Meg Ricks

Here are my remarks from New Educator Orientation:

Good morning! I'm so excited to be here with you today. I am Meg Ricks and by day, during the school year, I am a teachers' assistant at a cooperative preschool in Columbia. By afternoon, evening, weekends, and various other times of day and night, I serve as one of your board of education members in the district one seat.
I feel so fortunate to have two jobs that I love- that allow me to discuss, read about, think about, and put into practice principles of learning and teaching and to be part of a greater team that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of young people.
I have no doubt that I am in very good company today in a room full of people passionate about education and the crucial role it plays in the wellbeing and success of generations. The work you are embarking on, I would argue, is the most important work there is.
In recent years, an already challenging work has become more so, with the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, increased behavioral and mental health challenges, as well as uncertainty in federal policy and funding. The conventional wisdom may say now is not a good time to be an educator or to work in the schools, but now is the time when this work is most vital.
Thank you for stepping up and bringing your energy, your training, your creativity, your heart, your experience, your talent, and your desire to do good. Know that you are not alone. You are part of that greater team. We are here to support you.
I'm sure you will be hearing more about the strategic plan and mission and vision of our school system. It guides our decision making as a board as we strive to be a "GREAT" school system for every student.
The board has a mission statement as well. It is to "Provide leadership for excellence in teaching and learning by fostering a climate for deliberate change through policy, budget, and community engagement."
I have one more mission statement to share with you today and that is the PTA mission statement. "To make every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children."
The common thread is the successful education of our young people supported by advocacy and decision making that provides educators and educational support staff what they need to do this work. The team also includes families, leaders, and the wider community.
As both a Girl Scout leader and PTA leader for many years and working daily with parents in the classroom at our preschool, I know that sometimes the grown-ups can be more challenging to work with than the children. However, there are many that want to know how they can support and reinforce the learning happening at school. Every year, many step up to join us in advocating to our state and county leaders for our needs. In Howard County, our schools are our jewel and many in the community deeply value and want to support our continued success even if they do not have children in HCPSS.
I closing, I want to share some hopes I have for this year. I hope that each of you have mentors and leaders that help you develop and grow. I hope that you feel successful and find joy. I also hope that you get the opportunity to know the impact you have.
(this was the end of my written remarks and the rest is my best recollection of what I said)
As I was preparing what I was going to say today, I looked through notes I got from my students over the years for some inspiration. I found two that I wanted to share with you. They're short because they're from preschoolers.
"Dear Miss Meg, Thank you for teaching me how to make fires on camping day. And I also like that you taught me not to touch fires." Don't worry guys, it was a pretend fire. That one just made me chuckle.
"Miss Meg you're a great teacher. I love you! Miss Meg I love you as much as the sun warms you!"
I thought that was a great message, so I'm going to borrow it. This year, I hope that you also feel our love and support as much as the sun warms you!

Recapping year one on the board- June to August.
June started with the final days of the fy26 budget process and the most challenging decisions we had to make. I lost my appetite from the stress and about ten pounds. It was a very stressful time for everyone. In the midst of that, I was very happy to attend the SECAC Gladiator Awards- celebrating educators who were selected by students receiving special education services and their families. I was very happy to see someone celebrated who I get to work with in my day job as well. I also was happy to attend the HCPSS retirement celebration. I was very happy that no one threw anything or booed me when I attended events during the heat of final budget votes. We had a joint meeting with the county council. I was a judge at Simulated Congressional Hearing at Hollofield Station and got to be in a group with our student board member. At our meeting on the 12th, we had people in to celebrate the teacher and principal of the year and then to protest our budget cuts. We had our board retreat the next day. I wouldn't recommend scheduling it that way in the future. I attended small group meetings on redistricting in June and July. We had our Audit committee meeting in June and I also attended a MABE training. We honored our outgoing student member of the board, James Obasiolu at our last meeting in June
July had fewer board meetings but still several other meetings. The preliminary redistricting plans dropped before our meeting on the 17th and I had my first time being escorted into the building while people screamed at me. What they didn't yet know was that none of us were pleased with the preliminary plans either. At the end of the month I got to tour the ARL construction project and my daughter got to tag along since we had to head straight from there to a prospective student event at UMD.
August kicked off the new school year. I enjoyed the opportunity to speak at the opening of new educator orientation. I also enjoyed attending the beginning of the school year kickoff with school administrators the next day and then being a part of the lunch for new educators. I brought some school supplies to help "stuff the bus" at the annual event. At our August Board Meeting, our new student member of the board, Erin Allistar was sworn in. I ended the first day of school for students at the PTACHC meeting- my first as the official BOE rep. Later in the week I got to visit Wilde Lake High School and the Rouse Theater. On that Friday I got to visit Swansfield, Bryant Woods, and Longfellow Elementaries, stop at central office for an ice cream party and then visit Ellicott Mills Middle.

