We recently invited the candidates running for local office in the Nov. 4 General Election to write a post about why Arlington residents should vote for them. Find information on how and where to vote here.
Below is the unedited response from Monique “Moe” Bryant, who is running for School Board.
Fellow Arlingtonians –
I am honored to be a candidate for Arlington School Board, endorsed by many community leaders as well as the Arlington Democrats. I ask for your support and vote on or before Tuesday, November 4th.
Serving children and families is a critical responsibility, and it’s not one I take lightly. I believe it takes grace, advocacy for all, and a willingness to truly listen to make a lasting impact.
Our community needs a leader for Arlington Public Schools whose core values are grounded in empathy, engagement, and excellence. As an APS parent and community leader, I’ve seen what happens when we listen deeply, build trust, and work together toward our shared goal: ensuring that every student, educator, staff member, and family feels valued and empowered.
Our community is strong, but we face real challenges. Teachers and staff are stretched thin. Families are navigating competing demands and communication gaps. Students are balancing academics with the social and emotional pressures of growing up in a complex world. These challenges are connected; and they deserve a School Board that leads with transparency and accountability, with both practical experience and vision for our schools.
Like so many Arlingtonians here, I see our schools as the heart of our community. Our schools are where friendships form, where teachers shape futures, and where we come together around a shared belief that every child deserves the chance to thrive. I’m running because I want to make that promise real for every APS student, educator, and staff member.
As a mom of one APS special education graduate and a current APS middle school student, and as a school volunteer, school bond campaign co-chair, and community non-profit volunteer-turned-leader, I understand our school system and the importance of a community that supports it. Over the years, I’ve worked in both the private and the nonprofit sector — as a leader, advisor, and advocate. Those experiences have taught me that systems thrive when people feel seen, heard, and supported. I want to bring that same people-centered approach to APS.
If elected, I will focus on three priorities that reflect what I’ve heard from our community:
Every student deserves to feel valued. Empathy is not a soft skill; it is the foundation for academic and emotional growth. When students are met with understanding, they are more likely to stay engaged, persevere through challenges, and reach their potential.
As a community, we must continue to support the whole child; academically, socially, and emotionally, to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed. This means recognizing that recovery from the pandemic continues, and many students still need stability, encouragement, and connection. Our schools should be places where belonging is nurtured and every learner knows they matter. APS can operate with empathy by:
- Collaborating with community leaders and partners,
- Supporting our students’ and staff’s social-emotional well-being, and
- Protecting our values in uncertain times.
True engagement begins with listening. When families, staff, and students are invited to shape decisions from the start, outcomes are stronger and trust deepens. APS has several valuable tools for engagement from the Your Voice Matters survey to open office hours and community dialogues, but often these come too late in the process.
We can do better by creating opportunities for authentic, early participation that values every perspective. Engagement should not be a one-way information campaign but a shared process of building understanding and direction together.
My priorities for better engagement include:
- Increasing access so all can participate meaningfully, and
- Strengthening communication to ensure clear, timely, and equitable information.
Our commitment to excellence requires investment in both innovation and equity. That means expanding early learning opportunities, advancing inclusive classrooms, and ensuring our educators are valued and competitively compensated. It also means thinking creatively about how to sustain excellence through fiscal responsibility and environmental stewardship.
We will achieve excellence by:
- Expanding Pre-K access so all children can begin from a place of strength,
- Positioning APS as a regional leader in teacher and staff pay,
- Delivering a high-quality education that builds the next generation of leaders, and
- Stabilizing our school budget through creative, community-informed solutions.
When we lead with empathy, deepen engagement, and pursue excellence with equity at the center, we build schools that truly serve every child. Together, we can ensure APS remains a place where all students, staff and families have the opportunity to thrive.
I would be honored to earn your vote in this election. Visit www.moeforschoolboard.com to learn more about my vision and how you can get involved.
Thank you for your consideration and the trust you place in our community’s future.
