During her first week as president of the Montgomery County Board of Education, Grace Rivera-Oven sat down with MCM to discuss her new role, priorities, and the goals she hopes to accomplish during her one-year term.
Born in Bolivia, Grace Rivera-Oven arrived in Montgomery County as a young immigrant, later graduating from Gaithersburg High School. She describes herself as a “product of MCPS.” “For me, this is a full-circle moment.” Today, she oversees a system of more than 156,000 students across 238 schools. It’s a system she describes as both “a gift” and “a tremendous responsibility.”
Among her priorities – improved collaboration among advocates, unions, staff and community groups to ensure a common mission. She wants every student to receive a high-quality education regardless of where they live in the county.
“I would like to achieve a sense of unity,” Rivera-Oven said. “Whether a student lives in Bethesda, the East County, or in Gaithersburg where I grew up, they should have the same opportunities.”
Acknowledging the county’s diversity is one of its biggest strengths. Rivera-Oven realizes it requires effort around communication, cultural understanding, and emotional support for both students and staff.
A background filled with experiences and triumphs
In her leadership role she remembers the challenges she faced while attending Gaithersburg High. Rivera-Oven spoke openly about her experience as one of five Latino students in her graduating class. She remembers facing discrimination, tokenism, and economic hardship. “Challenges make you the person that you are,” she reflected.
She also feels the added scrutiny that comes with being a Latina leader: “When you are a woman and an immigrant, you’re under a microscope. The expectations are higher.”
Over the years, even before stepping into her current role, she became a mentor to many young people and stayed involved in community issues. Serving on committees and commissions in Montgomery County, she was often the only Latina voice. Supporting students, especially those searching for a place to belong, became one of her top priorities.
A Focus on Safety, Bullying Prevention, and Community Responsibility
One of the issues Rivera-Oven describes as keeping her up at night is bullying and the concern among parents and caregivers across the county. By sharing her own experiences of being bullied when she was in school, she strongly believes restorative practices helped her turn a painful situation into a transformative one. But she stressed schools cannot shoulder the responsibility alone.
“It’s not just the school system’s responsibility,” she said. “Parents must teach tolerance, empathy, and how to put ourselves in other people’s shoes.”
She is committed to strengthening MCPS’s Code of Conduct and supporting efforts to foster a more respectful school culture.
Infrastructure and Funding Challenges
Another major priority is infrastructure and funding challenges, an issue grown more urgent as aging schools and HVAC systems strain limited resources.
“The need is enormous,” she said, citing examples such as Magruder High School, where replacing the HVAC alone could cost more than $30 million. With 200 plus schools and two new high schools opening next year, equitable investment is essential.
“Without funding, we only have Monopoly money,” she noted, calling on continued partnership with the County Council and Executive.
Her Leadership Vision
When asked what she hopes to achieve during her presidency, Rivera-Oven did not hesitate. “Every child that walks through our schools should feel welcome, that they belong and feel loved, and that they get an education no matter where they walk in,” she said.
She also emphasized supporting teachers, staff, and employees who carry much of the emotional and practical weight throughout the school day
MCPS, she added, has a long-standing reputation for excellence — one she is determined to preserve and strengthen.
