All of Moira Coogan's life, a muse has watched over her, instilling in her the values that have made her the socially aware educator and union leader she is today.
From an early age, Moira's mother, Mary Jo Kishel Coogan, a follower of liberation theology, was committed to social justice and civil rights, following the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. At 16, she boarded a bus with Quakers to attend the 1963 March on Washington.
Later, as a divorced mother with no time to earn her doctorate, Mary Jo worked on policy analysis in the Office of the President at the University of Colorado, where Moira was raised. Moira says, "My mother taught me that we should talk to the janitor the same way we talk to the college president." She also encouraged Moira to earn her doctorate someday, saying, "It will be like a union card."
It was no wonder that Moira earned her master's degree and doctorate in special education and went on to become president of the Denver School Leaders Association, Local 136, AFSA, and a member of the AFSA General Executive Board.
Her father, Tom Coogan, traveled almost constantly for his marketing job, so during the summers Moira joined him in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and even Jakarta, Indonesia. "Like Obama," she laughs.
Born and raised in Colorado, she broadened her worldview through travel. She says, "I went to the international school in Jakarta for one whole summer and saw the absolute difference between the haves and have-nots, and it stuck with me forever."
She adds, "That's why I want to open doors to everybody. That's what unions are all about. They're about gaining access to power and getting a seat at the table."
When Moira became an administrator, she joined the local professional association. The association reached out to AFSA about organizing as a union and received invaluable advice. When Moira ran for union secretary, her mother — who passed away shortly afterward — said, "This is going to be one of the most important things you do in your life."
Today, as president of Local 136, she has seen the six-year-old union grow rapidly and win two contracts. "Anyone who wants to start a union should reach out to AFSA, and they'll give you advice and connect you to people nationally who've gone through the same thing. You'll feel supported, even today, with the current administration."
Moira also credits part of DSLA's success to the continued support of her superintendent, Alex Marrero, who was once a member of CSA, Local 1.
But when Moira graduated Phi Beta Kappa in English and secondary education from the University of Colorado Boulder, union organizing was...
All of Moira Coogan's life, a muse has watched over her, instilling in her the values that have made her the socially aware educator and union leader she is today.
From an early age, Moira's mother, Mary Jo Kishel Coogan, a follower of liberation theology, was committed to social justice and civil rights, following the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. At 16, she boarded a bus with Quakers to attend the 1963 March on Washington.
Later, as a divorced mother with no time to earn her doctorate, Mary Jo worked on policy analysis in the Office of the President at the University of Colorado, where Moira was raised. Moira says, "My mother taught me that we should talk to the janitor the same way we talk to the college president." She also encouraged Moira to earn her doctorate someday, saying, "It will be like a union card."
It was no wonder that Moira earned her master's degree and doctorate in special education and went on to become president of the Denver School Leaders Association, Local 136, AFSA, and a member of the AFSA General Executive Board.
Her father, Tom Coogan, traveled almost constantly for his marketing job, so during the summers Moira joined him in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and even Jakarta, Indonesia. "Like Obama," she laughs.
Born and raised in Colorado, she broadened her worldview through travel. She says, "I went to the international school in Jakarta for one whole summer and saw the absolute difference between the haves and have-nots, and it stuck with me forever."
She adds, "That's why I want to open doors to everybody. That's what unions are all about. They're about gaining access to power and getting a seat at the table."
When Moira became an administrator, she joined the local professional association. The association reached out to AFSA about organizing as a union and received invaluable advice. When Moira ran for union secretary, her mother — who passed away shortly afterward — said, "This is going to be one of the most important things you do in your life."
Today, as president of Local 136, she has seen the six-year-old union grow rapidly and win two contracts. "Anyone who wants to start a union should reach out to AFSA, and they'll give you advice and connect you to people nationally who've gone through the same thing. You'll feel supported, even today, with the current administration."
Moira also credits part of DSLA's success to the continued support of her superintendent, Alex Marrero, who was once a member of CSA, Local 1.
