Ana Elfers

Ana Elfers is a Research Associate Professor at the University of Washington's College of Education, specializing in educational policy, teacher workforce dynamics, and school leadership systems. Her research directly informs Washington state policymakers on equity in education access and teaching quality improvement initiatives.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Education from the University of Washington
• M.A. from the University of Belgrade
• B.S. from Washington State University

Dr. Elfers employs qualitative research methods to investigate professional development systems, school community dynamics, and leadership structures that support effective teaching. She maintains specialized expertise in international education with focus on Central and Eastern Europe, drawing from extensive overseas professional experience. Her work consistently bridges academic research with practical policy applications for state and district educational leaders.

Her publication record demonstrates sustained focus on Washington state's teacher retention, mobility patterns, and evaluation systems since 2006. Collaborative work with the Center for the Study of Teaching and Policy reveals consistent emphasis on equity issues - particularly for teachers of color and early career educators - while analyzing how policy implementation affects classroom practice and student outcomes across diverse school settings.

Scientific Awards:

• No scientific awards mentioned in the provided text

Dr. Elfers has not listed specific advisees in the provided materials, but her research program involves significant grant-funded work commissioned by the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. These projects examine teacher and principal retention, evaluation systems, and workforce development, indicating substantial external funding for policy-relevant educational research.

She conducts research through the Center for the Study of Teaching and Policy at the University of Washington, collaborating with colleagues like Margaret Plecki on multi-year studies examining educational leadership, teacher evaluation frameworks, and workforce equity initiatives within Washington's public education system.