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.

Program Directors & Lead Faculty

Katie Bonawitz

| katie-bonawitz@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2007

Dr. Bonawitz is a 2020 Fulbright Teaching Grant recipient to Tomsk, Russia. She researched disabilities amidst world religions for her doctoral work. Other research areas of interest include serving individuals with disabilities across the world, principles of Finnish Education, collaboration with general and special education, and transformational teacher preparation. Her special education teaching specialties include history, legal issues, mild-moderate disabilities, and cultural and ling. . . read more.

Faculty

Karin Farrington

Thesis Advisor | k-farrington@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2013

Karin started her teaching career in 2004 in K-12 Special Education EBD, SLD, OHI, and ASD and has taught in federal settings I,II,III,IV. She received her K-12 Art teaching license in 2018, has four years of teaching experience as a K-5 Elementary Art teacher, and is currently a High School Art teacher. Karin began her adjunct position at Bethel University in 2013 in the Special Education MA program where she was an instructor, thesis advisor, and student teacher supervisor. After receivin. . . read more.

Nicole Higgins

Adjuncy Faculty | nih45543@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2019

Education Professional Committed to: Special Education Inclusion Developmental Disabilities Transition Programs Person Centered Planning Education Technology

Mary Lindell

Associate Professor | mlindell@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015

Dr. Lindell is interested in practices and interventions that support student success in inclusive environments. She enjoys facilitating general and special education teacher development and partnering with schools to better prepare teachers and serve (P-12) students well. Her research agenda centers on the impacts of inclusive post-secondary programs and Bethel's BUILD program.

Peg McCormick

Associate Professor of Education | p-mccormick@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2009

Peg McCormick's interests and areas of specialization include Behavioral Theory, interventions for the EBD classroom, resilient health and occupational longevity for teachers, and best practices for the support of international student teachers.

Molly McKinnon

Student Teacher Supervisor | moe44467@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022

Molly graduated in 2002 with a bachelors in Elementary Education and Deaf and Hard of Hearing license. She started her teaching career in 2002 as a K-12 Special Education Itinerant Deaf and Hard of Hearing teacher. Molly then moved into the classroom working with students who have moderate to severe cognitive disabilities. She received her masters in special education in 2004 with added licenses in Developmental Cognitive Delay (DCD), and Physical and Healthy Disabilities (PHD). Molly has f. . . read more.

Linda Probert

Associate Professor of Education | linda-probert@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1997

Beginning as a general education elementary teacher, Associate Professor Probert has taught at Bethel since 1996 in both the CAS, CAPS, and the Graduate levels. Her main responsibilities are teaching Reading Foundations and working with students as they complete their edTPA during student teaching. She also is one of the professors that teaches Foundations of Education.

Taylor Williams

Supervisor of Student Teacher Candidates | t-d-williams@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022

Education Administration Special Education

Adjunct Faculty

Meg Cavalier

Adjunct Faculty | cavmeg@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017

I received a B.A. in Elementary and Science Middle School Education, M.A. in K-12 Education and Ed.D. in Education Administration from Bethel University. I currently serve as the Executive Director at St. Paul City School, a charter school district serving 550 PreK-12th grade students. My work in education has varied from teaching at the Minnesota Zoo to, an elementary Special Education teacher, 7-12 science teacher and secondary principal and a private school in Bloomington, MN. I have had. . . read more.

William Derden

Adjunct Professor | wid88763@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2019

Adjunct Professor Specializing in Special Education Due Process and Law Graduate of Bethel Educational Doctorate Program.

Nathan Elliott

Adjunct Instructor | nathan-elliott@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2013

Nathan Elliott has served as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and educational consultant. He began teaching at Bethel University in 2013, and has since developed several new courses in the areas of instructional methods, assessment practices, and technology integration. He also enjoys advising students as they develop their thesis projects.

Karen Gabriel

Adjunct Instructor | karen-gabriel@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2020

Karen has 40 years of experience in the field of education. More than 30 of those years have been in special education. Karen recently retired from Anoka-Hennepin District 11 after being a special education lead teacher for 20 years at a middle school. As department leader, Karen provided leadership and support to staff, parents and students regarding special education. She coached/mentored special education teachers and collaborated with general education teachers to successfully provi. . . read more.

Erica Hering

Adjunct Faculty | e-hering@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2005

Erica is a former elementary school teacher who has served in higher education for 12 years. Erica has worked with the Doctoral and Licensing Program in Educational Leadership since 2006. She also received her doctoral degree through Bethel's program.

