AFT vice president and Ohio Federation of Teachers president Tom Mooney, 52, died of an apparent heart attack Dec. 3 at his apartment in Columbus. Mooney, who became OFT president in 2000, previously had been a longtime president of the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers.

"We have lost one of the nation's most forceful and eloquent voices on behalf of teachers, students and public education," said AFT president Edward J. McElroy in a statement. "Tom never lost the youthful vigor that catapulted him to leadership positions from which he took courageous stands on many worthy causes. That makes it especially difficult to accept this loss—Tom was so vibrant and had so much yet to contribute."

Mooney was elected to the AFT's executive council in 1990 and served on the council's executive committee since 1998. He earlier served on the council's human rights and community relations committee and also as chair of the AFT Teachers program and policy council. He also served on the council's organizing committee.

Under Mooney'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. In Mooney's last term as local president, CFT and district administrators developed a rigorous teacher evaluation system which expects higher levels of performance from experienced teachers.

Mooney had been a strong proponent of more accountability for charter schools in Ohio, spearheading a coalition of education, parent and civic groups that was critical of widespread academic failure among students attending privately operated charter schools in the state.

His brother, Cincinnati attorney Don Mooney, told the Cincinnati Enquirer, "We're just devastated by this.  We're just stunned and disappointed that somebody who had so much to give to his friends, his family and his profession would die so young."  (See also editorial and tribute in local newspapers.)

Mooney is survived by his wife, Debbie Schneider; a son, Ruairi Rhodes, by his first wife, Virginia Rhodes; a daughter, Lielah Mooney; his brother, Don; two sisters, Leslie Mooney, and Christine Mooney; and his mother, Marguerite Mooney. Condolences may be sent in care of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, 1251 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43205. [Trish Gorman, Cincinnati Enquirer, OFT]

December 4, 2006