But when Moira graduated Phi Beta Kappa in English and secondary education from the University of Colorado Boulder, union organizing was...
All of Moira Coogan's life, a muse has watched over her, instilling in her the values that have made her the socially aware educator and union leader she is today.
From an early age, Moira's mother, Mary Jo Kishel Coogan, a follower of liberation theology, was committed to social justice and civil rights, following the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. At 16, she boarded a bus with Quakers to attend the 1963 March on Washington.
Later, as a divorced mother with no time to earn her doctorate, Mary Jo worked on policy analysis in the Office of the President at the University of Colorado, where Moira was raised. Moira says, "My mother taught me that we should talk to the janitor the same way we talk to the college president." She also encouraged Moira to earn her doctorate someday, saying, "It will be like a union card."
It was no wonder that Moira earned her master's degree and doctorate in special education and went on to become president of the Denver School Leaders Association, Local 136, AFSA, and a member of the AFSA General Executive Board.
Her father, Tom Coogan, traveled almost constantly for his marketing job, so during the summers Moira joined him in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and even Jakarta, Indonesia. "Like Obama," she laughs.
Born and raised in Colorado, she broadened her worldview through travel. She says, "I went to the international school in Jakarta for one whole summer and saw the absolute difference between the haves and have-nots, and it stuck with me forever."
She adds, "That's why I want to open doors to everybody. That's what unions are all about. They're about gaining access to power and getting a seat at the table."
When Moira became an administrator, she joined the local professional association. The association reached out to AFSA about organizing as a union and received invaluable advice. When Moira ran for union secretary, her mother — who passed away shortly afterward — said, "This is going to be one of the most important things you do in your life."
Today, as president of Local 136, she has seen the six-year-old union grow rapidly and win two contracts. "Anyone who wants to start a union should reach out to AFSA, and they'll give you advice and connect you to people nationally who've gone through the same thing. You'll feel supported, even today, with the current administration."
Moira also credits part of DSLA's success to the continued support of her superintendent, Alex Marrero, who was once a member of CSA, Local 1.
But when Moira graduated Phi Beta Kappa in English and secondary education from the University of Colorado Boulder, union organizing was...
All of Moira Coogan's life, a muse has watched over her, instilling in her the values that have made her the socially aware educator and union leader she is today.
From an early age, Moira's mother, Mary Jo Kishel Coogan, a follower of liberation theology, was committed to social justice and civil rights, following the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. At 16, she boarded a bus with Quakers to attend the 1963 March on Washington.
Later, as a divorced mother with no time to earn her doctorate, Mary Jo worked on policy analysis in the Office of the President at the University of Colorado, where Moira was raised. Moira says, "My mother taught me that we should talk to the janitor the same way we talk to the college president." She also encouraged Moira to earn her doctorate someday, saying, "It will be like a union card."
It was no wonder that Moira earned her master's degree and doctorate in special education and went on to become president of the Denver School Leaders Association, Local 136, AFSA, and a member of the AFSA General Executive Board.
Her father, Tom Coogan, traveled almost constantly for his marketing job, so during the summers Moira joined him in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and even Jakarta, Indonesia. "Like Obama," she laughs.
Born and raised in Colorado, she broadened her worldview through travel. She says, "I went to the international school in Jakarta for one whole summer and saw the absolute difference between the haves and have-nots, and it stuck with me forever."
She adds, "That's why I want to open doors to everybody. That's what unions are all about. They're about gaining access to power and getting a seat at the table."
When Moira became an administrator, she joined the local professional association. The association reached out to AFSA about organizing as a union and received invaluable advice. When Moira ran for union secretary, her mother — who passed away shortly afterward — said, "This is going to be one of the most important things you do in your life."
Today, as president of Local 136, she has seen the six-year-old union grow rapidly and win two contracts. "Anyone who wants to start a union should reach out to AFSA, and they'll give you advice and connect you to people nationally who've gone through the same thing. You'll feel supported, even today, with the current administration."
