PATRICIA MUNOZ-ROCHA Transforming Learning Ecosystems for Social Change

EXPERIENCE

INDEPENDENT CONSULTING 2015 – PRESENT

ARISTON INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO, IL 2017 – PRESENT
o Member of the Design Team to explore and rethink higher education in the Twenty-First
Century for the creation of an educational pipeline Pre-K-20 to close the opportunity gap of
underserved communities in the United States and abroad.
o Exploration of collaborative partnerships in South America. EDUCATION
o Establishment of strategic partnerships with community organizations, governmental and
M.Ed. in Educational Leadership
regulatory agencies, private business, and professional associations. 2015
o Engagement with various ethnic and minority communities to guarantee diversity in the High Tech High
institutional deployment, as well as to secure the participation and support of these Graduate School of Education
communities in the process of creating and nurturing the membership. San Diego, CA
Prepare and submit 28 applications to process with the Illinois Board of Higher Education
(IBHE) the Authority to Operate and the Degree Granting Authority. B.S in Administration of Systems
1984
ASOCIACION DE PROMOTORES DE SALUD (APS) 2018 – PRESENT Politécnico Grancolombiano
Founding President of the Board of Directors Bogotá, Colombia
o APS is a non-profit community organization with the mission to inform Latino families about
health issues and educate them in the adoption of scientifically proven healthy habits.
o Co-design curriculum Promotores de Salud/Health Promoters for Spanish speaking families.
o Establish partnerships with healthcare organizations, governmental institutions, community
organizations, and businesses to develop a local campaign for a healthy lifestyle.
o Recruit and train adults, college students, and children volunteers. LANGUAGES
o Develop a social-media platform to inform and educate 10,000 families.
Pilot the educational and health program with a cohort of 14 people for six months. Fluent in English and Spanish
o Organize town halls to discuss health issues with elected officials, healthcare professionals,
and community members.

HIGH TECH MIDDLE, SAN DIEGO, CA 2014 – PRESENT

o Creation of the leadership movement of Latino monolingual parents (HTH-Parent Odyssey) in
a diverse school. This is the result of my graduate action research at HTH GSE – “An Inclusive CONTACT
Collaborative Approach Towards Equity” INFORMATION
o Implementation of the parent leadership and coaching program for parents to mentor other
parents. [email protected]
o Establishment of partnerships with private and public organizations and universities: Barrio 773.816.7270
Logan College Institute, University of California San Diego, University of San Diego, San Diego
State, San Diego Public Libraries, Reality Changers, The Princeton Review, Rokenbok 707 W Waveland Avenue
Education, and American Civil Liberties Union. Apt. 708
o Successful fundraising training for parents (they raised $53,700) through the University of Chicago, IL 60613
California San Diego and University of San Diego for SAT Math preparation and College writing
courses for students.
o Incremented parent leadership team from 5 leaders in year 1 (2014) to 93 in year 4 (2018).
o Increased parent participation in events from 135 participants year 1 (2014) to 1,009
participants in year 4 (2018).

SOY FAMILIA CENTER, CHICAGO, IL /DBA 2017 – 2019

o Trained leaders of the Local School Councils of the Chicago Public Schools.
o Developed and implemented a comprehensive educational program for parents to include
coaching and self-evaluation.

Patricia Munoz-Rocha p. 1
 o Led the organization’s end-of- the year program evaluation resulting in the realignment of the
educational goals to focus on school culture, college entrance and retention, and family
immigration issues.
o Established the educational/social emotional Home-School program for immigrant students.
o Increased parent participation from 70% to 83% and expanded outreach to refugee
communities.

HIGH TECH HIGH INTERNATIONAL (HTHI), SAN DIEGO, CA 2014 – 2015

School Leadership Resident Director HTHI PROFESSIONAL
TRAINING IN
Co-directed HTHI, school with 404 students and 36 staff, as required by the Graduate Program; and EDUCATION
coached first year teachers, using reflective practices for the creation of meaningful projects.
Prepared budget for 2015-2016.
Key Accomplishments: Improvement Science &
Deeper Learning,
o Creation of resources for students and families in Spanish.
High Tech High,
o Creation and piloting of the 4-year College plan for freshman students. Carnegie Foundation
o Development of a playlist for first year teachers. San Diego, CA

