Rachel Jorgensen

Academics Faculty

Rachel Jorgensen

Email: rra35368@bethel.edu

Job Titles

Highlight

Dr. Rachel Jorgensen is a leader in work-based learning with experience in both general education and special education work-based learning programs. She also has expertise in the area of special education and parental support for students with disabilities. She is the author of two books published by Routledge. The first, Loving Your Job in Special Education: 50 Tips and Tools, is a resource on burnout prevention to help educators find lasting peace and joy in their work as special educators. The second, Supporting Your Child with Special Needs: 50 Fundamental Tools for Families, is designed to support parents/guardians of students with special education services as they navigate the system and support their young learner. Rachel currently a teacher coordinator of work-based learning for students with special education needs in the Twin Cities Metro Area. In her spare time, she enjoys presenting seminars for the Bureau of Education and Research and spending time with her wonderful family. Her life verse is Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight.

Started at Bethel

2017

Education

  • Augsburg College - B.A. in Education, 2004
  • Augsburg College - M.A. in Special Education, E/BD and SLD, 2006
  • Bethel University - Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, 2025

Biography

Rachel is a current coordinator of work-based learning for students with special needs at the high school level.  She has been in the field of special education for approximately 20 years, and has also served as an instructional coach for special education teachers during this time.  As a special education teacher, Rachel instructed students across multiple disability areas in subjects such as reading, writing, social skills, and study skills.  As an instructional coach, Rachel served as a coach for a caseload of 90 special education teachers facilitating reflection and professional growth.  At the heart of Rachel's philosophy is the belief that student empowerment is the goal of education.  Her hope is to instruct Bethel education students in strategies to bolster independence, self-determination and lifelong success in their future students.  She also hopes to support the cultivation of a strong work ethic and a positive career experience for students in the individualized internship program.  Rachel is tremendously grateful to be a part of such a loving, nurturing and service-centered community at Bethel University!

Click HERE to learn more about the Teacher Licensure of Work-Based Learning Program!

Courses Taught

EDUC 705, History and Advancement of Work-Based Learning

SPED 623, Consultation, Collaboration and Resources

Associate of Sciences Individualized Internship Courses

Publications

Jorgensen, R.R. (2023). Supporting your child with special needs : 50 fundamental tools for families. Routledge.

Jorgensen, R.R. (2023). Loving your job in special education : 50 tips and tools. Routledge.

Jorgensen, R.R. (2023, November 20). Using AI in implementing restorative practices. Edutopia.org. https://www.edutopia.org/article/using-ai-restorative-practices.

Jorgensen, R.R. (2023, August 22). Why I keep teaching. Edutopia.org. https://www.edutopia.org/article/why-i-keep-teaching.

Jorgensen, R.R. (2023, August 22). Work-based learning in high school. Edutopia.org. https://www.edutopia.org/article/work-based-learning-high-school.

Jorgensen, R.R. (2022, October 11). Work-based learning in high school. Edutopia.org. https://www.edutopia.org/article/work-based-learning-high-school.

Jorgensen, R.R. (2022, March 9). Connecting with students through strategic sharing. Edutopia.org. https://www.edutopia.org/article/connecting-students-through-strategic-sharing.

Jorgensen, R.R. (2021, August 25). How collaborating on note-taking can boost student engagement. Edutopia.org. https://www.edutopia.org/article/how-collaborating-note-taking-boosts-student-engagement.

Jorgensen, R.R. (2020, June 9). How to teach with empathy in distance learning. Edutopia.org. https://www.edutopia.org/article/focus-empathy-distance-learning.

Presentations

Jorgensen, R.R. (2025, March 20). Teaching as an act of love. Bethel Advance, Arden Hills, MN, United States. https://www.bethel.edu/undergrad/academics/education/community-partnerships/bethel-advance.

Jorgensen, R.R. (2025, February 28). Keynote: Fostering independence through work-based learning. Minnesota Association for Career and Technical Education for All, Everybody Works Conference, Brooklyn Center, MN, United States. https://mnacteforall.wordpress.com/everybody-works-conference/.

Certificates and Licenses

General Education, K-8, Communication Arts Focus, 2001

Special Education, E/BD, SLD, 2003

Teacher Coordinator of Work-Based Learning, 2016

Certified in Cognitive Coaching

Google Educator Certification

Crisis Prevention and Intervention Certification

Professional Organizations, Committees, and Boards

Work-Based Learning Advisory Board, Anoka-Hennepin Public Schools

National Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training Collaborator

MN Association for Career and Technical Education Cohort Participant

Hobbies and Interests

In her free time, Rachel loves cheering her children on at their sports (football, basketball, soccer, and cross country running).

Rachel loves to read books about education to keep growing and discover new 'light bulb' moments.

She's also an avid writer and enjoy researching/writing on educational topics related to work-based learning and special education.

Areas of expertise

Work-Based Learning Experiential Learning Burnout Prevention in Special Education

Research interests

Differentiated Instruction in K-12 and Higher Education Settings Evidence-Based Practice in Special Education Universal Design for Learning

Teaching specialty

Work-based Learning Experiential Learning Special Education

Quote

"Be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle." -Plato

Website

https://www.linkedin.com/in/racheljteaches/