Thomas A. Dooher was elected president of Education Minnesota at the Representative Convention on March 17, 2007. He assumed office July 1, 2007.

Dooher brings to the office of state president extensive experience advocating on behalf of educators. Prior to his election to state president, Dooher served as president of the Robbinsdale Federation of Teachers for 10 years. During his tenure, he helped drive membership by bringing young members into the local and mentoring them into leadership positions. Dooher also served as an Education Minnesota Governing Board member and in other leadership roles with the Robbinsdale Federation of Teachers, and was named a Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation hero.

Dooher has a deep-seated belief in the power of labor unions to improve people’s lives and a long family history of union leadership. As state president, Dooher represents the 70,000 members who make up the Minnesota educators union.

Vision
Dooher pledges that, as Education Minnesota’s president, he will stand side by side with every Education Minnesota member to make a profound difference for Minnesota students.

He believes the educators union is here to fight for the needs of our students. Dooher recognizes that what is good for students is also good for Education Minnesota members. To that end, he wants to see the union lead the state’s education agenda, advocating on behalf of members and making the case for keeping Minnesota schools great. 

Priorities
Dooher wants Education Minnesota to become the trusted source for decisions about education in Minnesota. As president, Dooher will guide Education Minnesota to take the lead on:

• Restoring Minnesota’s threatened reputation as a national leader in education.
• Developing academic standards that work for students and educators.
• Advocating for adequate school funding.
• Securing professional salaries so Minnesota students will continue to be taught by the best educators in the country.
• Finding affordable and accessible health insurance options for educators.

Professional teaching experience

• Physical education teacher, Sandburg Middle School, Robbinsdale Area Schools
• Head coach, girls track and field and boys and girls soccer, Robbinsdale Armstrong High School
• Physical education design team, Robbinsdale Area Schools
• Section VII Coach of the Year

Education

• Bachelor of arts degree, College of St. Thomas (now University of St. Thomas) with K-12 physical education and 7-12 coaching licensures (1985)
• Master’s degree in education, Hamline University (2000)
• Public human resources certificate, University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management (1999)

Family
Dooher and his wife, Denise, who is a Robbinsdale Armstrong High School graduate and teaches music in the Robbinsdale district, reside in Brooklyn Park. Denise is also actively involved in the local union and serves as elementary vice president of the Robbinsdale Federation of Teachers.