Graduation 2025! In May I attended Long Reach and Hammond High School graduations and got to speak and hand out diplomas at Centennial and Howard High School graduations. Photos not taken by me are from either the HCPSS flickr or Howard County Government flickr.
The main portion of my graduation speeches:
Today we reflect on all you have learned and achieved during your time in Howard County Schools and we welcome you to the next exciting phase of your lives.
I’ve been thinking a lot about what to share with you today. I have two quick stories.
During my first year of college, I attended a pep rally kicking off the basketball season. Sometime later, while walking to class, I crossed paths with the star of the basketball team. I had never met this young man before. I only knew who he was from the pep rally. For some reason, the following went through my head: ‘Oh that’s the star of the basketball team. He probably thinks he’s all that and that he’s so cool.’ Now as these thoughts were running through my head, they were also running across my face. People tend to notice when someone is looking at them, and he did. He saw me looking at him, saw recognition, his face fell, and he returned my scowl. All of this happened in just a few seconds as we crossed paths. In my immaturity, his reaction seemed to justify my impression of him. I am embarrassed to say that this exchanging of glares continued over at least a couple of days. Eventually, it dawned on me how dumb the whole situation was. I had started this negativity for no good reason and so I stopped.
Many years later, on my way home from work, I stopped at the local fast casual bakery chain to get a fountain drink that I ordered on the app. My cup wasn’t on the shelf, so I had to ask someone at the counter for it, but in my haste, I didn’t notice that another woman was waiting to ask about her mobile order as well. I could tell she was irritated with me and I felt bad. I didn’t want to be the reason for one more aggravation in someone’s life. I decided then to slow down and take the time to notice those around me. I made it a point to hold doors open for others and the result has been many small positive interactions.
Now you may not think you have much of an impact on the world, but every single day, each one of us takes part in shaping society and the world around us. The energy you bring has tangible, rippling effects. At a time when meanness and cruelty are not just accepted but often heralded, choosing kindness can seem almost revolutionary. Growing up in a neighborhood that wasn’t always safe, toughness and bravado were de rigueur. It took me many years to learn the true power and positive impact of kindness in my life and in my ability to be the kind of leader that inspired others to join me in doing good.
As you go out into the world and pursue your dreams, I hope that you will not fall into the trap of assuming the worst of others, that you will keep your eyes open to those around you and see the needs that you can help meet. I hope that you will remember to be kind to yourselves as well. All the wonderful people out in the audience today, all of us up on this stage, all those watching online, and even more, we will all be rooting you on.

More photos from the last post.

Recapping year one on the board: March-May (but graduation will get its own post).
After many hours of budget work sessions and public hearings, in March we voted on a budget request to send to the county. In March and April I attended theater shows at all three of my cluster high schools. I attended the announcement of the future Elkridge Community Center site, Autism in the park day at Blandair, and the very exciting Battle of the Books. I attended the Guilford Park High School National PTA Grant event and I also got to help celebrate the graduates of the Multilingual Parent Leadership Program. I participated in my first Coffee and Conversation as a board member. May brought Simulated Congressional Hearing which I judged at Hanover Hills as well as the Blue Ribbon School Celebration at Worthington. My husband joined me attending an ocarina concert. I also visited the HCPSS Teacher Networking Fair, which had a great turnout despite rainy weather. Meanwhile, the budget process continued with more meetings and hearings, including our visits with the county council and many stressful days trying to figure out how to bridge the gap in an already very lean budget. I lost about 10 pounds during this time, but unfortunately found them again later.

Recapping year one on the Board: December-February
In December, in addition to regular meetings, a joint meeting with the county council, orientation-type meetings, and some small group meetings to catch up on initiatives in progress, I had my first Audit Committee (now Finance and Audit Committee) meeting and was elected chair of the committee. I also had my first community event, the ribbon cutting for the Giving Machine at the Mall in Columbia. The Bright Minds Foundation was one of the charities selected to be part of the program in 2024. I had the honor of attending some wonderful music performances including the WBAL Concert for Kids at OMHS and the MRHS Chamber Orchestra Concert preview of their Midwest Clinic performance. I also participated in the GPHS Reindeer Run 5K.
In January I began my stint as the Board's representative on the County's spending affordability advisory committee as a non-voting member. I attended the League of Women Voters' Legislative breakfast, the county Martin Luther King Day Commission celebration, and the Maryland Association of Board of Education new board members orientation. I also had my first board member school visits to Waterloo and Ilchester Elementary Schools. My first operating budget season as a board member began with the superintendent's budget presentation, our first work sessions, and first public hearing. Near the end of the month I had the wonderful opportunity to celebrate Lunar New Year at the county celebration at the mall and at the Howard County Chinese School's Food Festival and Performance Gala.
In February I attended MABE legislative day in Annapolis. I also attended the Howard County Association of Student Council's general assembly meeting with a packed room full of students who had a lot of questions about the changes we had voted in regarding cellphone policy. We also initiated the process for an elementary school focused boundary adjustment and had many other meetings including our deliberations on our budget request to send to the county.

