PARENT TO KNOW: Liz Monterrey

Liz Monterrey’s name likely looks familiar. You might have seen it plastered on signage all over Charlotte, or in the voting booth this past November where she made history as the first Latina elected to Charlotte Mecklenburg School Board.

Here, the mom, wife, and soon-to-be sworn in CMS at-large board member, talks student outcomes, fostering independence, and terrible haircuts.

Tell us about your family. How many children do you have and what are their ages?

We are a family of three, along with three dogs—yes, three dogs named Zoey, Jade, and Babygirl. Our son, Isaac, is five years old. We hope to expand our family in the future. 

Serving on the school board seems like a thankless job. What made you want to run?

Serving on the school board is both an honor and a privilege that I eagerly anticipate. I approach this role without expecting gratitude; rather, my motivation stems from a genuine desire to contribute to the future of our city and ensure the best possible outcomes for our students.

What is one thing you’d like to see change at CMS? 

I would like to see an improvement in student outcomes. 

Hardest part about being a mom?

It is a delicate balance between wanting to shield our child from everything and fostering his independence. It’s a constant juggling act—knowing when to let him figure things out on his own and when to step in.

Favorite part about being a mom?

My favorite part about being a parent is experiencing life through his eyes. It’s an incredibly rewarding and cool experience to witness the world anew through his perspective.

Biggest parenting fail to date?

He has had some pretty terrible haircuts—totally my fault for being cheap. But all jokes aside, I don’t consider anything in parenting a failure; it’s just a lesson.

Best parenting advice you have received?

The best parenting advice I’ve received is to be patient and to treat my child with the same respect I would give to an adult. It reminds me to foster a relationship built on understanding and communication.

Marriage advice for new parents?

Marriage advice for new parents would be to prioritize taking time for yourselves and not being too hard on each other. Remember that maintaining your relationship is crucial, and self-care for both partners contributes to a stronger foundation for parenting together.

Parenting support you could not live without?

The parenting support I couldn’t live without is the willingness to seek help when needed. Recognizing that we can’t do it all, I’m not afraid to hire assistance for household tasks like cleaning, laundry and organizing. It allows me to focus more on quality time and maintain a balanced family life.

Phase you feared your child would never grow out of?

Saying “don’t want it’ to every-thing. 

Favorite way to spend an unscheduled day with your kids in Charlotte? 

We love to go to the airport overlook and watch airplanes take off and land.

Favorite Charlotte restaurant?

We love Pizza Peel! 

What local amenity/retailer/service could you not live without?

I love WaveMax Laundry, they do our laundry and it is a huge help.