We’ve all met people who are “all in” on something… be it a hobby, career, or calling. Calvin Swartzendruber? He is all in when it comes to Bethany. Calvin is one of those select few individuals who attended Bethany as a student, became a parent, and has devoted much of his teaching career to his alma mater.
Calvin graduated from Bethany in 1989 and attended both Hesston and Goshen Colleges to complete his bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He earned a master’s degree in chemistry from Purdue University and a certificate in school administration from Indiana Wesleyan University.
After 14 years teaching science at Elkhart Central High School, Calvin, moved to Bethany in the fall of 2008. In his years at Bethany, Calvin estimates that he has taught science to approximately 1,000 
In addition to teaching chemistry and physics, Calvin serves Bethany as curriculum and instruction director. He oversees professional development, curriculum review, testing, and data analysis–ensuring that our staff, students, and school meet and exceed educational goals. Calvin shares, “One of the things that makes it a joy to work at Bethany is that everyone is here for a purpose, and we know we’re all a team. We’re here to provide high-quality education, but our focus isn’t only academic–we want to see our students grow in all areas of their lives.”
As if Bethany doesn’t keep him busy enough, Calvin also serves as an occupational safety consultant for Goshen College, a summer researcher in physics at the University of Notre Dame, and a part-time faculty member for Western Governors University. Calvin notes that some of his most rewarding accomplishments include raising four children to adulthood (or near-adulthood in the case of his youngest, a Bethany sophomore), receiving a Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellowship in 2014, and finally getting his instrument rating as a private pilot in 2023.
We’re thankful for all the ways Calvin has and will continue to impact the Bethany community by being “all in.”