Rachel Jorgensen

Adjunct Instructor | rra35368@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017

Educator with a specialized focus in the areas of work-based learning, internship development and special education.

Amie Lorence Grubidge

Adjunct Instructor of Education | amie-lorence@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016

Adjunct Instructor of Education

Michael Mignard

Adjunct Instructor | m-mignard@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2002

Introduction to Education

Maia Miller

Adjunct Faculty | maia-miller@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2014

Maia has been working and teaching in the special education field for over 20 years. During this time she has worked with students in all disability areas. Maia started, like many, as a para in a special education classroom. For 10 years Maia worked with middle school students teaching reading, writing, and social skills classes. She also taught in a center-based DCD program for multiple years. For the past 9 years, Maia has worked as a Work-Based Learning Coordinator for high school s. . . read more.

Jan Mrozinski

Adjunct Faculty | j-mrozinski@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016

Professor Mrozinski's education and experiences are in the fields of both mental health and special education. Given this background, she is interested in preparing teachers to serve students and families in professional, focused, and compassionate ways.

Nichole Olsen

Adjunct Professor | nio53336@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021

Living life out loud unapologetically for Jesus. Kindness, compassion, empathy, grace, these are the things I want more of everyday. Bethel has been a light in the world for me. A place to learn, grow, and thrive. Not just a building, but a community designed to equip you for a future to glorify our creator in all that you do. Worked in the K - 12 system for over 8 years full time, moved to part time this last fall. Joined the Bethel community as an adjunct faculty member to give back to th. . . read more.

Alecia Pankratz

Adjunct Faculty | a-pankratz@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2010

Alecia Pankratz is an adjunct faculty member in the Special Education Graduate program as a reading field experience instructor. She graduated from Bethel University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts and Literature and in 2008 with a Master of Arts in Literacy. She teaches high school English and reading at Anoka High School in Anoka, MN.

Kristi Romo

Adjunct Faculty | kristi-romo@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2018

Kristi Romo is an adjunct faculty member in the Special Education Graduate program as a reading field experience instructor. She graduated from University of Northwestern-St. Paul in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts and Literature and in 2008 with a Master of Arts in Literacy. She also graduated from Hamline University in 2015 with a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults. She is a Q-Comp Peer Evaluator for the Anoka-Hennepin School District. . . read more.

Bethany Sahli

Adjunct Professor/Student Teaching Supervisor | b-sahli@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2019

I am grateful that God has led me to Bethel and am enjoying my second year on staff. I have spent 12 years in education, during which I have had the privilege to hold teaching and administration positions at elementary and middle schools across the Twin Cities and in my home state of Indiana. My husband, two boys (8 and 3), and I live in the heart of St. Paul. I am passionate about educational equity and school transformation.

Susan Schwope

Adjunct Teaching Partner Instructor | s-tag@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2000

Psychology Mental Health Special Education

Lisa Silmser

Adjunct Assistant Professor | l-silmser@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2002

Lisa is grateful to have been called to the ministry of teaching. She keeps current on K-12 practices by remaining in the classroom and readily shares practical expertise and stories from her experiences in a variety of settings, including teaching special education students in an online school. She teaches in the MA in Teaching, MA in Special Education and M.A. in K-12 Education programs. She is program director for MA in K-12 Education. Areas of interest include Instructional Strategies, . . . read more.

Charles Strand

Adjunct Faculty | c-strand@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2000

I enjoy my work at Bethel University in the area of Special Education! As a retired special educator, my greatest passion now is to help Graduate Students be more successful as special education teachers!

Lauren Van Gomple

Adjunct Instructor/Lecturer | lsv89686 | Started at Bethel: 2018

As a Bethel Alumna, Professor Van Gomple is proud to contribute to the valuable learning that takes place at Bethel. After many years in the special education classroom, she brings her experience and expertise to her role as a teacher educator! Personal areas of expertise include social-emotional learning, trauma-informed practices, evidence-based intervention, literacy, assessment, and instructional design.

Jodi Wolkerstorfer

Instructor of Education | woljod@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015

Jodi is passionate about supporting current and soon-to-be educators on ways to collaborate and find success for all students including those with special education needs.

Susan Larson

Adjunct Faculty | susan.larson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2013

Susan Larson is a licensed Speech Language Pathologist with a history of working in public, private, and charter schools. She currently works in an urban school district as an SLP and clinical supervisor. Her strong interest and experience working with autistic individuals from age three to 21 led her to Bethel University where she began to teach in the special education program in 2013. Susan teaches courses in autism and is also a thesis advisor, a role she thoroughly enjoys. Her professi. . . read more.