Maya’s sharp insights and practical advice for nurturing young readers and improving educational outcomes have been featured in:
Maya’s keynotes and workshops have empowered thousands at state and national conferences, equipping caregivers, educators, and librarians with practical tools to foster early literacy. She also makes a compelling case for corporate and community investment in literacy, inspiring leaders to champion educational equity and long-term social impact.
Maya believes that raising a nation of readers is essential to achieving the solidarity and equity our society needs. She works closely with event hosts to tailor her presentations, make research applicable, and leave audiences motivated to take action.
Speaking Topics
How to Give Your Child a Smart Start: An Early Literacy Action Plan
FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS
Science confirms that reading skills start developing in infancy—but many parents don’t know how to guide this growth. In this session, Maya breaks down the stages of literacy development from birth through the early elementary years, empowering caregivers with six simple yet powerful tools to build lifelong readers.
Takeaways
- Recognize key literacy milestones from infancy through early elementary school.
- Transform everyday moments into rich literacy opportunities.
- Adapt your approach as your child grows, fostering reading confidence at every stage.
- Weave reading seamlessly into family life, creating meaningful rituals and fostering a culture of learning.
- Celebrate literacy milestones with confidence, recognizing and supporting your child’s unique development.
Inside America’s Reading Crisis: How You Can Help and Why You Should
FOR CIVIC LEADERS AND CONCERNED CITIZENS
The pandemic disrupted the reading progress of an entire generation—impacting families and communities for years to come. Many school-age children face lasting setbacks, while Covid-era infants and preschoolers show delayed development. But there’s hope: us. This session outlines five community levers for literacy success, highlighting real-world examples of grassroots change.
Takeaways
- Learn how the pandemic impacted children’s literacy development, and what this means for the future.
- Gain insight into five community levers for literacy success.
- Explore actionable ways to address literacy gaps in your local context.
- See how everyday people have successfully championed literacy efforts and inspired meaningful change.
Beyond Storytime: How to Help Parents Nurture Reading from Birth
FOR EDUCATORS, LIBRARIANS, AND OTHER FAMILY-FACING PROFESSIONALS
Teachers and librarians are trusted by parents for advice, yet many lack formal training in literacy development. This session bridges that gap by providing practical tools to equip professionals to help parents raise readers confidently. Maya explains how reading unfolds from birth and how professionals can equip families with simple, research-backed strategies to foster literacy at home.
Takeaways
- Explore how back-and-forth exchanges with babies boost vocabulary and cognitive development.
- Understand the key building blocks of early literacy—oral language, print awareness, and phonological skills.
- Equip families with tools to integrate literacy moments into daily life.
- Build trust with parents, earning their confidence and sparking action.
- Tie literacy strategies to broader educational goals, creating measurable impact.
Empathy in Action: Strengthening Family Partnerships for Student Success
FOR EDUCATORS AND LIBRARIANS
Strong family-school partnerships unlock a child’s potential. This interactive workshop provides tools to deepen relationships with families, moving beyond surface-level communication to meaningful collaboration. Maya’s hands-on approach leaves educators with strategies to build trust, engage caregivers, and support student literacy development.
Takeaways
- Master active listening to understand families’ needs.
- Frame communication as two-way dialogue and respond effectively to concerns.
- Develop inclusive, strengths-based relationships with families.
- Connect families to vital literacy resources and support networks.
“Maya led a dynamic, impactful half-day workshop for 60 of our youth services librarians and library assistants. She described early reading development and highlighted pertinent library materials for various ages and stages. Our staff left with newfound confidence in communicating with parents and directing them to truly helpful resources, thanks to Maya’s insights and exercises.”
“Maya presented a wonderful family literacy workshop for a diverse audience of caregivers, reading champions, and librarians in our community. Attendees loved the way she presented rigorous reading research in a warm, encouraging style that made insights immediately useful. Her ability to weave in personal stories from her own parenting journey made the presentation even more moving and memorable. I highly recommend her workshops for both parents or professionals looking for a better understanding of how we can nurture, teach, and encourage young readers.”
“Maya delivered an excellent, customized message that resonated with our audience and won a standing ovation. I love how she researched our mission, history, and impact and weaved familiar United Way quotes, themes, and ideas into her presentation. Plus, she’s a pleasure to work with behind the scenes and inspires with her work and her words.”
“Maya’s book talk for the Parents League of New York was wonderful! Sharing an excerpt from Reading for Our Lives, Maya provided families with six practical tools for nurturing their childrens’ reading success. Relatable, warm, and generous of spirit, Maya imparted helpful frameworks for building kids’ oral language skills and navigating developmental milestones. Our families were engaged, excited, and appreciated her actionable advice, making Maya Smart a speaker not to be missed!”
Select Appearances by Sector
Libraries
Maya’s expertise has been featured on national stages and in community-focused forums, helping library professionals elevate their early literacy programming:
- American Library Association
- Association of Small and Rural Libraries
- Chicago Public Library
- Johnson County Library
- King County Library
- Milwaukee Public Library
- Richmond Public Library
- Southern Maryland Regional Library/Eastern Shore Regional Library
- State Library of Iowa (Pop YS Conference)
Nonprofit
As a trusted voice in nonprofit spaces, Maya has collaborated with leading organizations to champion literacy equity:
- Learn to Earn Dayton
- LENA Foundation
- Literacy First
- Make Way for Books
- National Black Child Development Institute – Wisconsin
- Parents League of New York
- Philadelphia Read By 4th
- Planet Word Museum DC
- United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County
Early Education
From keynote speeches to interactive workshops, Maya has inspired early childhood educators to build foundational literacy skills through everyday moments and show parents how to do the same:
- Idaho Early Years Conference
- Kindercare Learning Centers
- Maryland State Child Care Association
- Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children
- St. Francis Children’s Center
K12 Education
In K-12 spaces, Maya equips teachers and administrators with actionable strategies to close literacy gaps, empower students, and spark parent engagement as a key driver for success:
- Literacy is Life Conference
- Milwaukee Public Schools
- Plain Talk Literacy Conference
- Seton Catholic Schools
- St. Marcus Lutheran School
- Wisconsin Education Conference
- Wisconsin State Reading Association
