Erin Trondson
Early Childhood Education Project Manager & Senior Policy Analyst
Madison,WI
Summary
Leader in the field of Early Care & Education (ECE) with extensive experience designing equitable and sustainable ECE policy, programs, and systems. Looking for a leadership position to aid in the transformation of public policy and practice into effective and sustainable ECE systems that support the health and well being of young children and their families.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work History
ECE Project Manager & Senior Policy Analyst
Madison College
Madison, Wisconsin
04.2022 - Current
- Planned, designed, and scheduled phases for large projects including Districtwide Childcare Roadmap and Wisconsin Workforce Innovation (WIG) grant for childcare initiatives.
- Understand college’s ECE priorities and objectives.
- Work collaboratively with different college departments, funders, and external ECE agencies.
- Align efforts and resources toward goal of increasing sustainable ECE systems.
- Identified internal and external ECE plans in order to leverage resources required to meet project goals and objectives.
- Conduct and oversee data collection and analysis including financial analysis of 2.8 million in grant funds, multiple surveys to collect data on parenting students, and analysis of external data and other primary research.
- Utilize focus groups, stakeholder interviews, partnership meetings, discussion with funders, and leadership briefings, to collect input and recommendations to better guide and direct the project.
- Conduct presentations and briefings, with prepared external-facing materials to report on status of The Disctrictwide Child Care Roadmap, WIG grant objectives, and college’s multiple ECE initiatives.
- Deliver high-quality deliverables on time and to satisfaction of college and Department of Workforce Development's (DWD) expectations.
- Expertly develop relationships with partners, funders and leadership that is based on principle, integrity and a shared investment in creating systems to support children and families through thoughtful ECE policy, practice and systems.
- Works to educate and mentor multiple internal college communities, including faculty, students, and staff - on importance of sustainable and healthy ECE systems and how that work applies to their area of focus or department.
- Works collaboratively to develop clearly communicated strategies to leverage funding and other resources between partnerships with external agencies, while solidifying new opportunities for partnership and expansion.
ECE Consultant
Erin Trondson Consulting
Madison, WI
06.2017 - Current
- Delivered outstanding service to clients to maintain and extend relationship for future education system consultant opportunities
- Supported clients with business analysis, start-up of ECE centers, documentation, state licensing regulation, staffing patterns, Head of School Search, Board advisory roles, hiring, policy development and data collection.
- Aligned closely with business owners to gather information and gain operational insight.
- Created and developed detailed work plans to meet business priorities and deadlines.
- Managed multiple deadlines across several businesses to meet school and center needs and timelines.
- Analyzed problematic areas in policy, enrollment, and personnel to provide recommendations and solutions.
- Prepared presentations to explain revisions, enhancements and process improvements of school or center's systems and programs.
- Supported creation of detailed, technical financial models.
- Educated staff and teachers on organizational mission, best practices, and goals to support professional development needs.
- Evaluated staff performance and provided coaching to support best practices in ECE.
- Developed effective improvement plans in alignment with goals and specifications.
- Helped meet changing demands by recommending improvements to business systems or procedures.
- Created and managed project plans, timelines and budgets.
- Cultivated positive relationships with governing agencies and directors to support systems that enhance the wellbeing of the children and families served.
Visiting ECE Professor & ECE Adjunct Professor
St. Catherines University
St. Paul, MN
01.2020 - Current
- Graded quizzes, tests, homework, and projects to provide students with timely academic progress information and feedback.
- Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills, resulting in clear subject matter discussion with students.
- Established and maintained inclusive, collegial and collaborative culture within classroom.
- Developed diversified course curriculum to meet regulatory standards and support learning objectives.
- Used different learning modes and types of technology to engage students in achieving learning outcomes.
- Researched and selected course texts and supplemental learning materials.
- Worked with dean to assess and evaluate courses and programs in appropriate discipline.
- Conducted on-going program assessment, enrollment and retention tracking.
- Created excitement and enthusiasm in classroom by delivering engaging subject matter.
- Developed semester outlines and instructional plans for each class session to comply with stated course objectives.
- Incorporated instructional technologies in course delivery for both in-class and online instruction.
- Reviewed program materials and coordinated updates to keep department materials relevant and accurate.
- Impartially evaluated papers, projects and homework assignments of over 100 students, delegating grading to teaching assistants when appropriate.
