Katie Bonawitz

Katie Bonawitz is a faculty member at Bethel University, serving as the Associate Dean of Education and Program Director for the MA Special Education programs. With over 15 years of experience, she has been instrumental in advancing inclusive education practices globally.

• Educational Background: B.S. from St. Cloud State University (1996), M.Ed. from Bethel University (2005), Ed.D. in Special Education Administration from Bethel University (2013)

Her research focuses on disabilities across world religions, Finnish Special Education principles, collaboration between general and special education, and transformational teacher preparation. She has led initiatives in Lithuania and Ukraine to implement inclusive education models.

Key trends in her work include:

• Global application of Finnish education concepts like Sisu
• Religious and cultural influences on special education
• Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
• Legal frameworks for disability support
• International teacher training

Dr. Bonawitz has received significant recognition, including the 2023 Fulbright Scholarship and 2024 Fulbright Specialist Project appointments. Her work spans conference presentations, workshops, and collaborative research across six countries.