Anna Barthen is the Inclusion and Exceptionalities content specialist for Shine Early Learning and Young Star Connect. Prior to joining Shine, Anna worked as an Early Childhood Special Education teacher in Wisconsin for three years. Before her work in public education, Anna owned and operated a licensed family childcare for five years. Anna holds a dual license in Early childhood special education and general education. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater, a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University, and a Master of Art in Infant and Early Childhood development with an emphasis in mental health and developmental disabilities from Fielding Graduate University. Additionally, she is currently a doctoral candidate at Fielding Graduate University, where her research focuses on the childcare experiences of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder.