Maya Payne Smart helps parents and educators nurture, teach, and advocate for children on the road to reading. Her debut book is Reading for Our Lives: A Literacy Action Plan from Birth to Six. Her website, MayaSmart.com, publishes new book lists, literacy activities, and other free family resources weekly to help parents play their dual roles as first teachers and educational advocates. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from the Medill School at Northwestern University and a bachelor’s in social studies with honors from Harvard University. She serves as affiliated faculty in Educational Policy and Leadership in the College of Education at Marquette University.

Her Bookish Life

In her career, she’s written hundreds of articles, including breaking news stories, book reviews, features, and op-eds for a wide range of publications. She’s addressed audiences ranging from 200 to 2,000 at conventions, commencements, and literary events.

Along the way, She’s interviewed NY Times bestselling authors like Zadie Smith, Jacqueline Woodson, Angie Thomas, Salman Rushdie, and Colson Whitehead; been a community fellow with the Center for Innovation in Race, Teaching, and Curriculum at the University of Texas; and served on the boards of book festivals, library foundations, and literacy initiatives.

Sample Presentations

How to Give Your Child a Smart Start
FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS

How to Engage Parents in Student Success from Day One
FOR TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, SCHOOL LIBRARIANS, AND PARENT EDUCATORS

Why America’s Reading Crisis Is Your Problem and What to Do About It
FOR BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS

What’s Your Story: How to Leverage Storytelling in Leadership
FOR BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS

Do Your Habits Match Your Expectations: How to Dream Big and Start Small
FOR LEADERS AND COLLEGE STUDENTS

The Power of One: Strategic Philanthropy and Service for Women
FOR BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS

Game Changers: How Women Build the Courage to Lead
FOR PARENTS, BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND COLLEGE STUDENTS

Website

Availability and Honorariums