The Homewood Center supports students from every middle and high school in Howard county and we can support them by donating to their annual Holiday Treasure Sale. See the flier below for details or visit
https://hc.hcpss.org/news/2025/2025-11/2025-homewood-treasure-sale-creating-blizzard-kindness-2004

Today marks one year since I was sworn in as a member of the Howard County Board of Education. I am hoping to share some posts over the next few days highlighting my first year. Today I would like to share some photos and my remarks from that day. The video is here: https://hcpsstv.v3.swagit.com/videos/321484

Text of my remarks:
“Thank you” seems hardly adequate to express my deep gratitude to all those who had a hand in getting me here today. I am so humbled by your support and your trust. It truly takes a village to run a successful campaign or even an unsuccessful one, and I want to especially thank those who supported me ‘before it was cool’ and those who encouraged me to try again after coming in last in 2022. Thank you to those who shared your time and expertise and thank you to those who stepped outside your comfort zones to do things like knocking doors, electioneering, or making campaign donations. The enthusiastic support of members of the communities I have served in and those who know me and my advocacy work filled my heart.
I know the essential role public education plays in changing lives. I grew up on the southside of Chicago in a family that frequently struggled to make ends meet. At multiple times, I was a recipient of free and reduced price meals at school. For me and many of my peers, public school was the place for opportunity. Our dedicated teachers went above and beyond to bring us access to enriching activities in and outside of school. School volleyball teams were my access to sports. High school orchestra classes were my music lessons. A community partnership with my AP English class allowed me to see plays brought to life by professionals on the stage.
I was always very aware of the generosity that allowed me to participate in these and other opportunities and I always knew that I wanted to pay that generosity forward.
As a parent, I left my first PTA meeting a PTA board member and never quit. I stepped up to do the important things no one else wanted to do. I served for five years as a PTA president and built community in person, online during a worldwide pandemic, and back in person again - helping to build a new community out of multiple at our new high school. I’ve fed and entertained 1000s of people over the years at many events but more importantly, I learned how to advocate for the needs of our schools and all children.
I have been fortunate to be able to support the good work of many organizations serving our community. In twelve years as a Girl Scout troop leader, I had the privilege of working with dozens of scouts. Six years ago, I brought my troop to this very room to watch me testify at a public hearing as we learned about local government. To my scouts- I want you to know you inspire me with the good that you do. You have embraced the call to make the world a better place. I want to especially thank those of you who helped with my campaign. As high school juniors now, the time you have left in HCPSS is short. You personify the urgent need to act now to address the challenges faced by students who are in our schools today.
I am also fortunate to work in the classroom with many future HCPSS students. My current preschoolers represent the high school classes of 2038, 2039, and 2040, respectively. If any of your are watching, I want to tell you how proud I am of how much you have grown in just a few months of school! Your adorable faces make those very futuristic sounding years much more real to me. I promise to work very hard to help this board make the best decisions to prepare our schools for the future, your future, and for the children who will come to school after you as well.
To my fellow district one residents, thank you for your votes. I commit to raising the unique issues we face and working with my colleagues to address them. To all stakeholders throughout the county, I commit to doing all that I can to help our school system be the best it can be for every student. I know we have much work to do, and I am ready. I will listen to all sides and seek out multiple perspectives. I will always do my best to be fair and transparent. I look forward to working with the Board, our educators, and all other staff. Thank you for your warm welcomes.
Finally, I want to thank my family, those watching from home, and here today- my husband Bob, and children Jaide, Kiree, and Luke. Without your support, I could not do what I do. Thank you for being willing to share me with the county.

Registration for the final public hearing on redistricting closes at 4:30 today. If you have input but cannot testify, please send us an email by tonight. In summary, the only elementary moves under consideration would move some current students from BWES to either LoES, RBES, or SwES and the only middle school moves under consideration could move some areas currently assigned to HCMS but which can walk to HCMS or WLMS to WLMS to address a new feed pattern. More details and link to register for the hearing are on this page:

Redistricting Update; Additional Public Hearing Scheduled for Nov. 20, 2025 At its Nov. 13 Redistricting Work Session, the Howard County Board of Education voted to move forward with two preliminary plans for final consideration as part of the boundary review process for the 2026-2027 school year. Details of the preliminary plans, including maps, are available on the BoardD...

I have to attend Thursday's meeting virtually since I will be out of town helping a family member, so please enjoy this photo from last spring when Quackers the duck from my preschool accompanied me to a board meeting.
Registration to speak at the redistricting hearing closes at 4:30 on Wednesday. https://forms.gle/SsDTtBaCxpVWGcB96

I saw that it is National Library Card Sign-Up Month and Howard County Library System is inviting people to share photos of their library card, no matter how old. I just so happen to have my very first library card that I believe I got in kindergarten and my very first Howard County library card which I got very shortly after moving here 21 years ago and still use. Libraries are so important and we are so fortunate to have really amazing ones here in HoCo!

Congratulations to the Long Reach Highschool class of 2025!
https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ-vfaTugxH/?igsh=emlmdGN6cGExNG4w

Congratulations Long Reach Class of 2025!