Editor’s note: MoCo360 is running profiles of school board candidates based on questionnaire answers they submitted for our 2024 voters guide. This story, originally published Oct. 22 at 4:19 p.m. was updated Oct. 23, 3:37 p.m. to include additional information.
Newcomers Brenda Diaz, an online private school teacher who formerly taught at Gaithersburg High School, and Natalie Zimmerman, a teacher at Wheaton Woods Elementary School, are the two candidates running for an open District 2 seat on the Montgomery County Board of Education.
Diaz and Zimmerman are two of six candidates competing for three school board seats in the Nov. 5 general election. Incumbent Shebra Evans and Laura Stewart are vying for the District 4 seat and board Vice President Lynne Harris and local attorney Rita Montoya are competing for the at-large seat.
School board elections are nonpartisan and board members serve four-year terms. The school board is divided into five geographic district seats, as well as the two at-large seats. To run for a district seat, candidates must live in the district they are running to represent. However, all voters in the county may vote for candidates representing each district regardless of where the voter lives.
In the at-large race, Diaz and Zimmerman moved on to the general election after winning the most votes out of the six candidates who ran in the May 14 primary – beating out current school board member Rebecca Smondrowski. Zimmerman received about 46.6% of the vote and Diaz received about 20.6%, according to the Maryland State Board of Elections.
In a traditionally nonpartisan race, Diaz’s candidacy has sparked interest from the Republican and Democratic parties because of her views.
According to the Montgomery County school board ethics policy, a person can’t be an MCPS employee and serve on the board. If Zimmerman were to win the seat, she would have to resign from her position as a teacher.
Early voting begins Thursday and runs through Oct. 31. Polling sites will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information on local races and coverage of election forums, check out the MoCo360 2024 Voters Guide.
Here are the candidates:
Brenda Diaz
City/town of residence: Gaithersburg
Date of birth: None provided
Current occupation and employer: teacher at Fusion Global Academy, founder of Heart of Joy Learning
Political experience: None
Why are you running for this office?
I am running because my life’s purpose is dedicated to providing children with a rich, safe and thriving learning environment. With over 20 years of experience as a teacher, I advocate for students, families and teachers within Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). I bring the courage and commitment to hold the school board, superintendent, and MCPS central office accountable for upholding their promise of excellence. I will ask critical questions, have tough conversations, and drive solutions for academic success in MCPS, ensuring every child receives the education they deserve to flourish in today’s world.
What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office?
I bring a wealth of knowledge and insight necessary to rebuild the foundation of academic excellence in MCPS. With over 20 years of teaching experience across various educational settings, from the pre-kindergarten classroom at a cooperative nursery school to a public high school, as a Spanish teacher to social studies, substitute to curriculum coordinator at a private progressive school in Washington, D.C., from ESOL to AP, and even as a Montgomery County Education Association building representative at Gaithersburg High School, my understanding of different populations positions me to collaborate effectively with students, parents and teachers.
What is the most important issue in this race? How do you plan to address it?
The safety of our children while they are in the care of our schools is the most important issue in this race. With rising crime across the county and the number of serious incidents of bullying, harassment, and violence reported in our schools rising, we must ensure that our schools provide the protection our students deserve so that they can focus on their learning. I will bring back our school resource officers, supporting administrators across MCPS who unequivocally sought to retain the program in a letter directed to the Board of Education on Dec. 1, 2020. Our school resource officers build relationships with students, parents, teachers and the greater community. I want them to continue the important work of creating a safe environment for our students, teachers and administrators.
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 am committed to fostering transparent communication with the superintendent, ensuring accountability for achieving our academic excellence goals. Through regular weekly meetings, I’ll establish clear expectations and benchmarks, openly shared with the public, to guide our progress. I’ll institute policies for oversight, monitoring financial matters, hiring practices, and addressing misconduct promptly. Additionally, I’ll facilitate open forums with teachers, visit classrooms, and extend time for community engagement during school board meetings. By implementing these measures and working collaboratively with the board, we’ll ensure timely resolution of concerns and maintain focus on our mission of academic advancement in MCPS.
Do you have a child in the school system? What school do/did they attend and what grade?
All three of my children were at some point enrolled in MCPS. My eldest graduated from Poolesville High School and participated in the Humanities magnet program in that school. She currently attends Montgomery College and is a history major. My middle daughter is a sophomore at Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg, where she plays softball. Finally, my youngest attended Fields Road Elementary School in Gaithersburg her kindergarten year.
Are you an MCPS alumnus?
I am not an MCPS alumnus. However, I completed my student-teacher practicum at Ridgeview Middle School in Gaithersburg, ultimately teaching social studies at Gaithersburg High School for seven years.
Natalie Zimmerman
City/town of residence: Rockville
Date of birth: Nov. 22, 1995
Current occupation: MCPS second-grade teacher at Wheaton Woods Elementary School
Political experience: bachelor’s degree in international studies and political science; former campaign staff for Gretchen Driskell for Congress
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for this office because I believe in taking action. Throughout my time in MCPS, I have seen the system fail students and educators alike. Montgomery County Public Schools has some of the greatest potential in the country to provide the highest quality public education possible to every single child – no matter their race, gender, socio-economic status, or otherwise. As an MCPS teacher, I have taken action on behalf of students and my fellow educators to capitalize on our potential and stop foundering our students’ futures. I am running so I can speak from the classroom and into policy.
What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office?
I have taught in MCPS for five years. I know the system from one of its most crucial points of success, which makes me extremely qualified to speak from it. I believe I am a competitive candidate not only because I am experienced as a teacher, but because I come with the experiences of a teacher. I know how to balance an absurdly high number of demands at once and meet the needs of many with few resources. I know hard work because I work like a teacher. I am committed to work hard for the students and educators of MCPS.
What is the most important issue in this race? How do you plan to address it?
I find the budget to be an important issue in this race. I believe that MCPS must first fund the contract with the Montgomery County Education Association. Contractual agreements must be upheld – especially as MCPS looks to increase transparency and trust. Next, the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future must be our guiding force in what is chosen to be funded. While the Blueprint does paint broad strokes, the school board must not just fit current practices into the pillars, but instead be willing to abandon projects and initiatives that are not meeting success measures as hoped and choose to fund new opportunities for educators and students.
Transparency and accountability have been particularly challenging for the school system as shown by the recent sexual harassment scandal involving a former MCPS principal. How do you plan to help the school board rebuild trust with the school community?
Rebuilding trust with the community – including educators – is of utmost importance. Without the accountability to constituents that the Board of Education holds, the superintendent can easily become swayed and follow their own interests. I would advocate for the Board of Education to have their own staff that is independent of MCPS staff. MCPS bringing critical information to the board allows for misrepresentation of data and fact. Additionally, the board should be sure to follow through with commitments as delivering on obligations will improve trust. The board must allow for feedback from stakeholders across the county and err on the side of over-communication.
Do you have a child in the school system?
I do not presently have my own child in MCPS schools, but I have had the privilege to teach and nurture many students that now attend and have attended schools across Montgomery County public schools, including Summit Hall Elementary School, Rosemont Elementary School, Mill Creek Towne Elementary School, Wheaton Woods Elementary School, Forest Oak Middle School and others.
Are you an MCPS alumnus?
I am not an MCPS alumnae, but all of my educational experiences in teaching and learning have been in public schools and universities.
