SMOB Update

July 6th, 2017, Matthew Post was sworn in as the 40th Student Member on the Board of Education (SMOB) of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). Matt, a rising senior at Sherwood High School, had been elected SMOB just over two months earlier. After a long, gritty campaign season, Matt defeated Alex Abrosimov with 62% of the vote. Now, Matt begins his term as SMOB. He made major promises on the campaign trail, and hopes to work with his fellow Board members, as well as the students of MCPS, to make progress that will define the county for years to come. Matt hopes his work will help set-in-stone a bright future for the students of MCPS. Many things can be learned about Matt from this interview, including his thoughts on being SMOB, plans on student outreach, and how he wants to be remembered:

Ronak Tallur: What are your thoughts on being the new SMOB?

Matt: “It is exciting and humbling; the scope of this job is humbling and overwhelming but I am ready to go to work for the 160,000 students of Montgomery County.”

Ronak: How to intend to fulfill your campaign promises?

Matt: “I’m going to work with all my colleagues, both at the Board table and our wonderful staff to lay the groundwork; even if we cannot get everything done in a year, we will have the groundwork for future SMOBs to deliver on those promises.”

Ronak: Student outreach is pivotal for a SMOB. That being said, how do you plan on reaching out to middle and high school students across the county?On

Matt: “I think communication in this job requires a unique approach. I’m going to make sure I continue updating my Twitter feed, my Snapchat feed, my Instagram feed with updates on the progress we’re making. I will upload highlights of my communications at the Board, simplifying the problems we are facing, as well as making sure I am getting in touch with students through the MCPSMD email network. On the other side, I am really going to prioritize face-to-face communication. I really believe that the most valuable communication there can be is when you and I are having a conversation and I’m understanding your concerns, your ideas, and your problems, right there in that moment.”

Ronak: Every leader, both student and adult, faces challenges. What do you believe is the greatest obstacle in your path of achieving what you intend to achieve.

Matt: “Well, that’s a great question! I think the hardest part of this job is the nature of it. You have a little less than twelve months to get things done…you are required to learn on the job. The biggest challenge that I face personally is making sure that I am balancing what I do as a student member, understanding what I’m talking about, communicating with the student body, delivering progress…creating change, and as well, just being a normal student, a high school student, a senior…which brings about some unique challenges!”

Ronak: What is your top priority as SMOB?

Matt: “My top priority is to ensure that every child can fulfill their potential…whether they want to graduate high school and go to a four year university, whether they want to have certification to go on to a job, whether they want to go to a two year community college…be a hairstylist or a chef: I believe that every child should be able to walk across the graduation stage and do what they want to do. Our school system should offer each child those opportunities.”

Ronak: How will you work with student government organizations like MCR and MCJC?

Matt: “I really believe in county student government, as I participated in it, myself. I will share at every MCR and MCJC meeting, give the monthly SMOB report, and work with those organizations in achieving their goals…I will play a collaborative role so that we can really make progress together.”

Ronak: At the end of your term, what do you want your legacy to be? What do you want to be remembered for?

Matt: “Well, that’s a really great question! I’d like to be remembered for really putting in the work to deliver on the progress we made as a county and student body. I’d like to be remembered as a SMOB that put in a real and genuine effort to put your priorities first. And I’d like to be remembered as a SMOB that really got things done…who expanded opportunities in the classroom, rooted our learning in the 21st century, expanded our use of technology. That’s how I’d like to be remembered as our 40th SMOB.”

Matt also emphasized the importance of almost full voting rights for the SMOB, rights which were secured in the last school year. He will serve on the Policy Committee, which decides the regulations that govern the daily activities of the school system. He plans to work with his fellow Board members by learning each of their plans, in order to achieve similar goals together. Matt intends to travel across the county, meeting with students in their schools and engaging in face-to-face conversations with them.

In conclusion, Matthew Post is a strong leader. He has been an advocate for students across Montgomery County for the past several years. Now, as SMOB, he hopes to work with Board members and students alike, to make changes that will positively impact the lives of middle and high school students for years to come. The role of SMOB is one that he does not take lightly, and he intends to work very hard, persevering through the challenges that modern leaders face to ensure a bright future for the students of this county.