INSTITUTO DEL PROGRESO LATINO, CHICAGO, IL 2010 – 2013

Founding Principal of Instituto Health Science Charter School (IHSCA) Charter Schools: Practices for High
Performance
Harvard GSE, The Principal’s Center
Hired and supervised 85 employees (faculty, clinical and administrative staff). Recruited 450 students,
Cambridge, MA
communicated with parents, school district, board, community, and industry partners. Prepared
budget and reporting to district, funders, and school board.
Key Accomplishments: Youth Empowerment Seminar
o In 2013, school scored Level 2 based on the District’s Accountability System (being Level 1+ (YES!)
the highest) and ranked 59 out of 161 Chicago (including magnet and selective schools). Educator’s Leadership Course
International Association for
o 100% of senior class was accepted to attend college and secured financial aid at the time of
Human Values
graduation.
Chicago, IL
o Creation and implementation of an engaging and efficient recruitment/admission process.
Wait lists surpassed the 1,000 students target during all 3 years.
o Development of a collaborative framework with parents that created an inclusive Early College Initiative,
environment of respect and support. Jobs for the Future
o Establishment of an induction 4-week summer program for freshman students to meet Boston, MA
classmates, explore careers, and develop a sense of belonging.
o Creation of the “Learning Center” tutoring and advanced program during and after school,
Inquiry Based and Literacy Across
Christmas, Spring, and Summer breaks. the Curriculum
o Successful grant funding through the universities’ work-study program to support 100% of University Park High School
the expenses of the “Learning Center”. Worcester, MA
o Creation and implementation of the curriculum framework integrating college, health career
pathways, internships, and certifications in the healthcare field.
Data Driven Workshops
o Development of a pilot pipeline for the Nursing Early College Program, where 8 students
Uncommon Schools
from the first class, received their high school diploma and the certification of Certified Nurse Newark, NJ
Assistant.
o Development of articulation with health organizations, hospitals, laboratories, community
clinics, and the Illinois Innovative Talent Program, where interdisciplinary teams of students Summer Residencies
collaborate with the industry-sponsored problems and provide innovative solutions. Project Based Learning
o Establishment of other Strategic Articulations with more than twelve post-secondary High Tech High
San Diego, CA.
institutions for mentoring and internship programs. Some partners include: University of
Chicago, Northwestern University, Rush University, Loyola University, Illinois Institute of
Technology, University of Illinois, and the City Colleges of Chicago.
o Creation and nourishment of an inclusive, empathic, and respectful culture among students
and adults.

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 o Establishment of an advisory model of personalized relations between adults and students
with a ratio of 15 students per advisor.
o Establishment of Shared Leadership Framework for faculty, clinical, and administrative staff.
o Development and implementation of Outcome-based/Data Driven Accountability model,
where faculty and staff initiated the process with their goal setting and self-evaluation.
o Launch fitness and wellness program in partnership with the International Association of
Human Values; where students and staff learn Yoga, breathing techniques, and stress release
techniques. Everyone practiced for 20-mintes every day allocated in the schedule.
PROFESSIONAL
o Creation of a comprehensive science curriculum with 10 courses and integration with the
TRAINING IN
Biomedical curriculum from “Project Lead the Way” for all students.
EDUCATION
o Development and implementation of a school-wide Literacy Program where the English
(continuation)
Language Arts and Social Studies Departments collaborate to implement reading and writing
across the curriculum.

INSTITUTO FOR LATINO PROGRESS, CHICAGO, IL 2008 – 2009 Project Based Learning
Senior Educational Charter/Pathways Manager for Aspira Schools
Buck Institute
Led the design team of 28 professionals, consultants and community leaders to create and submit the Chicago, IL
proposal for a college preparatory high school. The school is a career pathway in the health sciences
with the mission to prepare the new generation of doctors, nurses, scientists, veterinarians and other
Best Practices
healthcare professionals.
Progressive Teaching Methods and
Key Accomplishments: National Standards
o Approval of the proposal by Chicago Public Schools to open the Instituto Health Sciences Walloon Institute
Career Academy in September 2010. Geneva, IL
o Collaborated with the architectural team in the conceptual design of the school to embrace and support
the design principles of IHSCA. The architect firm JGMA has received the Design Excellence Merit Award
for Interior Architecture of the Instituto Health Sciences Career Academy and other awards. Alternative Education for Urban
Youth
YOUTH CONNECTION CHARTER SCHOOL (YCCS), CHICAGO, IL 2007 Youth Connection Charter School
Senior Academic Project Manager Chicago, IL