- Assessed students' progress and provided feedback to enhance learning.
- Taught diverse student population by employing various learning styles and abilities.
ECE Center Director/Executive Director
Woodland Montessori School
Madison, WI
01.2002 - 01.2022
- Developed and implemented emergency response plans for disasters, security issues and injuries.
- Kept facility in compliance with all applicable standards and laws.
- Led and motivated teachers from diverse backgrounds, fostering improved job and social skills.
- Recruited and developed solid team of professionals to care for up to 100+ children each day.
- Managed $1,500,000 yearly budget for personnel, supplies and building costs.
- Worked with other departments, local governmental organizations and community groups to provide well-rounded host of services for children and families.
- Fostered caring and safe environment for children and parents.
- Tracked trends and suggested enhancements to both challenge and refine the preschool's offerings.
- Launched staff engagement, gender diversity and cultural programs in addition to robust reporting tool that increased operational quality.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members according to state licensing regulations.
- Implemented innovative salary & wage scale and wellness strategies to increase teacher longevity and minimize turnover to less than 5% annually.
- Cultivated and strengthened lasting relationships with families and staff using strong issue resolution and dynamic communication skills.
- Mitigated business risks by working closely with staff members and assessing performance.
- Implemented strategies to substantially increase revenue and be able to offer ECE teachers a sustainable living wage and benefits.
Adjunct ECE Professor
University Of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI
01.2015 - 01.2020
- Used variety of learning modalities and support materials to facilitate learning process and accentuate presentations.
- Graded quizzes, tests, homework, and projects to provide students with timely academic progress information and feedback.
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
- Developed and implemented online learning platforms such as Canvas and Desire to Learn for improved learning and student performance.
- Worked with colleagues and administrators to create robust ECE education courses and programs.
- Taught Early Childhood Education courses, providing instruction to up to hundreds of undergraduate and dozens of graduate students.
- Developed curriculum standards, lesson plans and syllabi.
- Worked cooperatively with other members of faculty and staff to contribute to overall institutional effectiveness.
- Used Canvas and Desire to Learn online learning platforms to keep accurate records of students' attendance and grades.
- Studied program needs and enhanced content and teaching methods to better communicate material.
Education
Master of Science - Curriculum And Instruction - ECE Focus
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, WI 09.2013 - 05.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Gender Studies & Anthropology
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, WI 01.1993 - 05.1997
Skills
Project planning and development
Project Management
Budgeting
Budget administration
Strategic planning
Design Equitable & Sustainable ECE Policy
Stakeholder Engagement
Oversee team of 25
Work independantly
Thoughtful approach design
Transform policy into effective practices to serve chidren and families
Presentations/Speaking Engagements
- Winning with Wisconsin’s Workforce - Removing Barriers: Childcare -Department of Workforce Development (DWD), Madison WI, 2023
- Talent Development Conference - Exploring Solutions to Workforce Challenges: Childcare Solutions need Workforce Solutions - Wisconsin Workforce Development Association (WWDA) LaCrosse, WI 2023
- Wisconsin Early Childhood Association Conference (WECA) Madison, WI- 2021 & 2017
- Pacific Northwest Montessori Association Seattle WA - Keynote - 2018
- Wisconsin Montessori Association (WMA) - Milwaukee, WI 2018
- Montessori Works Inc.Denver, CO - 2018
- UW Platteville Early Childhood Seminar Keynote Co-Presenter- 2018
- School Administrator Training - Seton Montessori Institute (SMI) - 2022
- American Montessori Society (AMS) Conference - San Diego & Boston 2016 & 2017
Accomplishments
Embracing Equity in Education Cohort 2021-2022
Outstanding Thesis Award - 2017
Research Grant - 2016
Timeline
ECE Project Manager & Senior Policy Analyst
Madison College
04.2022 - Current
Visiting ECE Professor & ECE Adjunct Professor
St. Catherines University
01.2020 - Current
ECE Consultant
Erin Trondson Consulting
06.2017 - Current
Adjunct ECE Professor
University Of Wisconsin River Falls
01.2015 - 01.2020
Master of Science - Curriculum And Instruction - ECE Focus
University of Wisconsin - Madison
09.2013 - 05.2016
ECE Center Director/Executive Director
Woodland Montessori School
01.2002 - 01.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Gender Studies & Anthropology
University of Wisconsin - Madison
01.1993 - 05.1997