Thomas A. Dooher officially assumed the office of Education Minnesota president on July 1.

Dooher brings extensive experience advocating on behalf of educators. Prior to his election as state president, Dooher served as president of the Robbinsdale Federation of Teachers for 10 years. He also served on the Education Minnesota Governing Board and in local leadership positions.

One of Dooher’s first functions as president will be to lead the Minnesota delegation at the National Education Association (NEA) Representative Assembly June 30-July 5 in Philadelphia. There, delegates will debate some of the most important issues facing public education, including teacher training and retention, reform of the No Child Left Behind law, and funding for schools.

In his first months in office, Dooher also plans to embark on a statewide tour to meet members, legislators and community members to hear their concerns and ideas for public education.

“As president, I pledge to stand side by side with every Education Minnesota member to make a profound difference for Minnesota students,” said Dooher. “It is my vision that Education Minnesota will lead the state’s education agenda, advocating for our members and making the case for keeping Minnesota schools great.”

Also assuming statewide office on July 1 were Vice President Paul Mueller and Secretary-Treasurer Denise Specht. Mueller was most recently a career and industrial technology program teacher at Brooklyn Center High School and was active in union work as an NEA director and member of the Education Minnesota Governing Board. Denise Specht was a Title I reading and math teacher at Golden Lake Elementary in the Centennial School District and served as local president of the Centennial Education Association for the past five years.