Jahana Hayes is a politician and educator from Waterbury, Connecticut. She is the U.S. Representative for Connecticut's 5th congressional district. Hayes is well known for being named National Teacher of the Year in 2016. She was honored by Barack Obama at the White House for winning the award. ^[1]6

Jahana Hayes grew up in poverty in the Berkeley Heights housing project in Waterbury, Connecticut. Her family struggled with addiction, relied on public assistance, and at one point lost their apartment. Hayes got pregnant as a teenager, at the time she felt all hopes for any upward mobility seemed beyond her grasp. However, the people in her community and her strong desire for an education propelled her forward. ^[1]

After graduating from high school, Hayes enrolled in Naugatuck Valley Community College, went on to get her bachelors degree at Southern Connecticut State University and her master's degree and advanced degrees from the University of Saint Joseph and University of Bridgeport, all while working to support her young family. “It is these experiences that compel me to invest so deeply in my community, because I have been the beneficiary of so much undeserved grace. We can do whatever it is we set our minds to, as long as we work hard and work together” says Hayes.

Jahana Hayes lives in Wolcott, Connecticut with her husband, Police Detective Milford Hayes. They have four children.

Jahana Hayes is currently the Talent and Professional Development Supervisor for Waterbury Public Schools. She was previously a Social Studies Teacher at John F. Kennedy High School. Hayes has worked as a an educator since 2003. She has taught courses in World History, Roots of American Citizenship, U.S. History, Civics & Geography, and African American History.

As an educator, Hayes is most proud of her student's enthusiasm for community service. Although she initially didn’t expect her work and influence to extend beyond the classroom walls, Hayes has always encouraged students to be active players in making their neighborhoods a better place through multi-faceted service projects for Habitat for Humanity, Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society. The satisfaction that comes from watching “students take ownership of their community is unmatched,” said Hayes.

Hayes also served for seven years as the lead teacher for the district’s after-school programming, and has contributed to the district’s efforts to recruit more minority teachers. In addition, Hayes has also assisted in establishing district-wide mentorship programs for new teachers. She is passionate about promoting teaching as a profession, and has helped secure grants to advocate for education careers, especially for minority candidates.

On Thursday, April 21, 2016, Jahana Hayes was named the National Teacher of the Year by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). On May 3, 2016, she was honored by President Barack Obama at the White House, during National Teacher Appreciation Week.

After winning the award, Hayes spent 2017 traveling across the USA to represent educators and advocate on behalf of public education. As a leading spokesperson and role model, she hopes to encourage more people to join the teaching profession.

In May 2018, Jahana Hayes announced that she was running for United States Congress in Connecticut's 5th congressional district. The general election takes place on November 6, 2018. She will be running against Mary Glassman the former First Selectman of Simsbury, Connecticut in the Democratic Party of Connecticut primary on August 14, 2018. The deadline to file was on June 12, 2018. The seat is currently held by Elizabeth Esty who is not seeking re-election.

Hayes was inspired to run by people in her community and by seeing how many of the problems faced by those in her community were shared across the nation.

She said that she had been approached “by folks in my community” to run for other positions in the past, including state senator and various executive offices in the state.

But this time, when Rep. Elizabeth Etsy announced that she wouldn’t be seeking re-election, “it was just different.”

Hayes has also said that she was inspired by seeing many outsiders without political experience running for office.

^[1]

"My decision to run is inspired by the people in my community,” Hayes said.

“People with real stories, challenges and successes that often never make it into the discussion.

I am running because I see myself in every student, teacher, mom, sister, daughter, friend, neighbor and stranger I meet, and their story is my story.

I want to earn the trust of the people in this district and be the person to carry their concerns to Washington."

Jahana went on to win the election with 55.9% of the vote.

Jahana Hayes has received endorsements from numerous unions, Political Action Committees, as well as municipal, state, and federal politicians.

Jahana Hayes is committed to improving the quality of public education. She believes that the best way to increase student success is to increase teacher quality. She wants to ensure that teacher training, support and resources are in place to adequately prepare school staff. Hayes has also committed to support any measure to make college more affordable or open access to more students. She will also oppose any measures to divert public funding from schools.

Hayes is committed to reducing inequities in her district and has said, "I will work to address any inequities that exist in our communities and ensure that the language of our legislation protects the human and civil rights of all people."

Hayes wants to fight against global warming and protect the environmental treasures found throughout Connecticut including their several lakes, She believes the government needs to be proactive in addressing the lake specific issues of algae bloom and invasive species. She has also said that she is. "ready to fight for open spaces and funds to clean up Brownfields."

Jahana Hayes has said that she will work towards a "clear, legal pathway to citizenship."

She supports the DREAM Act to provide the young people affected with a path to United States citizenship. Hayes also supports equal access to higher education regardless of immigration status.

Hayes in support of passing gun control and related legislation to prevent gun violence. She grew up in a community plagued by gun violence and has seen the impact it has on kids as a teacher. She also wants to continue to advance the USA's mental health care system and wants to equip police with the necessary tools to reduce gun crime.

She supports policies including:

Jahana Hayes believes in expanding resources for the physical and mental health of veterans in addition to progrmas for education and employment.

Hayes supports moving towards a single-payer healthcare system, lowering prescription drug costs and making healthcare more affordable. She is also committed to fighting the opioid epidemic in Connecticut and expanding access to addiction treatment. She will also work to ensure that women have full access to reproductive healthcare and maintain their right to choose without restriction.