BETHANY TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM PASSES ACCREDITATION
March 25, 2021
LINDSBORG, KAN., March 25, 2021 – Bethany College is pleased to announce that the Teacher Education Program was officially accredited by the Kansas State Board of Education on March 11, 2021, and will continue to be fully accredited until December 31, 2027. The program received high praise from the accreditation team having met all standards required by CAEP, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. The accreditation review occurs every seven years, and ensures the quality of the education program leading to teacher licensure for students who are wanting to teach in elementary, middle or secondary levels. Bethany was the first private college in Kansas accredited by NCATE in 1954.
Today, Bethany offers 11 teacher education programs in Art, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Elementary Education, English, Instrumental Music, Mathematics, Physical Education and Health, Social Science, and Vocal Music, including endorsements in Special Education and English Language Learners (ELL). Currently, there are 85 teacher education candidates.
Dr. Gretchen Norland, Associate Professor and Chair of the Education Department, was thrilled to celebrate this accomplishment after preparing for the accreditation for the past two years. “I am grateful for our education team, the teacher education faculty and supervisors, and the advisory council who have been vital to the program. We greatly appreciate the efforts of the campus, community, and school partnerships that continue to support our candidates with rich experiences. The students and alumni are the core and heart of the program – the purpose behind the fine work we have done together. This is truly a reflection of Bethany’s Education Program Vision: "We believe teacher education is a cooperative venture in building relationships and empowering candidates to be knowledgeable, skillful, and inspiring professionals who focus on the interests, welfare, and success of learners."
“The decision by the Kansas State Board of Education is evidence of the effort of the Education Department faculty to continue to strive for excellence in their program. I am proud of their hard work over the years and their continued dedication to prepare our students for success after graduation,” said Dr. Elizabeth Mauch, Bethany College President.
Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The mission of Bethany College is to educate, develop, and challenge individuals to reach for truth and excellence as they lead lives of faith, learning, and service. Bethany connects its past, present, and future with distinctive initiatives like the Good Life Scholarship, presenting all local high school graduates with a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to the college. Bethany College is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, the fine arts and crafts capital of the state. Find us online at www.bethanylb.edu.
Bethany College is proud to announce the return of sideline cheer, launching with the 2025–26 academic year. Leading the program is newly appointed head coach Patricia Smith, an experienced educator and cheer coach. Sideline cheer will return to Bethany’s home football and basketball games.
Bethany College is pleased to announce the appointment of Audrey Saxton as the new Assistant Professor of English. Saxton earned both her Master of Arts and Ph.D. in English from Penn State University, where she taught courses in writing and composition, world literature, and pre-1800 literature.
Bethany College is pleased to announce the appointment of Megan Case as the new Assistant Professor of Religion. Case earned her doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin in 2016 in Ancient Mediterranean Religions with a graduate portfolio in Women's and Gender Studies.
