Mirella is a Senior Research Associate at WestEd, a non-profit organization working towards improving learning, healthy development, and equity in schools and communities. For the last seven years, her work at WestEd has focused on quality improvement and assessment in early care and education programs across the bay area. Before joining WestEd, Mirella worked for UC Berkeley’s Center for the Study of Child Care Employment (CSCCE) researching how our nation prepares, supports, and rewards the early care and education workforce. Mirella has also worked as a toddler and preschool teacher.
Mirella grew up in Dixon, CA, and has lived in Oakland for nearly 15 years. She previously served two terms on the Alameda County Early Care and Education Planning Council and co-chaired the Early Care and Education sub-committee. Currently, Mirella volunteers weekly at the Alameda County Community Food Bank.
Mirella holds a BA in Psychology and Spanish from UC Davis, MA in Developmental Psychology from SF State, and an EdD in Educational Leadership in Early Childhood Education from Mills College. She has been in the early childhood field for over 20 years.
