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.
Katie Bonawitz
Associate Professor of Education | katie-bonawitz@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1998
Areas of expertise
Bonawitz focuses her research in the areas of general education teachers working with students with special needs and special education amidst world religions. Her teaching specialties include history of special education, legal issues related to special education, specific learning disabilities, classroom management, observation, and assessment.
Keith Brooks
Associate Professor of Education | k-brooks@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2008
Areas of expertise
Brooks focuses his research in youth development, ethical issues in human services, U.S. history since 1865, culturally responsive instruction, racial equity in schools, and school climate and change. His teaching specialties include issues in education, cultural competence, career development, interpersonal relations, and community and family settings.
Katherine Churchill
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Education | k-churchill@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1990
Areas of expertise
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.
Sandi Horn
Associate Professor of Education | sandi-horn@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1997
Areas of expertise
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.
Jill Martin
Associate Professor of Education | jmartin@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1996
Areas of expertise
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
Areas of expertise
Paulson focuses her research on trustworthy practices for learning science in grades preK – 12, including using NGSS scientific practices of investigation and engineering, developing and using performance assessments and creating authentic scenarios. She has led the GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science) program for the last five years, coordinates the STEM certification program, and teaches Life Science Concepts, Applied STEM Practices, and Science Curriculum and Methods: Elementary, Middle, and High School. Paulson also teaches Curriculum and Instruction in Higher Education for the Ed.D. program
Jolene Pearson
Associate Professor of Education | jolene-pearson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2012
Areas of expertise
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.
Linda Probert
Associate Professor of Education | linda-probert@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1997
Areas of expertise
My expertise is in Kindergarten Education and Literacy for young children.
Jay Rasmussen
Professor of Education | rasjay@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1997
Areas of expertise
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 as the Director of Graduate Programs in Education at Bethel. Previous to my university teaching/administrative experience, I was employed as an elementary classroom teacher and building principal for eight years. I hold a B.A. degree in elementary education from Florida State University, a M.A. degree in educational administration from the University of Minnesota, and a Ph.D. degree in curriculum and instruction (with an emphasis on reading, language arts, and children's literature) from the University of Minnesota.
Dan Swensen
Associate Professor of Education | d-swensen@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2008
Areas of expertise
Swensen’s scholarly work focuses on the development of the Mathematics Standard Level exams taken by International Baccalaureate candidates. His teaching specialties include middle school education, education technology, statistics, and math and physics education.
Geri Von Grey
Instructor in Education | geri-vongrey@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2012
Louise Wilson
Department Chair, Associate Professor of Education | louise-wilson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1999
Areas of expertise
Wilson’s research interests include school reform, charter school development, cognitive learning, and brain development. Her teaching specialties include educational psychology, technology integration, instruction, and school change.
Program Distinctives
Approved by Minnesota Board of Teaching
The Board of Teaching governs the teacher licensing requirements for the state of Minnesota. The undergraduate Education program at Bethel meets these requirements.
Accredited by Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC)
Bethel’s undergraduate Education program is an accredited member of the Teach Education Accreditation Council (TEAC).
Twin Cities Teacher Collaborative
Bethel’s Education program is part of a Bush Foundation funded collaboration with five other higher education institutions called the Twin Cities Teacher Collaborative (TC2).