Rita Montoya
City/town of residence: Silver Spring
Date of birth: Dec. 18
Current occupation and employer: attorney, advocate and consultant; self-employed
Political experience: This is my first running for office
Website: https://www.montoya4mcps.com
Email: montoya4mcps@gmail.com
Social media links (Facebook, Instagram, X, etc.): Instagram and X—montoya4mcps
Why are you running for this office?
As a mom of two young kids, I am running for the At-Large Board of Education seat because elementary school families, families of color and families with learning differences deserve a voice. As a mother of color, PTA president, nonprofit leader, trained attorney, former juvenile public defender, public servant and policy advocate, I bring a variety of perspectives to the Board of Education. My own educational journey—from Head Start preschool to law school via community college—is also a testament to what students can achieve when provided with the appropriate support mechanisms.
What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office?
The culmination of my experience—as a mother, attorney, policy advocate, public defender, PTA and nonprofit leader, business adviser and community member—prepares me to tackle the various issues facing MCPS and the board. My approach of employing efficient solution- oriented approaches to ensure equitable results and empower others as well as my experience engaging with stakeholders at all levels positions me to facilitate change and growth as needed.
What is the most important issue in this race? How do you plan to address it?
Closing the achievement gap is the most important issue because, ultimately, children go to school to learn but achieving this requires addressing other important issues such as 1) educator/staff pay, hiring and professional development; 2) school safety and behavior protocols; and 3) curriculum and extra-curricular options. I plan to advocate for sufficient funding and proven programs/curriculums; providing space for educator voices; and supporting schools, administrators and educators to meet their students where they are academically and behaviorally—rather than a one-size-fits-all approach—so students can receive focused attention and progress.
Transparency and accountability have been particularly challenging for the school system as shown by the recent sexual harassment scandal involving a former principal. How do you plan to help the school board rebuild trust with the school community?
I will help the school board rebuild trust with our community—students, families, educators, administrators, legislators and the public—by modeling the behavior the board should undertake. I will provide access to information in a timely fashion—not at the last minute or on Friday evenings after hours; hold virtual “Office Hours” weekly so the community can engage with me directly and ask questions or relay their thoughts; and engage in proper due diligence—looking into things; asking questions; and requesting additional information as needed—because I know it is our actions that build trust, not our words.
Do you have a child in the school system? What school do/did they attend and what grade?
Yes, grades two and four. My children attend elementary schools in the Bethesda-Chevy Chase cluster and previously attended a Spanish immersion community school in another MCPS cluster.
Are you an MCPS alumnus? Which school(s) did you attend? What year?
No.