Maia grew up in Stillwater, Minnesota where she cultivated a strong affinity for dense forests and cold climates. She earned her bachelor's degree in mathematics, a master's degree in education, and teaching certification from the University of Minnesota -Twin Cities. Alongside supporting in-school programming and field courses, she runs afterschool clubs, cares for the aquarium, and organizes summer camps. In her free time, Maia likes to gather people to play music, run on the Cross Trail, and draw and paint local sea life.