Maya Barbosa '15

In January, Maya Barbosa '15 joined the MCS staff as a 4-5s teaching assistant, working with Sarah Liebowits who was her 4-5 teacher! She is currently a student at Temple University studying early childhood education. We recently sat down with Maya to speak about her time at MCS and the impact the school and teachers had on her.

 

I always circle back to the values that MCS had. Literally in every single aspect of my life. The MCS philosophy in every single aspect shaped who I am.

 

An aspect of the MCS curriculum that resonates with me is how close knit everyone is, to be a member of the community, I had to be very present and active. After graduation, I took that with me - finding myself and different parts of my identity. I don't think I would have been able to do that without the MCS curriculum which is so open and accepting of everyone.

 

Activism is also such a fundamental part of the MCS curriculum. My experiences in college have always had to do with some type of activism on campus. In today's society, when we talk about politics, I always go back to MCS activism and what I can do in this world to make it better. 

 

The MCS values have not changed since I've been here and have been the same values for generations.

I worked at MCS as an after school assistant.  If I hadn't had connections with Jamie-Leigh (Backmon '10, afterschool coordinator) or Chawon (Williams, former afterschool director), I probably would not be going in the direction I am as a teacher, having those connections and knowing that MCS is always a place I can go back to.

 

Because of the connection I had with Chawon as a student here, I wasn't scared to reach out to her after I graduated.  Working at MCS as an afterschool assistant when I was only 15 years old, I felt instantly connected with the students and younger children. It clicked in my second semester in college.  I am at Temple University majoring in early childhood education. I'm working in the 4-5s with Sarah and Rosie. I want to teach 4 and 5 year olds - the younger generation. My mother, who is also a teacher, and I are also thinking of opening up our own school.

 

Empathy with students. Going to MCS and having teachers who understood me and were listening to me and always had conversions with me, being connected to the students, being a part of their family. I'm so grateful for Tom Grattan and Maiya Jackson. They really took the time for me. 

 

 

See Maya talk about the impact MCS and her teachers had on her at Big Night In! on Saturday, April 24. RSVP here.