Maya Smith of Fenway High School Named MSAA Assistant Principal of the Year

Mrs. Maya Smith, Associate Head of School at Fenway High School in Boston, has been named the 2025 MSAA Assistant Principal of the Year. She has served at Fenway High School for the past three years. Maya graduated from the University of Hartford with a Bachelor of Science degree and earned her Master of Science in Education from Simmons College.

Prior to her current role as Associate Head of School, Maya led the Special Education Department at Fenway as the Special Education Director. Over her 21 years in education, she has dedicated 15 years to quasi-administrative roles, including leading grade-level and content teams, in addition to teaching math. Maya is deeply committed to improving educational outcomes for all students by ensuring they receive rigorous daily instruction and by breaking down barriers for the most marginalized communities. Leading meaningful change within the Boston Public Schools district has always been, and continues to be, a driving force in her career. Maya firmly believes that, no matter where students live within the city of Boston, every student deserves and should have access to a high-quality education.

Maya was nominated by Fenway High School Principal Dr. Geoffrey Walker, who wrote in his nomination:

“Maya has profoundly shaped the culture at Fenway High School through her dedication to bridging opportunity gaps and her commitment to Fenway’s core values: Work Hard. Be Yourself. Do the Right Thing. Her leadership is characterized by integrity and high standards, which she not only sets but also exemplifies through her hard work and passion for the well-being of our students, staff, and families.

"Maya’s impact as an instructional leader is especially significant. She drives improvement within the instructional core by examining curriculum, teaching practices, and student learning data to inform decisions that promote effective learning. Her guidance has propelled the Math Team, which she leads, to achieve the highest student growth percentile in Boston and one of the highest in Massachusetts.”

Maya grew up in the Roslindale area of Boston and now lives in Dorchester with her husband and two sons. Outside of work, Maya finds joy in spending time with family and friends, which is incredibly important to her. She also enjoys cooking, swimming, and exploring new countries through travel.