Early Childhood Education

Rondi Wussow has been teaching in the Early Childhood Education program since 1997. She teaches a combination of first and second year courses. Her courses include those that focus on guidance strategies, environmental considerations for early childhood settings, professionalism in the field, and planning and implementing curriculum. Her favorite course is Children's Language and Literacy Experiences, and she also enjoys coordinating internship and practicum experiences. Rondi has experience in the field of early childhood in both Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) and child care center settings. In addition, Rondi has been a part of many local and state boards and organizations that work with children, families, and professionals in the field of early childhood. She also helps to coordinate the Customized Training course offerings by the ATCC.

Rondi received her BES with a major emphasis in Child and Family Studies and her MS in Parent and Family Education along with her Parent Education license from St. Cloud State University.

Joni Jacobson is an instructor in Alexandria Technical & Community College's Early Childhood Education program. Joni is an occupational therapist with 25 years of experience working with children in home, child care, and school settings. Through her education and experience, she has a strong foundation in normal child development, atypical development, medical disabilities, and mental health disorders in children. In addition, Joni has consulted extensively with school teams in the areas of assistive technology, managing challenging behaviors, and autism spectrum disorders.

Joni received her BS in Occupational Therapy at the University of North Dakota and her MS in Health Care Administration at the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Des Moines, IA.

Darla Harstad has worked in education for 35 years as an elementary teacher, elementary principal, and staff trainer. Her wide range of experiences has provided a strong background in working directly with children of all ages as well as instructing adults in educational best practices. In her leadership roles she has worked with both organizations and individuals in goal setting, strategic planning and program implementation.

Darla is an instructor in Alexandria Technical & Community College’s Early Childhood Education program. Darla received her BS in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood Licensure from Winona State University, her MS in Curriculum and Instruction and K-12 Principal and Superintendent Licensure from St. Cloud State University.