Maya Payne Smart

Maya Payne Smart is an author, early literacy advocate, and parent educator committed to closing the reading achievement gap. She wrote "Reading for Our Lives: The Urgency of Early Literacy and the Action Plan to Help Your Child" (Avery/Penguin Random House) and is a sought-after speaker on family and community engagement for reading success. Through her website and newsletters at MayaSmart.com, she equips parents and educators with practical, research-based tools to nurture young readers. Her insights have been featured in TIME, CBS Mornings, and PBS. She serves as affiliated faculty in the College of Education at Marquette University and holds degrees from Harvard and Northwestern. Follow her on Instagram.