Moira also credits part of DSLA's success to the continued support of her superintendent, Alex Marrero, who was once a member of CSA, Local 1.
But when Moira graduated Phi Beta Kappa in English and secondary education from the University of Colorado Boulder, union organizing was...
All of Moira Coogan's life, a muse has watched over her, instilling in her the values that have made her the socially aware educator and union leader she is today.
From an early age, Moira's mother, Mary Jo Kishel Coogan, a follower of liberation theology, was committed to social justice and civil rights, following the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. At 16, she boarded a bus with Quakers to attend the 1963 March on Washington.
Later, as a divorced mother with no time to earn her doctorate, Mary Jo worked on policy analysis in the Office of the President at the University of Colorado, where Moira was raised. Moira says, "My mother taught me that we should talk to the janitor the same way we talk to the college president." She also encouraged Moira to earn her doctorate someday, saying, "It will be like a union card."
It was no wonder that Moira earned her master's degree and doctorate in special education and went on to become president of the Denver School Leaders Association, Local 136, AFSA, and a member of the AFSA General Executive Board.
Her father, Tom Coogan, traveled almost constantly for his marketing job, so during the summers Moira joined him in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and even Jakarta, Indonesia. "Like Obama," she laughs.
Born and raised in Colorado, she broadened her worldview through travel. She says, "I went to the international school in Jakarta for one whole summer and saw the absolute difference between the haves and have-nots, and it stuck with me forever."
She adds, "That's why I want to open doors to everybody. That's what unions are all about. They're about gaining access to power and getting a seat at the table."
When Moira became an administrator, she joined the local professional association. The association reached out to AFSA about organizing as a union and received invaluable advice. When Moira ran for union secretary, her mother — who passed away shortly afterward — said, "This is going to be one of the most important things you do in your life."
Today, as president of Local 136, she has seen the six-year-old union grow rapidly and win two contracts. "Anyone who wants to start a union should reach out to AFSA, and they'll give you advice and connect you to people nationally who've gone through the same thing. You'll feel supported, even today, with the current administration."
Moira also credits part of DSLA's success to the continued support of her superintendent, Alex Marrero, who was once a member of CSA, Local 1.
But when Moira graduated Phi Beta Kappa in English and secondary education from the University of Colorado Boulder, union organizing was...
All of Moira Coogan's life, a muse has watched over her, instilling in her the values that have made her the socially aware educator and union leader she is today.
From an early age, Moira's mother, Mary Jo Kishel Coogan, a follower of liberation theology, was committed to social justice and civil rights, following the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. At 16, she boarded a bus with Quakers to attend the 1963 March on Washington.
Later, as a divorced mother with no time to earn her doctorate, Mary Jo worked on policy analysis in the Office of the President at the University of Colorado, where Moira was raised. Moira says, "My mother taught me that we should talk to the janitor the same way we talk to the college president." She also encouraged Moira to earn her doctorate someday, saying, "It will be like a union card."
It was no wonder that Moira earned her master's degree and doctorate in special education and went on to become president of the Denver School Leaders Association, Local 136, AFSA, and a member of the AFSA General Executive Board.
Her father, Tom Coogan, traveled almost constantly for his marketing job, so during the summers Moira joined him in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and even Jakarta, Indonesia. "Like Obama," she laughs.
Born and raised in Colorado, she broadened her worldview through travel. She says, "I went to the international school in Jakarta for one whole summer and saw the absolute difference between the haves and have-nots, and it stuck with me forever."
She adds, "That's why I want to open doors to everybody. That's what unions are all about. They're about gaining access to power and getting a seat at the table."
When Moira became an administrator, she joined the local professional association. The association reached out to AFSA about organizing as a union and received invaluable advice. When Moira ran for union secretary, her mother — who passed away shortly afterward — said, "This is going to be one of the most important things you do in your life."
