaching Mentor, and Doctoral/Masters Thesis Advisor
Steven Thompson
Professor of Music Education | s-thompson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2002
Thompson teaches courses in instrumental conducting, instrumental pedagogies, private trumpet instruction, and conducts the Bethel Wind Symphony. Thompson maintains an active performing schedule as a trumpeter in the Upper Midwest and the Eastern United States. He is sought after as a clinician and as an adjudicator for numerous contest events.
Geri Von Grey
Instructor in Education | geri-vongrey@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2012
