District 4

Laura Stewart brings a lifelong commitment to public education, student well-being, and community service to her role on the Montgomery County Board of Education. Elected in 2024, she is known for her collaborative leadership style, deep roots in parent advocacy, and belief that every student deserves the opportunity to find their own path to success.

Raised on Bolling Air Force Base before moving to Bowie, Maryland, Laura learned early about resilience, adaptability, and the importance of belonging. As the daughter of educators—a Marine Band musician who later became a teacher and an elementary school teacher—she grew up with a deep appreciation for the role schools play in shaping lives and strengthening communities.

Laura attended the University of Maryland before earning an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies from Prince George’s Community College, where she graduated with honors. Her own educational journey reinforced a belief she continues to champion today: there is no single path to achievement, and students thrive when schools recognize and support their individual strengths, interests, and needs.

After working in the telecommunications industry, Laura chose to focus on raising her family and supporting young learners through music education and community service. As the mother of two MCPS graduates, she experienced firsthand the many different pathways students take through the school system. One son pursued advanced academic and magnet programs and is now working toward a graduate degree . in engineering, while the other followed a creative and technology-focused path and completed a Maryland Corps year of service.. These experiences strengthened her commitment to ensuring that all students—regardless of their goals, learning styles, or challenges—have access to meaningful opportunities.

Laura's advocacy work began at the local school level and expanded into county and statewide leadership. Over more than a decade of service, she has held leadership roles with the Woodlin Elementary School PTA, Montgomery County Council of PTAs (MCCPTA), Free State PTA, the Maryland Education Coalition, and numerous community organizations. Throughout her advocacy, she has focused on educational equity, student health, school accountability, and ensuring families from all backgrounds have a voice in decision-making.

Among the accomplishments she is most proud of are helping advance statewide efforts to strengthen lead-in-water standards for Maryland schools and advocating for improved indoor air quality measures in classrooms—work that has helped create healthier learning environments for students across the state.

Laura is also open about her own experiences with anxiety as a young person. Those experiences continue to inform her passion for student mental health and her belief that schools should be places where every child feels seen, supported, and empowered to succeed.

Outside of her Board service, Laura remains active in community initiatives focused on inclusion, youth leadership, and combating hate and bias. She serves as a mentor through Youth Creating Change, a program of Communities United Against Hate, and continues to support efforts that strengthen connections between schools, families, and communities.

Laura believes that public education works best when people come together in service of the common good. She is committed to listening, building partnerships, and helping Montgomery County Public Schools create environments where every student feels they belong and can thrive.