Former National Teacher of the Year Runs for Congress

Jahana Hayes is one of hundreds of teachers who’ve witnessed firsthand how policymakers are hurting the education system and she refuses to stay silent. A recipient of the 2016 National Teacher of the Year Award, Hayes is now running to become a Connecticut representative in Washington and it’s looking like she has a real shot. “I’m a fighter,” Hayes tells the Hartford Courant. “Time and time again, I have had doors shut in my face and have had to walk around and knock on the back door.’’ Hayes grew up in a housing project and became a teenage mom, yet still found a way to put herself through college and become a successful and respectful teacher. Today, she uses her experience as guidance to take on Washington by storm. She knows what needs to be done.     If elected, Hayes says she also plans on turning attention to Connecticut’s growing opioid epidemic, as well as providing resources for veterans and protecting Dreamers. Education is, unsurprisingly, also a big part of Hayes’ platform. For her, helping kids become well-educated denizens of the future won’t come from standardized tests. “Education saved my life, and I will ensure that all children from all communities have access to a high quality education,” Hayes says on her site. “I will be a vocal advocate for public education and ensure all stakeholders are cognizant of the long-term impact of the education decisions that are currently being made.” Good education isn’t a partisan issue – both red and blue states feel the burn of a tired and underfunded education system. Across the country, 170 teachers and school employees from both sides of the aisle are running for seats in state legislatures. It’s happening folks – a big movement is brewing. Hayes may be a litmus test showing us what is really giving it legs.  

Love seeing all the support from @students4jahana!!

A post shared by Jahana Hayes (@realjahanahayes) on Jul 17, 2018 at 7:34am PDT

Feature photo: Waterbury Public Schools