The at-large and district elections for the MCPS Board of Education took place on Tuesday, November 5. In a decisive victory for Montgomery County educators, all candidates endorsed by the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) have secured their place on the Board. Rita Montoya, Laura Stewart and Natalie Zimmerman earned the union’s endorsement through a rigorous selection process. They will now take their seats as new board members, signaling a shift toward stronger advocacy for teachers and students in the district.
The Rigorous Endorsement Process
The MCEA’s endorsement process for Board of Education candidates is highly structured and rooted in a commitment to ensuring that educators’ and students’ voices are represented at the decision-making table. Candidates seeking the union’s support are first invited to complete a questionnaire and participate in an in-person interview. These interviews, which took place on March 3, 2024, are open to all MCEA members, who help assess candidates based on their alignment with key union issues and priorities. After the interviews, the Political Action Committee (PAC), a group of MCEA members, reviews the results and makes recommendations to the MCEA Board of Directors. The union’s Building Representatives receive detailed candidate profiles, including responses to the questionnaire. At the subsequent Representative Assembly, the PAC presents their recommendations, and members engage in discussions and vote on which candidates to endorse.
“The process is collaborative, and it’s rooted in the belief that the best candidates are those who understand the challenges facing educators, students, and families. We voted to endorse Rita Montoya, Laura Stewart, and Natalie Zimmerman because they are aligned with our vision for improving public education,” an MCEA Building Representative of B-CC said.
A New Era: Why No Incumbents?
In a notable departure from past elections, MCEA did not endorse any incumbents for the Board of Education. This decision stemmed from the union’s stance against the actions of the current board members during critical moments of the COVID-19 pandemic. In both 2021 and 2022, MCEA members voted “no confidence” in the Board of Education and Superintendent Jack Smith due to their handling of the transition from virtual to in-person learning, which lacked adequate protections for students and staff. This sentiment was further fueled by the Beidleman scandal, which led many union members to question the Board’s commitment to transparency and accountability. According to one of the MCEA Building Representatives of B-CC, this history made it difficult for MCEA to support incumbents: “It was a matter of integrity. We couldn’t endorse candidates we had previously expressed no confidence in, especially when those decisions were backed by 94% of our members.”
The New Faces of MCPS Education
Rita Montoya, a parent of MCPS students, a PTA president, and a juvenile public defender, brought a unique perspective to the table. Montoya’s experience advocating for children’s rights and her commitment to ensuring that all voices, particularly those of students and families of color, are heard resonated with MCEA members. Her belief in collaboration with teachers and the union made her an ideal candidate for the Board. “Rita is a fierce advocate for children and has shown time and again that she believes in the importance of working with teachers to make meaningful decisions,” a Building Representative said.
Laura Stewart, a longtime public education advocate, was another standout choice. Stewart has been a vocal proponent of education reform at both the state and local levels for over a decade. Her work with the state PTA and involvement in initiatives like the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future demonstrated her deep understanding of the challenges facing educators, students, and parents in MCPS. “Laura has the experience and dedication needed to push for positive changes at the state and local level. Her advocacy will bring fresh ideas to the Board,” an MCEA Building Representative at B-CC said.
Finally, Natalie Zimmerman, a second-grade teacher within MCPS, emerged as one of the most compelling candidates. A part of the national movement of teachers running for Board positions, Zimmerman made the difficult decision to resign from her teaching job in order to run for the Board. Her firsthand experience in the classroom, combined with her deep understanding of the impact of Board decisions on teachers and students, made her an ideal candidate for MCEA’s endorsement. “We need more educators in positions of power to bring the real experiences of our classrooms to the decision-making process,” an MCEA Building Representative of B-CC said. “Natalie’s commitment to improving conditions for teachers and students is exactly what the Board needs.”
Looking Ahead
With the election results in, the MCEA is optimistic about the future of education under the leadership of Montoya, Stewart and Zimmerman. These newly elected board members are poised to advocate for policies that prioritize teacher support, student well-being and greater transparency within the school system. Ms. Dugger said, “This election was about making sure that the voices of teachers, students, and parents are heard, and we’re excited to see how these new board members will lead the way forward.”
