Bringing Civics to Life: State Representative La’Tasha Mayes Visits Ellis Students
Bringing Civics to Life
What does it take to turn an idea into legislation? How do elected officials work with others to serve their communities? And how can young people make a difference before they’re old enough to vote?
Ellis students explored these questions firsthand during a visit with Pennsylvania State Representative La’Tasha D. Mayes, who spoke with students about her work in public service, the legislative process, and the importance of civic engagement.
Representing Pennsylvania’s 24th House District, Mayes brings a background in community organizing, public policy, and advocacy to her role. Before being elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2022, she founded and led New Voices for Reproductive Justice for 18 years. She is the first woman to represent House District 24. Learn more about Representative Mayes.
Her visit connected classroom learning to the lived experience of an elected official, giving students a closer look at how government works—and the relationships, collaboration, and persistence involved in public service.
In their history and civics studies, students learn about the roles and responsibilities of elected representatives. Hearing directly from Representative Mayes offered a practical perspective on that work, from participating in legislative committees and building support for legislation to working with colleagues who bring different experiences and perspectives to the table.
“She spoke about working across differences to improve the lives of Pennsylvanians,” said Gabrielle Thompson-Graves, M.A.T., Upper School History Teacher. “You won’t agree with everyone on everything, but you still have the same goal of helping others. The question is how you want to go about it.”
Mayes shared examples of finding common ground with colleagues and building professional relationships despite differing perspectives. Her experiences helped students consider how listening, understanding others, and identifying shared goals can contribute to collaboration and progress.
The conversation also offered a personal perspective on leadership. Mayes spoke about setbacks she experienced before being elected and how those challenges contributed to her development as a leader.
For Thompson-Graves, this was an especially valuable lesson for students who sometimes feel that their ability to influence change is limited because they are not yet old enough to vote. Mayes’s experiences illustrated how civic engagement extends beyond elections and how individuals can begin contributing to their communities at any age.
“In the moment you may not see the results, but continuing to fight and push for what you think is right will eventually produce a path of progress that can only be seen after it is mostly constructed,” Thompson-Graves reflected.
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Representing Pennsylvania’s 24th House District, Mayes brings a background in community organizing, public policy, and advocacy to her role. Before being elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2022, she founded and led New Voices for Reproductive Justice for 18 years. She is the first woman to represent House District 24. Learn more about Representative Mayes.
Her visit connected classroom learning to the lived experience of an elected official, giving students a closer look at how government works—and the relationships, collaboration, and persistence involved in public service.
In their history and civics studies, students learn about the roles and responsibilities of elected representatives. Hearing directly from Representative Mayes offered a practical perspective on that work, from participating in legislative committees and building support for legislation to working with colleagues who bring different experiences and perspectives to the table.
“She spoke about working across differences to improve the lives of Pennsylvanians,” said Gabrielle Thompson-Graves, M.A.T., Upper School History Teacher. “You won’t agree with everyone on everything, but you still have the same goal of helping others. The question is how you want to go about it.”
Mayes shared examples of finding common ground with colleagues and building professional relationships despite differing perspectives. Her experiences helped students consider how listening, understanding others, and identifying shared goals can contribute to collaboration and progress.
The conversation also offered a personal perspective on leadership. Mayes spoke about setbacks she experienced before being elected and how those challenges contributed to her development as a leader.
For Thompson-Graves, this was an especially valuable lesson for students who sometimes feel that their ability to influence change is limited because they are not yet old enough to vote. Mayes’s experiences illustrated how civic engagement extends beyond elections and how individuals can begin contributing to their communities at any age.
“In the moment you may not see the results, but continuing to fight and push for what you think is right will eventually produce a path of progress that can only be seen after it is mostly constructed,” Thompson-Graves reflected.
Mitch Masucci, History Department Chair, emphasized the importance of helping students understand the role of state and local government.
“We’re often focused on the big excitement of national elections that we lose the thread when it comes to how important local elections are, and yet how few people actually participate in politics at the local level,” Masucci shared.
Mayes’s firsthand account of the legislative process helped students see that moving an idea forward requires more than introducing a proposal. It involves discussion, negotiation, collaboration, and sustained effort—details that can be difficult to fully convey through classroom instruction alone.
Masucci hopes students left the conversation with a deeper appreciation for the work elected officials do on behalf of their communities and greater confidence in their own ability to participate in civic life. He also hopes they will be more willing to speak up about issues that matter to them, contact their elected representatives, and engage with their communities beyond social media.
Both teachers emphasized the importance of building connections, including with people whose perspectives differ from their own. By listening to others, asking questions, and looking for opportunities to work together, students can better understand how relationships and shared goals can help communities address challenges.
Ultimately, Mayes’s visit reinforced an important lesson: students do not have to wait until adulthood to participate in civic life or contribute to their communities. Through asking questions, learning about local government, contacting elected officials, and advocating for issues they care about, they can begin making a difference today.
At Ellis, experiences like this bring learning beyond the classroom, helping students connect their understanding of government with the everyday work of leadership, advocacy, and civic responsibility.
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