Maria Benzon - Ballotpedia

Dr. Maria Benzon – Three Penny Press

Maria is originally from Manila, Philippines and grew up in Houston. She has a bachelor's degree in mathematics and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Houston. She lives in the Bellaire area with her daughter.

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Maria is currently assistant director of assessment for the Universty of Houston-downtown. She previously worked as an assistant principal at Southwest Schools, a math teacher in San Antonio ISD, taught at Lawson Middle School, and served as a math specialist for the Madison High School feeder pattern. She also worked as a professor at the University of Houston and was an assistant principal focused on special education students and English language learners.

Maria Benzon previously ran for this seat in 2021 but did not win. 

Supports reducing the emphasis on standardized testing and increasing focus on projects and creative problem solving.

Believes decisions about Houston’s schools should be made by those who "know our students best," not by an "unelected board of managers with no accountability to the public."

- Supports reducing the emphasis on standardized testing and increasing focus on projects and creative problem solving.
- Believes decisions about Houston’s schools should be made by those who "know our students best," not by an "unelected board of managers with no accountability to the public."

School Curriculum

Supports funding schools based on enrollment rather than attendance to avoid losing funding when students miss class for illness or appointments.

Believes funding should prioritize classrooms over "bloated administrator salaries and bonuses."

Believes students need "engaging instruction, strong relationships, and classrooms led by certified, supported teachers."

- Supports funding schools based on enrollment rather than attendance to avoid losing funding when students miss class for illness or appointments.
- Believes funding should prioritize classrooms over "bloated administrator salaries and bonuses."
- Believes students need "engaging instruction, strong relationships, and classrooms led by certified, supported teachers."

School Facilities & Resources

As of October 13, 2025, Maria Benzon’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Student Wellbeing

Supports addressing the teacher shortage by improving pay, benefits, and professional development.

- Supports addressing the teacher shortage by improving pay, benefits, and professional development.

Teachers

Access to Education

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Maria Benzon

Maria Benzon's campaign for Houston Independent School District Member, District 5 is her first entry into politics. 

Maria Benzon is from Manila, Philippines. She has a bachelor's degree in mathematics and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Houston. She lives in the Bellaire area with her daughter.

Maria is an assistant principal at Southwest Schools. She previously worked as a math teacher in San Antonio ISD, taught at Lawson Middle School, and served as a math specialist for the Madison High School feeder pattern. She also worked as a professor at the University of Houston and was an assistant principal focused on special education students and English language learners.

Maria's campaign for Houston Independent School District Member, District V is her first entry into politics. 

Buket Urgen

Said, "I am dedicated to helping all students learn."

Supports addressing the COVID-19 academic gap through equitable education, wraparound services, and restorative practices.

Robbie McDonough (Texas) - Ballotpedia

Mr. Robbie McDonough

Robbie was born in Houston, Texas. He earned a bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist University in 2004 and a law degree from the South Texas College of Law in 2008. He has three kids in the Houston Independent School District and has been affiliated with St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas.

Robbie is a trial attorney with Webster Vicknair MacLeod.

Robbie McDonough's run for election to the Houston Independent School District to represent District 5 in Texas is his entry into politics.

Believes declining enrollment reflects families' trust in their schools, and district leaders must improve the curriculum to ensure it is "accurate, rigorous, and engaging."

- Believes declining enrollment reflects families' trust in their schools, and district leaders must improve the curriculum to ensure it is "accurate, rigorous, and engaging."

Supports restoring transparency by communicating the board's vision, setting measurable goals, and ensuring timely, accurate data for parents, educators, taxpayers, and community leaders.

- Supports restoring transparency by communicating the board's vision, setting measurable goals, and ensuring timely, accurate data for parents, educators, taxpayers, and community leaders.

Believes every campus should be a welcoming place where students are eager to learn and parents are confident in their children’s education.

- Believes every campus should be a welcoming place where students are eager to learn and parents are confident in their children’s education.

Believes teachers are essential to student success and that stability is needed for consistent instruction and strong school culture.

Believes the biggest issue facing the district is the retention of teachers, principals, and administration.

- Believes teachers are essential to student success and that stability is needed for consistent instruction and strong school culture.
- Believes the biggest issue facing the district is the retention of teachers, principals, and administration.

As of October 13, 2025, Robbie McDonough did not have a website or any information online.

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Robbie McDonough

Robbie McDonough was born in Houston, Texas. He earned a bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist University in 2004 and a law degree from the South Texas College of Law in 2008. He has three kids in the Houston Independent School District. He has been affiliated with St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas.

- Believes teachers are essential to student success and that stability is needed for consistent instruction and strong school culture.

Robbie McDonough was born in Houston, Texas. He earned a bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist University in 2004 and a law degree from the South Texas College of Law in 2008. He has been affiliated with St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas.

Robbie McDonough is running for election to the Houston Independent School District to represent District 5 in Texas. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.

Robbie McDonough is running for election to the Houston Independent School District to represent District V in Texas. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.

Supports empowering educators by giving principals and teachers the autonomy to make decisions for their students.

ISD Trustee

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School Curriculum

School Facilities & Resources

Student Wellbeing

Teachers

Access to Education