Today, as president of Local 136, she has seen the six-year-old union grow rapidly and win two contracts. "Anyone who wants to start a union should reach out to AFSA, and they'll give you advice and connect you to people nationally who've gone through the same thing. You'll feel supported, even today, with the current administration."
Moira also credits part of DSLA's success to the continued support of her superintendent, Alex Marrero, who was once a member of CSA, Local 1.
But when Moira graduated Phi Beta Kappa in English and secondary education from the University of Colorado Boulder, union organizing was...
All of Moira Coogan's life, a muse has watched over her, instilling in her the values that have made her the socially aware educator and union leader she is today.
From an early age, Moira's mother, Mary Jo Kishel Coogan, a follower of liberation theology, was committed to social justice and civil rights, following the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. At 16, she boarded a bus with Quakers to attend the 1963 March on Washington.
Later, as a divorced mother with no time to earn her doctorate, Mary Jo worked on policy analysis in the Office of the President at the University of Colorado, where Moira was raised. Moira says, "My mother taught me that we should talk to the janitor the same way we talk to the college president." She also encouraged Moira to earn her doctorate someday, saying, "It will be like a union card."
It was no wonder that Moira earned her master's degree and doctorate in special education and went on to become president of the Denver School Leaders Association, Local 136, AFSA, and a member of the AFSA General Executive Board.
Her father, Tom Coogan, traveled almost constantly for his marketing job, so during the summers Moira joined him in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and even Jakarta, Indonesia. "Like Obama," she laughs.
Born and raised in Colorado, she broadened her worldview through travel. She says, "I went to the international school in Jakarta for one whole summer and saw the absolute difference between the haves and have-nots, and it stuck with me forever."
She adds, "That's why I want to open doors to everybody. That's what unions are all about. They're about gaining access to power and getting a seat at the table."
When Moira became an administrator, she joined the local professional association. The association reached out to AFSA about organizing as a union and received invaluable advice. When Moira ran for union secretary, her mother — who passed away shortly afterward — said, "This is going to be one of the most important things you do in your life."
Today, as president of Local 136, she has seen the six-year-old union grow rapidly and win two contracts. "Anyone who wants to start a union should reach out to AFSA, and they'll give you advice and connect you to people nationally who've gone through the same thing. You'll feel supported, even today, with the current administration."
Moira also credits part of DSLA's success to the continued support of her superintendent, Alex Marrero, who was once a member of CSA, Local 1.
But when Moira graduated Phi Beta Kappa in English and secondary education from the University of Colorado Boulder, union organizing was...
All of Moira Coogan's life, a muse has watched over her, instilling in her the values that have made her the socially aware educator and union leader she is today.
From an early age, Moira's mother, Mary Jo Kishel Coogan, a follower of liberation theology, was committed to social justice and civil rights, following the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. At 16, she boarded a bus with Quakers to attend the 1963 March on Washington.
Later, as a divorced mother with no time to earn her doctorate, Mary Jo worked on policy analysis in the Office of the President at the University of Colorado, where Moira was raised. Moira says, "My mother taught me that we should talk to the janitor the same way we talk to the college president." She also encouraged Moira to earn her doctorate someday, saying, "It will be like a union card."
It was no wonder that Moira earned her master's degree and doctorate in special education and went on to become president of the Denver School Leaders Association, Local 136, AFSA, and a member of the AFSA General Executive Board.
Her father, Tom Coogan, traveled almost constantly for his marketing job, so during the summers Moira joined him in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and even Jakarta, Indonesia. "Like Obama," she laughs.
Born and raised in Colorado, she broadened her worldview through travel. She says, "I went to the international school in Jakarta for one whole summer and saw the absolute difference between the haves and have-nots, and it stuck with me forever."
She adds, "That's why I want to open doors to everybody. That's what unions are all about. They're about gaining access to power and getting a seat at the table."
