Monica Romero

Director of Federal Grants
Washington School District, AZ

Monica Romero is a passionate educator who has served in a multitude of positions in education throughout the last 26 years ranging from a teacher, counselor, vice principal, principal at a local Phoenix high school, to serving as a director of Federal Programs at three major districts in Arizona. A humble beginning as a student worker at colleges such as Western New Mexico University and Arizona State University, she has earned her B.A. and M.A. degrees. After her first teaching experience, she has worked researching and implementing best practices aimed at increasing literacy proficiency among all students. She has committed her time and efforts to work with diverse students identified as Native American, migrant, refugee and EL status.

One of her greatest honors is working with the Arizona Department of Education as an education program specialist engaging in performance management and collaborative monitoring of fiscal and programmatic activities to ensure grantees are accessing and expending grant resources in accordance with federal and state applicable statues and programmatic requirements, and that schools are leveraging resources effectively and efficiently to meet local needs.

Apart from working in education, she takes pride in volunteering for students in the community through previously being a chairwoman for the Si Se Puede Foundation, being awarded the title of Women of Chandler for her work in empowering underrepresented students, and served as a member of the Interstate National Migrant Education Committee advising a national committee for the re-authorization of the 2016 ESEA law to guide school districts of students with migratory status due to parents working in our nation’s agriculture fields across the United States reflecting her experience as a first-generation student and professional.

Romero prides herself on continuing to improve methods of learning and is an avid lover of travel, museums, and new experiences to broaden her horizons.