Staff Spotlight:
Samantha Monahan
With over 14 years of experience as an occupational therapist, including 4 years at HCDS, Samantha Monahan has built a career rooted in creativity, compassion, and dedication to helping children thrive. Her journey began in a non-public special education school in NYC, where she discovered how her love for crafts and innovative activities could foster independence and skill-building in students.
Today, she balances providing OT services with leading as our Related Service Coordinator, ensuring both students and staff feel supported and celebrated.
Professionally, she has presented twice at AOTA’s national conference on therapeutic interventions that improve focus, attention, and writing skills. Personally, her proudest achievement is her family, her husband, two young daughters, and their Labradoodle, who share her love for adventure. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, exploring new restaurants, and playing tennis, a sport she grew up with. Guided by the mantra “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” she brings positivity, balance, and a little fun to everything she does.
Q&A
What inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
Prior to working at HCDS, I worked for many years at a non-public special education school in NYC as an occupational therapist. Becoming an occupational therapist joined my passion for working with children with my creativity and love for crafts, allowing me to create and develop fun, innovative ways to foster improvement and independence in a student's skill set. After 14 years as a full time clinician (4 of those years at HCDS), moving into a leadership role as the related service coordinator, felt like a natural next step.
Can you share a memorable project or achievement you’re proud of?
Professionally- I have had the opportunity on 2 separate occasions to present at AOTA's national conference on various therapeutic interventions that help students maintain focus and attention, as well as improve writing skills. Personally- as corny as it sounds, my proudest achievement is my children.
Hardest Part about your job?
Not necessarily the hardest, but a challenging aspect of this job, is balancing all of the different pieces that come with this role, and knowing how to manage my time and stay organized. I have many varying responsibilities, and I always want to be sure I am tending to each task with the same amount of thought and care it deserves.
What are some of your hobbies or interests outside of work?
When I am not at work, I love spending time with my family- my husband, 2 young daughters and my Labradoodle. We love to go on family adventures, whether it's going on a hike, checking out a new local restaurant, or just going to the dog park and playground.
What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day for me always starts with 1 (but realistically 2) cups of coffee.. having 2 kids under 4 will do that to you! Each day is a balance between providing OT services to my students and fulfilling my coordinator responsibilities. What is equally as important, is making sure my staff feel appreciated and supported. A simple "thank you" goes a long way.
What I enjoy most about my job is working with the students! Whether it is something as small as gesturing to request an item, or learning to tie their shoes, it's important to celebrate the small victories! It's also important to have a little bit of fun- so whether it's doing a seasonal activity, or planning a school wide event, such as a school dance, I want to make sure that my staff continue to enjoy their work, because it can definitely be challenging, some days more than others!
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Making the program participants and residents happy. I love what I do and helping others brings me joy.
Do you have a personal mantra or philosophy that you live by?
Don't sweat the small stuff, and don't worry about what other people think!
What's a fun fact about you that most people wouldn't know?
I am a big tennis fan and tennis player. My entire family loves the sport, so I grew up with a racket in my hand!
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
I would want super-speed or the power to teleport- because I do not like sitting in traffic!