Led and coordinated the development of a Model of Alternative Urban Education in Career Pathways
for a network of 23 schools. The mission of the network is to reengage students back into the Special Education Law and
educational pathway. Students were pushed out or they dropped from the public high schools. Instruction Workshops, Chicago
Public Schools Chicago, IL
Key Accomplishments:
o Creation the model of IT Career Pathway establishing partnerships with CISCO Systems and
Moraine Valley Community College. Performance Excellence:
o Development of the Assessment & Accountability Framework for the network. Aligning Schools with the 2001
o Approval of the Assessment & Accountability Framework by the district authorizer. Malcolm Baldrige Criteria
American Society for Quality
Chicago, IL
ASPIRA, CHICAGO, IL 2003 - 2007
2
Founding Principal of Mirta Ramirez Computer Science Charter School (MR(cs) )

Provided leadership and supervision to 20 teachers, 4 college advisors, and 9 administrative-support Illinois Technology and Leadership
for Change
staff. Prepared all reporting required by the district, funders, and partners who funded the school
Illinois State University
during the start-up and beyond. Maintained open communication with families, staff, students, and
Aspira administration.
Key Accomplishments: Chicago Leadership Academies for
o Implementation of a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with an intense program in Supporting Success
computer technology (2 hours of classes every day for 4 years) aiming to close the digital Chicago, IL
divide and to build a pipeline that would place all graduate students in college.
o Development of a structured recruitment and admission process with a wait list above 700
students during all 4 years, in spite of the rejection of charter schools by the teachers union,
district and community organizations.

Patricia Munoz-Rocha p. 3
 o Development of a Faculty who owns the curriculum and the academic process.
2
o In 2005, Chicago Public Schools ranked MR(cs) first in “Academic Progress” among 70 high
schools in Chicago.
o In 2006, school ranked 13th out of 70 in the Prairie State Achievement Examination (PSAE)
(battery of tests including ACT, Work Keys, and Illinois State Board of Education Science).
o 100% of senior class was accepted to attend college and secured financial aid at the time of
graduation
PROFESSIONAL
o Throughout the 4 years, implemented and integrated the high school curriculum within the
multidisciplinary approach of project based learning methodology. TRAINING IN
o Establishment in 2006-07 of a Data/Assessment Driven Instruction Process and development TECHNOLOGY &
of a sense of academic urgency among faculty and students. PLATFFORMS
o Creation of a safe educational environment by the establishment of an organizational culture
of core values: Honor, Courage and Commitment.
o Creation and development of the College Advisory Model that secured college enrollment Student Management System
and financial aid for the entire founding class of 2007. PowerSchool
o Establishment of a sustainable community outreach by implementing annual Problem Based
Integrated Projects: Chicago Transit Authority – Blue Line Campaign students successfully
Microsoft Office Suite
advocated for the continuation of services of the blue line train. The Annual Computer Health
Google Suite
Fair for the Community in collaboration with Moraine Valley Community College where
students cleaned their computers and installed antivirus, while teaching them how to protect
and maintain programs up-to-date. Project Management
o Establishment of strategic partnerships: Trello
o High Tech High: funding, mentoring, and training in Project Based Learning, San Microsoft Project
Diego, CA Apptivo
o Moraine Valley Community College: co-developers in the internship program with
dual enrollment for an Early College Senior Academy Pilot Project. Palos Hills,
Infographic / Visual
Illinois. Piktochart
o NorthStar Academy: training and mentoring in Data/Assessment Driven Instruction. Visio
Newark, New Jersey. SmartDraw
o CISCO Academy: training and mentoring in the CISCO Curriculum. Chicago, Illinois
o ORACLE University: training and mentoring in the ORACLE Curriculum. Chicago,
Illinois. Video / Presentations
Animoto
ASPIRA, CHICAGO, IL 2002
Project Manager
Visual Mapping
Led a team of 23 professionals, consultants, and Puerto Rican community leaders to prepare and Mind Manager
submit the proposal for a charter high school with focus in Computer Science. The proposal outlined a Lucidchart
24-credit curriculum with 4 years of Math, English, Science and Computer classes. Science used the
“Physics First” model and English used the model of literacy across the curriculum.
Data Bases
Key Accomplishments:
DBase
o After several rounds in the selection process, the proposal was approved competing with 5 Paradox
other candidates for the last charter school slot. At the time, there was a hostile environment Oracle
towards charter schools.
o Creation of a charter high school with the mission of serving inner-city-and-at-risk-minority
students and to close the digital divide. Big Systems
Novell
UNIX
ASPIRA, CHICAGO, IL 1998 - 2002 CISCO
Principal of Antonia Pantoja Alternative High School (APHS) IBM
Lotus
Provided leadership and supervision to 11 teachers, 5 counselors, and 4 clerical staff. School served 9-
12-grades, 280 dropout students ages 18 – 21. Empowered students to take control of their present to
transform their future.
Key Accomplishments:
o Turned Around the school that was in probation for academic performance and safety.

