What’s the job: Sets policy, hires the school system superintendent and approves the district budget. Some boards are fully elected, some are fully appointed and some are a blend of both. Terms vary by district.

Name: Wylea Chase

Wylea Chase.
Wylea Chase. (Paul Scott)

Age: 53

Personal: I am a married, mother of 4 former and current MCPS students; ages 35, 27, 16 and 14. My family have been Montgomery County residents since moving here in September 1998. My ties in the Montgomery County community are vast, spanning over 27 years. I have advocated for equity in education for youth, families and educators well before our move to this County; my advocacy increased and became even more intentional almost immediately upon arrival as our oldest son entered 3rd grade here.

Education: My Bachelors of Art degree in Psychology is from Marymount College, Tarrytown, NY. Montgomery College was an all-women’s college and is now a part of the Fordham University system and is aptly named Fordham University. Although Fordham is a great university, my degree is from and lists (proudly) Marymount College.

Experience: My current professional role is Senior Director, Collaborative Impact with Leadership Montgomery. I ended my role (due to funding, unfortunately) as the Chief Operations Officer and Community Engagement with the Black and Brown Coalition for Educational Equity and Excellence in June 2025. I am also a Board Member with Pride Youth Services, am an NAACP Parent Council Rep (Seneca Valley HS) am a member of the MCCPTA DEI Committee and Curriculum Committee, current member of the MCPS Programs Analysis Team and MCPS Boundary Studies Committee, a member of the African Affairs Advisory Group (AAAG), Maryland Alliance for Race Equity in Education (MAREE) member, as well as a whole host of other volunteer roles serving our MCPS students, their families and our educators.

Questionnaire

Name: Brenda M. Diaz

Brenda M. Diaz
Brenda M. Diaz. (Clay Blackmore)

Age: 49

Personal: I am a Georgetown University School of Foreign Service graduate, a bilingual educator, a City of Gaithersburg resident, and a mother of three daughters — one at Montgomery College, one at Quince Orchard High School, and one in the 5th grade. Raising them as a single mother, I understand firsthand what Montgomery County families face when MCPS fails to deliver the education our children deserve and that our taxes are supposed to fund.

My career has taken me from nursery schools and parent cooperatives to private schools in D.C., public high schools, including Gaithersburg High School, and my own outdoor farm and forest program for homeschooled children. I am a James Madison Fellow, a Buchwald Fellow, a two-time National Endowment for the Humanities Landmark participant, and was trained by Harvard Business School’s Case Method Project.I am also a former Gaithersburg & Wootton JV Softball Coach and a former MCEA building representative. I know this community. I know these schools. I know what is at stake from my own personal, hands-on experience.

Education: Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service. Bachelor’s of Science in International Relations. Major: International Politics. Minor: Latin American Studies.

George Washington University, Master’s in Education. Major: Secondary Education, Social Studies.

Experience: I currently teach Middle and High School Social Studies at Fusion Global Academy, where I work with students across multiple grade levels in U.S. History and Government. I am also the Founder and Director of Heart of Joy Learning, a farm and forest outdoor education program for homeschooled elementary-age children in Montgomery County. Previously, I spent seven years as an MCPS classroom teacher at Gaithersburg High School teaching U.S. History, Government, and Social Studies, where I also served as an MCEA building representative and coached JV Softball. I later coached JV Softball at Thomas S. Wootton High School. I served on the Maryvale Elementary School PTA Cultural Arts Committee. In 2017 and 2018, I tutored high school students, many of them recent immigrants and English language learners, at Family Life Services in Gaithersburg, helping them pass required U.S. History, World History, Government and English courses to meet graduation requirements. Earlier in my career I taught Spanish and served as Curriculum Coordinator at a progressive private school in Washington D.C, presenting the curriculum I created at regional language conferences.

I am a James Madison Memorial Fellow, a nationally competitive honor awarded by an Act of Congress to outstanding teachers of American history and government. Fellows are selected through a rigorous application process and funded to pursue a master’s degree with a focus on the United States Constitution and its foundations, deepening both content mastery and civic literacy in the classroom. I am also a Buchwald Fellow, two-time National Endowment for the Humanities Landmark participant, and a Harvard Business School Case Method Project graduate. In 2024 I ran for the Montgomery County Board of Education District 2 seat, earning 42.7% of the vote as a first-time, union-free candidate. I learned more about this school system in that campaign than in any classroom. Since then I have channeled everything I learned into concrete action, in particular, building the Success Toolkit on diazforboe.com, a research-based resource library for teachers, parents, students, administrators, and board members grounded in evidence-based best practices. That research drives every position I hold. On day one, it drives every decision I make for the children and families of Montgomery County.

Questionnaire

Name: Omar Lazo

Omar Lazo.
Omar Lazo. (Omar Lazo for BOE)

Age: 49

Personal: I am married with three daughters who attend Montgomery County Public Schools, and we share our home with two dogs. My family is at the center of everything I do, and being a parent in MCPS gives me a direct, everyday understanding of the challenges and opportunities our students and families face.

I am the son of Salvadoran immigrants who came to this region seeking opportunity, and I’ve lived and worked in Montgomery County for over 30 years. My family started the first Salvadoran restaurant n the Maryland, and as a small business owner, I’ve spent decades serving our community, creating jobs, and supporting local families.Beyond my business, I have been deeply involved in community leadership, serving on multiple boards and working with organizations focused on education, workforce development, and economic opportunity. I’ve built strong relationships across our diverse communities and have always believed in bringing people together to solve problems.My personal and professional experiences have shaped my commitment to service, equity, and ensuring every child in our community has the opportunity to succeed.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in General Business and Management from the R.H. Smith School of Business at University of Maryland, College Park.

I have continued my professional development through national conferences, including the Association of Community College Trustees and the National Association of Workforce Development Boards, focusing on governance, education policy, and workforce systems. I also completed the Leadership Montgomery CORE Program, which brings together executives from across the county to collaborate on community challenges and solutions.

Experience: I currently serve on the Montgomery College Board of Trustees (2020–Present), where I help oversee governance, budgets, and long-term planning for a major public institution. I also serve as Chair of the Montgomery County Workforce Development Board (2018–Present), leading efforts to align education with career pathways and strengthen partnerships with employers. In the business community, I am President of the Wheaton & Kensington Chamber of Commerce (2005–Present), advocating for small businesses and economic development, and Founder and President of the Montgomery County Latino Restaurant Association. I was a founding member of the Black and Brown Coalition for Educational Equity and Excellence which has been a strong advocate in education for our underserved communities. I also served on the board of The UpCounty Hub (2022–2025), supporting efforts to address food insecurity. Professionally, I have been a small business owner for over 30 years, managing a family-owned restaurant and overseeing operations, finances, and staff. Earlier in my service, I was a member of the Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee, where I advised on redevelopment and community planning.

Questionnaire

Name: Tiffany E. Wicks

Candidate did not respond to The Banner’s voter guide questionnaire.