Education

• Doctorate in Education from Nova Southeastern University-Fischler School of Education
• Master of Science in Education in Curriculum and Instruction-Minnesota State Mankato
• Bachelor of Science in Education-Martin Luther College

Academic Interests and Specialties

Elementary, Special, and Secondary Education, Reading and Literacy Practices, Learning Disabilities and Autism

Research

Science of Reading, Autism, Inclusive Practices within a Private-School Settings

Licensure-Certifications

Minnesota Elementary Education (K-6), LETRS Faciliator

Professional Memberships

The Reading League

Service

• Member of Higher Education Literacy Professionals (HELP)
• Professional Development leader in LETRs for Mankato Public Schools and South Central Services Cooperative 2021-2025
• Member of the Program Review Panel (private institution representative) for PELSB
• Program and Unit Reviews for PELSB

Presentations/Publications

“Increasing Pre-Service Teachers’ Efficacy in Teaching Reading Through Field Experiences”. The Reading Journal. Fall 2025.

“The Science of Reading and Higher Education: Minnesota Takes Action”. The Reading Journal. Spring 2025.

“How to Train Future Reading Teachers”. The Triple R Teaching podcast. December 2, 2024.

2025 Professional Development facilitator for Reach All Readers

2024 Presentations to International Dyslexia Association-Upper Midwest Conference “The Science of Reading & Higher Education: Minnesota Takes Action”

Presentation to MACTE “Early Literacy Clinical Experiences: Four Stories”

Facilitator of Professional Learning Community study of the text The Science of Reading: A Handbook

Additional Campus Responsibilities

Bethany Literacy Clinic-Director

Biography

Dr. Carrie Pfeifer is Professor and Education Department Chair at Bethany Lutheran College, where she holds the Browne Literacy Chair and directs the campus literacy clinic that provides free interventions to community children.

With over 30 years of teaching experience in elementary and secondary schools, she holds a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and a doctorate in Education with a focus in Special Education from Nova Southeastern University.

Dr. Pfeifer provides professional development in the science of reading to area districts, serves on state education boards including the Reading Panel of Professional Educators’ Licensing and Standards Board, and presents nationally on literacy, special education, and neuroscience topics.She is a member of Higher Education Literacy Professionals (HELP) and serves as an adjunct professor in the graduate program at Martin Luther College