#OurAmericanFabric: Millennial lawmakers leading on Education

• Thursday, August 26, 2021 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

The Millennial generation is America’s most diverse generation. Each month, MAP will be inviting Millennial legislators from across the country to share their story! Through heritage months, cultural celebrations, and historic events, we will amplify the stories and voices of our generation of leaders.

For our fourth episode in Our American Fabric, we sat down with Rep. Brandy Pyle (R-ND), Rep. Jordan Harris (D-PA), and Asm. Doug Smith (R-NY) @dougsmithny to discuss their experience leading on education in their state. They found that education can be an opportunity for common ground across the political aisle.

When asked if education was an area for bipartisan opportunity in their legislatures, the legislators overwhelming agreed. In particular, Rep. Pyle cited that dyslexia support, and teacher and trades training is something both Democrats and Republicans in North Dakota support. Rep. Harris described that there is bipartisan agreement in Pennsylvania that schools should be fully funded and that there has been more recognition than in the past on equity issues. Likewise, Asm. Smith has seen similar trends to his fellow panelists among both Democrats and Republicans in New York.

We also asked about their strategies to building relationships across the aisle. Rep. Pyle discussed the importance of emotional intelligence here, so that you are able to understand where the other person is coming from in moments of disagreement. Rep. Harris reminds the group that they are people before they are politicians; to be yourself and be humble. Asm. Smith touts assuming best intentions, and the importance of being authentic and real.