Dr. Thor Benson
Science Faculty
Ph.D. Science Education, University of Minnesota
M.A. Educational Leadership, Bethel University
B.S. Kinesiology, Wheaton College
ACSI Certified, State Teaching License
First year at SWCHS: 2015
House Sapientia
Dr. Thor Benson seeks to cultivate an engaging teaching and learning environment for our students and faculty. He also teaches a variety of science courses (biology, physics, and Earth & Space science) and has been the head coach for the boys lacrosse program since its inception. He also facilitates the Leadership Academy for students who feel called to serve and lead the SWCHS community.
Since starting his teaching career in 2002, Dr. Benson has held a variety of roles as a teacher in K-8 physical education, middle school and high school science, and as a college professor.
During his 10 years in higher education, he was a professor of science education and the director of the college’s honors program. Throughout his teaching experience, Dr. Benson has taught every grade from kindergarten to graduate students and has had the privilege of teaching a few students during their elementary, high school, and college careers.
Dr. Benson also serves as a Teaching for Transformation school designer with the Center for the Advancement of Christian Education, helping schools engage in distinctively Christian learning.
Dr. Benson and his wife, Kettie, live in Chanhassen and have three children, Molly, Lily, and Soren. They attend Grace Church. As an extreme extrovert and mediocre athlete, Dr. Benson can be found playing a sport or lawn game if he is not mountain biking or hanging with family.