Maya’s MTR Legacy: From Memphis to Maryland

Meet Maya Alston,
Class of 2019

From MTR Camp, to interning with MTR, and now teaching, Maya built a legacy within MTR and the city of Memphis. It felt like a journey full of growth for both her and her students. Memphis holds a special place in her heart, though she moved back to Maryland to be closer to family. Through it all, Maya found her voice and passion for equitable education, crediting MTR for cheering her on every step of the way.

Maya sat comfortably in her new classroom in Maryland, what sometimes feels like a world away from the halls of her previous Memphis classroom. As she reflected on her winding journey with MTR, she couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for the role that MTR played in shaping her into the teacher and person she had become.

"It's been quite a journey," Maya reflected, her eyes full of nostalgia. "From MTR Camp back in 2016 to becoming a classroom teacher and now teaching art here in Maryland, it's been incredible."

"Lucie E Campbell was more than just a school to me," Maya continued with a smile spreading across her face. "Having someone like Jordaan McCray (MTR Class of 2018), who had gone ahead of me, was invaluable. We shared notes, cheered each other on, and even had the same mentor.”

Maya also benefited from having two of her residency classmates in the building who taught lower grades (Alexis Madero) and older grades (Taylor Hunter). They turned to each other often for encouragement, while students benefited because they got to learn with great teachers year after year. “Watching our students grow from grade to grade, it was like witnessing a beautiful journey of growth, not just for them but for us as teachers too."

When asked about her favorite thing about Memphis and its people, Maya's eyes filled with love for the city.

Having lived in many cities, she said what truly sets Memphis apart is its people—their warmth, resilience, and sense of community. Maya shared how MTR played a significant role in fostering that sense of community, not just within the program but in the neighborhoods and schools it invested in. Memphis will always have a place in her heart; she misses it every day that she is gone and loves coming back to visit her friends and community.

As Maya spoke about the impact of MTR on her life, her voice brimmed with emotion.

"MTR brought out the leader in me," she stated. "People through MTR taught me to have a voice—for myself and for my students. It instilled in me the belief that everyone deserves an equal education and someone to stand up for them, and that's a value I carry with me wherever I go."

Thinking back through her experience with MTR starting almost a decade ago, she feels that she has been cheered on every step of the way. From MTR Camp to her years as a classroom teacher, she always felt encouraged in her endeavors. Maya stands by the fact that MTR is more than just a program—“...it's a family, a community, and a source of inspiration. And for that, I'll be forever grateful."

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