Maya's Favorites, Parent-School Partnership, Personal Development, Community . By Laila Weir | April 14 , 2025

Substitute Teaching as a Meaningful Side Hustle for Parents: Give Back and Make Money on Your Schedule

Looking for flexible work during school hours? Substitute teaching can be a great part-time job for parents—plus a way to

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Maya's Favorites, Kids Books, Community, Diversity & Inclusion . By Chrysta Naron | March 24 , 2025

11 Brilliant Black Female Authors You Should Be Reading With Your Kids

Inspire young readers with books by black women authors! Celebrate diversity, identity, and joy with must-read stories for kids.

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Maya's Favorites, Parent-School Partnership, Library & Literacy Advocacy, Books for Adults . By Maya Smart | March 17 , 2025

The Paperback Edition of Reading for Our Lives Is Here—And It Couldn’t Come at a More Critical Time

Awards serve as exclamation marks—chances to pause and say, this matters. Maya Payne Smart reflects on building change with

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Maya's Favorites, Community, Library & Literacy Advocacy . By Maya Smart | March 10 , 2025

Why Awards Matter: The Unexpected Benefits of Recognition, Connection, and Celebration

Awards serve as exclamation marks—chances to pause and say, this matters. Maya Payne Smart reflects on building change with

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Community, Library & Literacy Advocacy . By Maya Smart | February 24 , 2025

Rising Together: My Reflections on Getting the 2025 Champion of Children Award at Beyond School Hours

Literacy lifts communities! Maya Payne Smart, 2025 Champion of Children, challenges us to help every child read, grow, and

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Parent-School Partnership, Community, Library & Literacy Advocacy . By Maya Smart | February 10 , 2025

5 Things Parents Need to Know About the 2024 NAEP Reading Scores Crisis

What do the 2024 NAEP national reading scores mean for your child? Get key takeaways and action steps for

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Library & Literacy Advocacy . By Maya Smart | January 06 , 2025

Literacy Champion Offers a Case Study in How to Be an Advocate (Hint: Lead With Curiosity)

Attorney Kevin Long didn’t set out to become a literacy advocate. But thoughtful curiosity drove him to become a catalyst for

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Parent-School Partnership, Community, Library & Literacy Advocacy . By Maya Smart | December 23 , 2024

I’ve Had a Fantastic Year Promoting Literacy for All. Who’ll Join My 2025 Plans?

Parenting author and literacy expert Maya Payne Smart shares exciting plans for 2025, plus literacy for all successes in

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Personal Development, Community, Diversity & Inclusion, Library & Literacy Advocacy . By Maya Smart | December 09 , 2024

The Christmas Books Campaign that Launched My Literacy Advocacy

Celebrating 10 years since Maya Smart’s pivotal role as The Richmond Christmas Mother, where her passion for literacy and early

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Kids Books, Social Emotional, Diversity & Inclusion . By Chrysta Naron | December 02 , 2024

Affirming Hair-Love Picture Books to Foster Acceptance & Self-Love

Celebrate your child's & their friends’ unique hair or hairstyles (or lack thereof) with hair love picture books that foster

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