When Moira became an administrator, she joined the local professional association. The association reached out to AFSA about organizing as a union and received invaluable advice. When Moira ran for union secretary, her mother — who passed away shortly afterward — said, "This is going to be one of the most important things you do in your life."
Today, as president of Local 136, she has seen the six-year-old union grow rapidly and win two contracts. "Anyone who wants to start a union should reach out to AFSA, and they'll give you advice and connect you to people nationally who've gone through the same thing. You'll feel supported, even today, with the current administration."
Moira also credits part of DSLA's success to the continued support of her superintendent, Alex Marrero, who was once a member of CSA, Local 1.
But when Moira graduated Phi Beta Kappa in English and secondary education from the University of Colorado Boulder, union organizing was...
All of Moira Coogan's life, a muse has watched over her, instilling in her the values that have made her the socially aware educator and union leader she is today.
From an early age, Moira's mother, Mary Jo Kishel Coogan, a follower of liberation theology, was committed to social justice and civil rights, following the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. At 16, she boarded a bus with Quakers to attend the 1963 March on Washington.
Later, as a divorced mother with no time to earn her doctorate, Mary Jo worked on policy analysis in the Office of the President at the University of Colorado, where Moira was raised. Moira says, "My mother taught me that we should talk to the janitor the same way we talk to the college president." She also encouraged Moira to earn her doctorate someday, saying, "It will be like a union card."
It was no wonder that Moira earned her master's degree and doctorate in special education and went on to become president of the Denver School Leaders Association, Local 136, AFSA, and a member of the AFSA General Executive Board.
Her father, Tom Coogan, traveled almost constantly for his marketing job, so during the summers Moira joined him in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and even Jakarta, Indonesia. "Like Obama," she laughs.
Born and raised in Colorado, she broadened her worldview through travel. She says, "I went to the international school in Jakarta for one whole summer and saw the absolute difference between the haves and have-nots, and it stuck with me forever."
She adds, "That's why I want to open doors to everybody. That's what unions are all about. They're about gaining access to power and getting a seat at the table."
When Moira became an administrator, she joined the local professional association. The association reached out to AFSA about organizing as a union and received invaluable advice. When Moira ran for union secretary, her mother — who passed away shortly afterward — said, "This is going to be one of the most important things you do in your life."
Today, as president of Local 136, she has seen the six-year-old union grow rapidly and win two contracts. "Anyone who wants to start a union should reach out to AFSA, and they'll give you advice and connect you to people nationally who've gone through the same thing. You'll feel supported, even today, with the current administration."
Moira also credits part of DSLA's success to the continued support of her superintendent, Alex Marrero, who was once a member of CSA, Local 1.
But when Moira graduated Phi Beta Kappa in English and secondary education from the University of Colorado Boulder, union organizing was...
All of Moira Coogan's life, a muse has watched over her, instilling in her the values that have made her the socially aware educator and union leader she is today.
From an early age, Moira's mother, Mary Jo Kishel Coogan, a follower of liberation theology, was committed to social justice and civil rights, following the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. At 16, she boarded a bus with Quakers to attend the 1963 March on Washington.
Later, as a divorced mother with no time to earn her doctorate, Mary Jo worked on policy analysis in the Office of the President at the University of Colorado, where Moira was raised. Moira says, "My mother taught me that we should talk to the janitor the same way we talk to the college president." She also encouraged Moira to earn her doctorate someday, saying, "It will be like a union card."
It was no wonder that Moira earned her master's degree and doctorate in special education and went on to become president of the Denver School Leaders Association, Local 136, AFSA, and a member of the AFSA General Executive Board.
Her father, Tom Coogan, traveled almost constantly for his marketing job, so during the summers Moira joined him in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and even Jakarta, Indonesia. "Like Obama," she laughs.
Born and raised in Colorado, she broadened her worldview through travel. She says, "I went to the international school in Jakarta for one whole summer and saw the absolute difference between the haves and have-nots, and it stuck with me forever."
