As an Associate Director of Research and Policy, Anna’s research focuses on early care and education systems in California, including the California Early Care and Education Workforce Study and the California Family, Friend, and Neighbor Care Study. Anna began her career as an early childhood teacher and nonprofit program manager in Washington, DC. To better support students, parents, and fellow educators, she returned home to the Bay Area to study public policy, eventually coming to CSCCE after working in county offices of education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in History from Princeton University and a master’s degree in Public Policy from the UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy. Anna is also a classically trained soprano and rock band vocalist.
Publications by Anna Powell
July 15, 2025 • Blog • By Anna Powell
The Center for the Study of Child Care Employment (CSCCE) published a brief about harmful immigration policies’ impacts on the early care and education (ECE) workforce…
TK Teachers Need Principals to Be Mentors, Not Just Cheerleaders
June 10, 2025 • Data Snapshot • By Anna Powell, Wanzi Muruvi, Lea J.E. Austin and Abby Copeman Petig
This report was generously supported with grants from the Heising-Simons Foundation, the Blue Shield of California Foundation, and First 5 California. In Spring 2024, the Center for the Study of…
May 27, 2025 • Report • By Wanzi Muruvi, Jeremy Simon, Anna Powell, Abby Copeman Petig and Yoonjeon Kim
This report was generously supported with grants from the Heising-Simons Foundation, the Blue Shield of California Foundation, and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. California is expanding transitional kindergarten (TK)—the state’s…
California 2025: It’s Time to Do Right by Early Educators
May 7, 2025 • Blog • By Anna Powell, Laura Pryor and Tonia McMillan
California’s early care and education (ECE) workforce will be the first to tell you they’re not in this profession for the money. They wake up early every day and prepare…
The Impact of Pandemic Relief Funds on California’s Early Care and Education Programs and Workforce
February 11, 2025 • Report • By Wanzi Muruvi, Refujio Gonzalez, Anna Powell and Abby Copeman Petig
This report was generously supported with grants from the Heising-Simons Foundation, the Blue Shield of California Foundation, and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Federal legislation in response to the COVID-19…
The Early Care and Education Workforce of Stanislaus County
January 23, 2025 • Report • By Anna Powell, Wanzi Muruvi and Abby Copeman Petig
This report was generously supported by the Stanislaus County Office of Education. Building on the California Early Care and Education (ECE) Workforce Study, this report provides a snapshot of the…