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 o For 3 years, between 2000 and 2002, APHS ranked among the three top schools in Youth
Connection Chicago Charter School, a consortium of 23 alternative high schools. In addition,
the entire graduating class took the ACT, applied for scholarships and admission in
institutions of higher education; 100% of students were accepted and above 30% attended
college within the same year.
o Expansion of Curriculum from 18 to 24 credits and establishment of stricter policies of
promotion and attendance. Creation and implementation of a 4-year program (was a 2-year
program).
o Adoption of “Physics First” in Science and development of Computer Literacy curriculum in
Technology required for graduation. VOLUNTEER
o Integration of Project Based and Social Problem Based Education into the curriculum. SERVICE
o Expansion of school year to include the summer term. Piloted interdisciplinary 6-week-
project-based and a co-teaching model
o Established year contracts for Faculty and staff with salaries to include the summer.
o Development and implementation of Admin policies and procedures.
o Creation of the student and teacher handbook. INSTITUTE OF CHRISTOPHER
o Establishment of strategic partnerships: LEADERS
o Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) - articulation to house APHS in NEIU
Organization that empowers
Westside Campus and offer students access to dual enrollment in an Early community members through
College Experience. leadership training fostering
o Space Explorers Program from the National Aeronautics and Space Social Change.
Administration (NASA) - to allow students use the virtual simulation modules of
launching and navigating missions to the Moon and Mars.
o High School Aviation Program from the U.S. Department of Transportation CODO A CODO INTERNATIONAL
(DOT) - to offer students aviation classes, including flying simulator as well as
various hours of actual flying Non-profit Organization that
provides resources, education,
o Multimedia Community Program from the School of Communications of
and hope to families displaced
Columbia College to enroll students in classes of video and short films by the violence in South
production. America.
o Chicago Access Network Television (CAN TV) -to provide students with
internships and training in camera, editing, producing and directing programs in
a Public Television Station.

DEPAUL UNIVERSITY, CHICAGO, IL 1996 - 1997

Technology Specialist Instructor, Office of Applied Innovation
Developed and taught curriculum of 9 courses to migrant workers in the areas of Quality Control, ISO
9000, Safety, and Communications for companies of 100+ employees.
Key Accomplishments:
o Redesign the Professional Development Program for 5 companies and factories to include
bilingual training on a permanent basis.
o Creation of Bilingual (English/Spanish) materials for training.
o Development of self-evaluation survey of competencies required for main floor
manufacturing jobs.

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING COLLEGE, CHICAGO, IL 1993 - 1995

Registrar Officer
Secured the record keeping of a 45-year old College with more than 50,000 records. Records include
demographics, registration, grades and attendance data for 3 Bachelor Degree programs, 4 Associate
Degree programs and 12 Certificates programs.
Key Accomplishments:
o Creation of the Management Information System (MIS) using PARADOX.
o Systematization of scheduling, attendance rosters, transcript generation, and other reporting
processes.
o Development of Administrative Policies and Procedures for the Registrar and Admission
Department.

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TREE TOWNS CLINICAL LABORATORIES, CHICAGO, IL 1990 - 1993
Director of Informational Systems
Supervised the transition of the laboratory processing to a new Medical Lab Software. Revised the
accuracy of data processing, reporting, and billing of lab exams for private and governmental
agencies.
Key Accomplishments:
o Satisfactory implementation of the new Medical Lab Software with 100% of accuracy.
o Establish the process to secure the processing and reporting of an average of 3,000 lab
tests/exams for some 800 patients and more than 300 physicians, medical centers and clinics
in the Chicago.
Creation ofed the Manual of Policies and Procedures in English and Spanish.

IBM, BOGOTA, COLOMBIA 1986 – 1990

Director of Informational Systems

o Analysis of educational IT needs for managers of several banks/financial corporations’.

Developed and implemented academic plan for managers on IBM products.
o Managed 17 accounts in the largest cities of the country.

GIMNASIO CAMPESTRE, BOGOTA, COLOMBIA 1984 - 1986

Director of Apple Computer
st
o Pioneer in Education – Developed and taught the 1 computer science curriculum for grades 6-
12 in the country.
o Created instructional manuals for students and educators.

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