She adds, "That's why I want to open doors to everybody. That's what unions are all about. They're about gaining access to power and getting a seat at the table."
When Moira became an administrator, she joined the local professional association. The association reached out to AFSA about organizing as a union and received invaluable advice. When Moira ran for union secretary, her mother — who passed away shortly afterward — said, "This is going to be one of the most important things you do in your life."
Today, as president of Local 136, she has seen the six-year-old union grow rapidly and win two contracts. "Anyone who wants to start a union should reach out to AFSA, and they'll give you advice and connect you to people nationally who've gone through the same thing. You'll feel supported, even today, with the current administration."
Moira also credits part of DSLA's success to the continued support of her superintendent, Alex Marrero, who was once a member of CSA, Local 1.
But when Moira graduated Phi Beta Kappa in English and secondary education from the University of Colorado Boulder, union organizing was...
All of Moira Coogan's life, a muse has watched over her, instilling in her the values that have made her the socially aware educator and union leader she is today.
From an early age, Moira's mother, Mary Jo Kishel Coogan, a follower of liberation theology, was committed to social justice and civil rights, following the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. At 16, she boarded a bus with Quakers to attend the 1963 March on Washington.
Later, as a divorced mother with no time to earn her doctorate, Mary Jo worked on policy analysis in the Office of the President at the University of Colorado, where Moira was raised. Moira says, "My mother taught me that we should talk to the janitor the same way we talk to the college president." She also encouraged Moira to earn her doctorate someday, saying, "It will be like a union card."
It was no wonder that Moira earned her master's degree and doctorate in special education and went on to become president of the Denver School Leaders Association, Local 136, AFSA, and a member of the AFSA General Executive Board.
Her father, Tom Coogan, traveled almost constantly for his marketing job, so during the summers Moira joined him in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and even Jakarta, Indonesia. "Like Obama," she laughs.
Born and raised in Colorado, she broadened her worldview through travel. She says, "I went to the international school in Jakarta for one whole summer and saw the absolute difference between the haves and have-nots, and it stuck with me forever."
She adds, "That's why I want to open doors to everybody. That's what unions are all about. They're about gaining access to power and getting a seat at the table."
When Moira became an administrator, she joined the local professional association. The association reached out to AFSA about organizing as a union and received invaluable advice. When Moira ran for union secretary, her mother — who passed away shortly afterward — said, "This is going to be one of the most important things you do in your life."
Today, as president of Local 136, she has seen the six-year-old union grow rapidly and win two contracts. "Anyone who wants to start a union should reach out to AFSA, and they'll give you advice and connect you to people nationally who've gone through the same thing. You'll feel supported, even today, with the current administration."
Moira also credits part of DSLA's success to the continued support of her superintendent, Alex Marrero, who was once a member of CSA, Local 1.
But when Moira graduated Phi Beta Kappa in English and secondary education from the University of Colorado Boulder, union organizing was...
All of Moira Coogan's life, a muse has watched over her, instilling in her the values that have made her the socially aware educator and union leader she is today.
From an early age, Moira's mother, Mary Jo Kishel Coogan, a follower of liberation theology, was committed to social justice and civil rights, following the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. At 16, she boarded a bus with Quakers to attend the 1963 March on Washington.
Later, as a divorced mother with no time to earn her doctorate, Mary Jo worked on policy analysis in the Office of the President at the University of Colorado, where Moira was raised. Moira says, "My mother taught me that we should talk to the janitor the same way we talk to the college president." She also encouraged Moira to earn her doctorate someday, saying, "It will be like a union card."
It was no wonder that Moira earned her master's degree and doctorate in special education and went on to become president of the Denver School Leaders Association, Local 136, AFSA, and a member of the AFSA General Executive Board.
Her father, Tom Coogan, traveled almost constantly for his marketing job, so during the summers Moira joined him in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and even Jakarta, Indonesia. "Like Obama," she laughs.
