About Tom Mooney

Tom MooneyOn December 3, 2006, one of our founding organizers, Tom Mooney, died of a heart attack. In recognition of his role as a guiding light in the work we re-named the Institute in his honor. In so many ways, Tom's life and work continue to inspire us to be true to his vision.

Tom Mooney was President of The Ohio Federation of Teachers, and a Vice President of the American Federation of Teachers. He previously served as President of the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers for many years.  Under Tom’s leadership, the CFT became a national leader in advancing teacher professionalism.  The local negotiated the country’s second Peer Assistance and Evaluation Program and built a four-tiered career ladder for teachers, the Career in Teaching Program.  He was also one of the leading voices nationally for teachers on educational policy and school reform issues; he fought to make teachers real partners in determining educational programs and resource allocations at the district level. 

At the state level, Tom was a persistent activist in the long running battle for equitable and adequate funding of public schools and a prominent critic of tax funded school vouchers and privately operated charter schools. 

Tom served on the AFT Executive Council and its eleven-member Executive Committee.  He served as Chairman of the AFT’s Program and Policy Council for K-12 Teachers, and chaired the AFT Task Force on Redesign of Low Performing Schools.

Mooney was a Board member of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and the Board of Directors of the Albert Shanker Institute.  He was also a past member of the Board of Directors of the Holmes Partnership for teacher education reform.

(Photo credit: Cincinnati Enquirer)

Personal Remembrances of Tom Mooney

Tom Mooney Perspective