Hi, I’m Maya Lena.
As a proud Portland Public Schools parent and teacher, I’ve advocated for the improvement of our schools at the school and district level.
I am an experienced educator, a neighborhood leader, and I have worked in Portland Public Schools as a substitute teacher.
Certified Clean Elections Candidate
I want to be a bridge between the school board, and the school staff and families.
As a PPS parent I have enjoyed volunteering my time on multiple committees in order to ensure we are hiring the best and most qualified staff to lead our schools and make them positive places of learning and growth for all PPS students.
It is important to have people in leadership positions that have worked in education in a variety of settings. As a Maine State Certified PK-12 Art Educator, I have worked in a range of educational settings over many years of teaching.
My Priorities
In my experience, the most important factors in improving educational experiences for all students are:
Keeping class sizes small, especially at the elementary level.
Appropriately challenging students and holding them to standards of behavior in order to create positive learning environments
Reducing the amount of time spent on screens and increasing peer-to-peer interaction
Advocating for increased time and adequately supporting visual and performing arts across all grade levels
Hiring highly-qualified new staff and retaining Portland’s excellent educators
We must also seek alternate funding sources for our school budget.
Increasing property taxes annually is not sustainable for keeping families in Portland, and yet more funding is clearly needed to achieve many of the district’s goals. I will work with city councilors as well as our representatives at the state level to identify alternate ways to fully fund our schools without sacrificing high-quality programming for our students.
High School of the Future
Portland is in a unique position to potentially build a new consolidated high school facility. This decision must not be taken lightly and we must consider the input of those who understand the needs of each high school campus: the staff and students. Larger schools are more difficult to manage, and adequately staffing the school so students can have a safe and supportive educational environment should be a top priority.
Endorsed by
Ben Grant
Portland School Board Member, At-Large
"Maya has been a forceful advocate for schools, and has the perspective of both a parent and a teacher. Her thoughtfulness and experience will be a tremendous asset to the Board. I encourage everyone to vote for Maya this November."
Julianne R. Opperman PhD
Portland School Board Member, District 3
"Maya will be a thoughtful and effective member of the Portland Public School Board. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with her this year as she shared her wisdom and perspective as an educator and Amanda Rowe School parent. Portland will be fortunate to have her energy and commitment in service of all Portland Public School students."
Sarah Lentz
Portland School Board Chair
"Maya has been in our classrooms, teaching our students. She knows first hand the challenges and strengths of the Portland Public Schools and is incredibly invested in moving this district forward. Her skills and experiences are exactly what this board needs.”
About Maya
Maya is an educator who currently works as a Portland Public Schools substitute teacher and is a parent at Amanda C. Rowe Elementary.
Current President of the Nason’s Corner Neighborhood Association
Member of the Portland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advocacy Committee
Former Member of the City of Portland Parks Commission
Volunteer with the Amanda C. Rowe Elementary PTO
Served on the interview committees for the newly hired Principal and Assistant Principal at Amanda C. Rowe Elementary
Has taught at Scarborough Middle School, University of New England, Waynflete School, Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (MA), and The Potomac School (VA)
MAT in Art Education from Tufts University
BA in Art and Environmental Studies from Bowdoin College
PK-12 Certification in Art Ed from the State of Maine