On March 22nd, 2022, Professor Debra Carrothers, a former political aide, was extremely excited to introduce to her American Government class a guest lecturer: former National Teacher of the Year and current Connecticut Representative, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes. 

The class was guided through the Congresswoman’s history. She started as a teen mom, working her way to get back into school to become a teacher, and becoming the friend all students can rely on. When in the running for Teacher of the year, she explained how the people who ran the nominations wanted to cover up her history as she put it in her essay, saying instead the simple and basic “I was the first in my family to go to college.” To Hayes, that was not her whole story; her journey started when she became a mother, not when she went to college. 

She noticed further inequities when she won National Teacher of Year and her school planned to place her in all AP (Advanced Placement) Classes. This was ridiculous to her since she got her place by helping students of all levels. It was around this time she was approached by government officials asking if she would consider running for Congress. Though she declined at first, after a bit of research into what she would want to pursue, she accepted and decided to run for Representative.  

She further explained her journey to Congress, simultaneously winning and losing Democrats’ backing due to shifting eligibility, which she began investigating as a result. She constantly thanked her student volunteers who helped her along the way as she went through the process of running for Congress. 

Once she arrived at Congress, Hayes immediately set her sights on the Education Committee, only to learn that one must “pay debts” to get onto the committee of choice, which made no sense to her after paying so much to campaign for Congress. She described Congress as having “no playbook,” as there was to guide her once she arrived there.

Congresswoman Hayes explained what Congress and the House of Representatives have power over, including anything that requires federal funding. She also shared stories of crazy things she discovered she has authority over, like the case of Ella the Elephant and other exotic animals.

While willing to take questions, students were unable to ask, as the Congresswoman and students were so enthralled by the stories she was telling, with the Representative exclaiming “I’m so happy to be in a classroom again!”

Before she left, an older student thanked the Representative for helping her bring her ninety-year-old mother into the country.

In a funny end to the lecture, the Congresswoman was running late to a meeting, exclaiming “This happens every time!” Professor Carrothers, falling back into her political aide habits, helped guide Congresswoman Hayes out, grabbing her coat and belongings, and pushing her and her group out so they may attend their meeting.

Thank you for visiting Congresswoman Hayes.