On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, Mastery Schools students, parents, and staff traveled to the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg to engage with more than 15 legislators for 2025 Advocacy Day. The group joined other organizations from across the Commonwealth, calling for improved policies and reform. 

“Engaging with legislators at the Capitol is a vital step in ensuring policies reflect the real needs of students,” said Mastery’s Director of Organizing and Advocacy, Callie Williams. “Our presence affirms that families and students deserve to be heard.” 

During a busy lineup of meetings with representatives and senators from both sides of the aisle, Mastery advocates focused on critical priorities such as the urgent need for increased school funding, fair treatment for public charter schools, and transportation costs for students with special needs. Additionally, Mastery called for an end to federal funding cuts that adversely affect programs that support students and families, such as AmeriCorps.

Markida Ross, a parent of two Mastery alumni and a longtime board member, expressed her admiration for the parents who attended. “Some people look at parents and think of us as just that, but we are more than just parents. We have a voice,” she said as she called for more parents to join the Mastery Parent Action Team.

For Lynn Miller, the grandmother of a Frederick Douglass Elementary student, the trip was about learning more about what it takes to give her granddaughter the best education possible – and she’s committed to fighting for better. “I did not realize the processes that need to be put in place for our children to receive the proper education,” she said. “I never realized that her education and livelihood are at stake, so I will keep coming. The only thing that we can do is consistently and constantly advocate.” 

Nadia Exantus brought her three children, students at Smedley Elementary and Lenfest Campus, to Harrisburg to teach them an important lesson about fighting for issues that impact them personally, and she received positive feedback from legislators. Her experience on the Mastery Parent Action Team has helped her remain informed of local, city, and state issues that impact her children, regardless of her personal opinions or political affiliations. Exantus says, “I like being with the team because they put me first. They make me feel that my opinion matters by allowing my voice to be heard.” 

This annual trip underscores Mastery Schools’ commitment to actively engaging in the legislative process to champion the needs of students and families. By bringing their voices directly to lawmakers, Mastery continues to combat the challenges that prevent students and families from success. We are thankful for the power and leadership of Mastery parents and students who are leading the way in advocating for our families and schools.

Thank you to all the legislators and their teams for taking time to meet with the Mastery team, including Speaker of the House Representative Joanna McClinton, Chairman Jordan Harris, Representatives Andre Carroll, Elizabeth Fieldler,  Keith Harris, Rick Krajewski, Roni Green, and Martina White; as well as several Senators, including Education Chair Lynda Schlegel Culver, Appropriations Chairs Vincent Hughes and Scott Martin, and Senators Art Haywood, Nikil Saval, Sharif Street, Christine Tartaglione, and Anthony Williams.