Samantha Morado
Chicago
Summary
Dynamic professional with extensive experience in program monitoring and evaluation, dedicated to ensuring compliance and enhancing operational efficiency. Proven ability to leverage strong analytical skills to assess program performance and drive continuous improvements. Well-versed in regulatory standards and adept at fostering effective communication with stakeholders to align objectives and achieve desired outcomes. Committed to delivering impactful solutions that support organizational goals and enhance program effectiveness.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Child Nutrition Program Monitor
Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
12.2025 - Current
- Conduct program monitoring activities to assess fiscal and programmatic compliance with federal and state child nutrition regulations.
- Coordinate monitoring schedules, timelines, and documentation with school food authorities, child care centers, and sponsoring organizations.
- Draft monitoring findings, recommendations, and reports to support program quality and regulatory compliance.
- Serve as a primary point of contact for participating organizations on programmatic Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
- Perform monitoring reviews to evaluate fiscal and programmatic compliance with federal and state child nutrition program requirements.
- Develop monitoring scope and objectives and document findings, recommendations, and corrective actions.
- Compile detailed compliance reports and support resolution of findings with participating institutions.
- Provide technical assistance and guidance to ensure adherence to applicable regulations and agency guidelines.
- Monitored program compliance with state and federal education regulations.
- Reviewed grant applications for alignment with funding criteria and educational objectives.
School Assignment Specialist
Chicago Public Schools – Office of Access & Enrollment
08.2024 - 12.2025
- Managed district-wide program operations supporting student placement and enrollment processes.
- Coordinated across central office teams, Citywide Assessment Teams, and school-based staff to resolve complex cases.
- Led review and tracking of IEPs and 504 Plans to ensure procedural accuracy and compliance.
- Analyzed operational data to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
- Prepared reports and documentation to support leadership decision-making.
- Developed and implemented strategic enrollment plans to increase access for underrepresented students.
- Analyzed student data to identify trends and improve recruitment strategies across schools.
- Trained staff on enrollment procedures and best practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Collaborated with community organizations to enhance outreach efforts and support enrollment initiatives.
- Evaluated program effectiveness, making data-driven recommendations for enhancements in access services.
- Facilitated workshops for parents and students, providing resources on educational opportunities available within the district.
- Led cross-functional teams in project management, ensuring timely execution of enrollment objectives and goals.
- Streamlined communication channels among stakeholders, improving clarity and efficiency in the enrollment process.
- Followed all company policies and procedures to deliver quality work.
- Improved customer satisfaction rates through proactive problem-solving and efficient complaint resolution.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to achieve project goals on time and within budget.
- Implemented new training programs for staff, leading to higher employee retention rates and better overall performance.
- Led quality assurance efforts, maintaining high standards for all products and services.
- Increased efficiency by automating routine tasks with software solutions.
- Assisted in developing strategic plan that aligned with long-term company goals.
School Entry Support Specialist
Chicago Public Schools – Citywide Assessment Teams (CATs)
06.2021 - 08.2024
- Supported large-scale assessment and enrollment programs with high-volume caseload management.
- Coordinated scheduling, staffing, and logistics for citywide and summer operations.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align resources, timelines, and deliverables.
- Developed reports and tracked performance metrics to support program oversight.
- Assisted with onboarding and training of new staff.
- Analyzed assessment data to identify trends and areas for improvement.
- Facilitated training sessions for staff on assessment tools and procedures.
- Collaborated with teams to streamline assessment processes across departments.
- Mentored new staff on best practices in data management and reporting.
- Coordinated logistics for citywide assessments, ensuring timely execution and compliance.
- Led initiatives to enhance communication between schools and assessment teams.
- Responded to customer inquiries and resolved complaints to establish trust and increase satisfaction.
- Optimized internal workflows to expedite incident escalations, leading to faster problem-solving efforts from specialized teams.
- Managed high-priority tickets with professionalism, ensuring timely resolutions while maintaining excellent rapport with clients.
- Improved customer satisfaction by addressing and resolving technical issues swiftly and efficiently.
Special Education Classroom Assistant
Chicago Public Schools
08.2019 - 06.2021
- Provided individualized support to students with emotional, cognitive, and learning disabilities to enhance academic and behavioral outcomes.
- Collaborated with general education teachers to implement instructional accommodations and ensure inclusion in mainstream classrooms.
- Adapted curriculum materials in English, Science, Spanish, Health, and Art based on students’ IEP goals and learning needs.
- Supported instruction in a self-contained classroom under the guidance of a Special Education Teacher.
- Reviewed and implemented IEPs, delivering targeted support and accommodations to meet each student’s goals.
- Facilitated communication with Spanish-speaking families by translating IEP meetings and educational documents.
- Led IEP meetings in Spanish, ensuring families were fully engaged and informed in the special education planning process.
- Supported classroom management by facilitating engaging activities tailored to student needs.
- Assisted educators in developing and implementing individualized education plans for diverse learners.
Education
Master’s - Public Administration, Minor in Human Resources
National Louis University
Chicago, Illinois05.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Communication Sciences and Disorders
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, Illinois05.2018
Skills
- Bilingual (Spanish & English)
- Activity planning
- Documentation skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Multitasking
- Program Management
- Operations
- Compliance Integration
- Stakeholder Management
- Process Improvement
- Data Analysis & Reporting
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Child Nutrition Program Monitor
Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
12.2025 - Current
School Assignment Specialist
Chicago Public Schools – Office of Access & Enrollment
08.2024 - 12.2025
School Entry Support Specialist
Chicago Public Schools – Citywide Assessment Teams (CATs)
06.2021 - 08.2024
Special Education Classroom Assistant
Chicago Public Schools
08.2019 - 06.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Communication Sciences and Disorders
Saint Xavier University
Master’s - Public Administration, Minor in Human Resources
National Louis University