Bethany Academy

  About Bethany
  A Closer Look
  Career Opportunities
  Admissions
  Spiritual Development
  Academics
  Faculty & Staff
      Overview
      Elementary
      Secondary
      Staff
  Athletics & Activities
  What's Going On
  Giving
  Edline
  Contact Us
  Parent Testimonies
  Donate to Bethany

Click on a teacher's photo (grades K-6 only) to view their class overview and their name to e-mail with questions.

	Miss Beth Wilson Kindergarten Miss Wilson is an alumna of Bethany Academy. She graduated from Bethel University with a degree in Education. Beth is blessed by the opportunity teach in a Christ-centered environment. This is her fourth year at Bethany Academy.
	Mrs. Kim Sorensen First Grade Mrs. Sorensen graduated from Westmont College in California with a B.A. in English and attended the U of M to earn her B.S. in Elementary Education. She has had many years of experience teaching both first and third grades. Kim has also worked with children on the autism spectrum in mainstreamed classrooms, and teaches English to new immigrants in the evening. She and her husband, Jon, have three children. The Sorensen’s have also had the joy and privilege of serving in Japan, as missionaries and teachers.

	Miss Joni Parrish Second Grade Miss Parrish is an alumna of Bethany Academy. She graduated from Northwestern College with a B.S. in Elementary Education and Bible. She has a heart for missions and has been on several mission trips. Joni is in her seventh year teaching at Bethany Academy. She also coaches the JV girls' soccer team.
	Mrs. JayAnn Ray Third Grade Mrs. Ray is an alumna of Bethany Academy and graduated from Northwestern College with a degree in Elementary Education. This is her ninth year teaching at BA. She and her husband, Jeff, also an alumnus of the Academy, have three daughters who attend BA.
	Mrs. Marlene Smith Fourth Grade Mrs. Smith attended Bethany Academy and is a graduate of Crown College where she earned a B.S. degree in Elementary Education. This is her sixth year teaching at the Academy, though she has 13 years of previous teaching experience. Marlene has a heart for Christian education and the eternal impact it brings to the lives of our students. She and her husband, Steve, have a daughter who attends BA.
	Mr. Andrew Hale Fifth Grade Mr. Hale has a BA in Elementary Education and 13 years of teaching experience. He was blessed to spend a year teaching in a missionary school in Manila, Philippines. He and his wife, Jen have a 3 year old daughter. Andrew feels privileged to serve our Lord by showing just how great and awesome our God is and how much He loves and cares for each of us.
	Mrs. Clare Weigand Sixth Grade Mrs. Weigand graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa with a BA in Elementary Education. She received her Master’s at the University of Minnesota, Moorhead. Clare has taught in elementary and middle schools in New Mexico, Colorado and Minnesota. She appreciates and values her Christian education and wants to pass that on to her students. Clare and her husband, Todd, have 3 children who attend Bethany Academy. They are a very active family that enjoys biking, skiing and traveling.
	Mrs. Jane Allison Music Mrs. Allison is in her 24th year at Bethany Academy as the Elementary Music Specialist. She also accompanies the secondary music groups. She has an extensive background in theory and composition, vocal and instrumental arranging, church music, and Hebraic music. Jane has enjoyed a career in music ministry that spans four decades and stretches over three continents. The Allisons have two sons who are alumni of Bethany Academy.
	Mr. Mark Arneson 4th grade Band Mr. Arneson attended Valley City State University and Moorhead State. He's also studied with a world renowned Jazz Instructor with an emphasis on music theory and arrangement. Mark is also on the roster with the Grammy nominated Minnesota Orchestra. He has taught at North Central University and has given private lessons as well. He also has his own recording studio, producing various local artists. This is Mark's fifth year at BA and he is honored to work with our incredibly talented and respected staff.
	Mr. Keith Esala 5th & 6th grade Band Mr. Esala has 31 years teaching experience. He is a graduate of Concordia University-St. Paul and earned his Master of Music degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He has been the choir director at several schools and churches. Keith and his wife, Beverly, have three grown children. Mr. Esala says he is thrilled to become part of the community of Christians at Bethany Academy and looks forward to sharing his love of music and the love of Jesus with the students.
	Mrs. Ginger Kendrick Physical Education This is Mrs. Kendrick’s 13th year at Bethany Academy. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with a degree in Physical Education and Health. Ginger and her husband, Tim, have a son, one daughter who attends the Academy and one who is a graduate of BA.
	Mrs. Kelli Kasperek Admissions Director Librarian Mrs. Kasperek has a B.S. degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. This is her tenth year at Bethany Academy. Kelli has two children who attend the Academy and one who is a graduate of BA. She is grateful to work in an environment where God gets the glory in all that we do.