Born and raised in Colorado, she broadened her worldview through travel. She says, "I went to the international school in Jakarta for one whole summer and saw the absolute difference between the haves and have-nots, and it stuck with me forever."
She adds, "That's why I want to open doors to everybody. That's what unions are all about. They're about gaining access to power and getting a seat at the table."
When Moira became an administrator, she joined the local professional association. The association reached out to AFSA about organizing as a union and received invaluable advice. When Moira ran for union secretary, her mother — who passed away shortly afterward — said, "This is going to be one of the most important things you do in your life."
Today, as president of Local 136, she has seen the six-year-old union grow rapidly and win two contracts. "Anyone who wants to start a union should reach out to AFSA, and they'll give you advice and connect you to people nationally who've gone through the same thing. You'll feel supported, even today, with the current administration."
Moira also credits part of DSLA's success to the continued support of her superintendent, Alex Marrero, who was once a member of CSA, Local 1.
But when Moira graduated Phi Beta Kappa in English and secondary education from the University of Colorado Boulder, union organizing was...
All of Moira Coogan's life, a muse has watched over her, instilling in her the values that have made her the socially aware educator and union leader she is today.
From an early age, Moira's mother, Mary Jo Kishel Coogan, a follower of liberation theology, was committed to social justice and civil rights, following the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. At 16, she boarded a bus with Quakers to attend the 1963 March on Washington.
Later, as a divorced mother with no time to earn her doctorate, Mary Jo worked on policy analysis in the Office of the President at the University of Colorado, where Moira was raised. Moira says, "My mother taught me that we should talk to the janitor the same way we talk to the college president." She also encouraged Moira to earn her doctorate someday, saying, "It will be like a union card."
It was no wonder that Moira earned her master's degree and doctorate in special education and went on to become president of the Denver School Leaders Association, Local 136, AFSA, and a member of the AFSA General Executive Board.
Her father, Tom Coogan, traveled almost constantly for his marketing job, so during the summers Moira joined him in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and even Jakarta, Indonesia. "Like Obama," she laughs.
Born and raised in Colorado, she broadened her worldview through travel. She says, "I went to the international school in Jakarta for one whole summer and saw the absolute difference between the haves and have-nots, and it stuck with me forever."
She adds, "That's why I want to open doors to everybody. That's what unions are all about. They're about gaining access to power and getting a seat at the table."
When Moira became an administrator, she joined the local professional association. The association reached out to AFSA about organizing as a union and received invaluable advice. When Moira ran for union secretary, her mother — who passed away shortly afterward — said, "This is going to be one of the most important things you do in your life."
Today, as president of Local 136, she has seen the six-year-old union grow rapidly and win two contracts. "Anyone who wants to start a union should reach out to AFSA, and they'll give you advice and connect you to people nationally who've gone through the same thing. You'll feel supported, even today, with the current administration."
Moira also credits part of DSLA's success to the continued support of her superintendent, Alex Marrero, who was once a member of CSA, Local 1.
But when Moira graduated Phi Beta Kappa in English and secondary education from the University of Colorado Boulder, union organizing was...
All of Moira Coogan's life, a muse has watched over her, instilling in her the values that have made her the socially aware educator and union leader she is today.
From an early age, Moira's mother, Mary Jo Kishel Coogan, a follower of liberation theology, was committed to social justice and civil rights, following the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. At 16, she boarded a bus with Quakers to attend the 1963 March on Washington.
Later, as a divorced mother with no time to earn her doctorate, Mary Jo worked on policy analysis in the Office of the President at the University of Colorado, where Moira was raised. Moira says, "My mother taught me that we should talk to the janitor the same way we talk to the college president." She also encouraged Moira to earn her doctorate someday, saying, "It will be like a union card."
It was no wonder that Moira earned her master's degree and doctorate in special education and went on to become president of the Denver School Leaders Association, Local 136, AFSA, and a member of the AFSA General Executive Board.
Her father, Tom Coogan, traveled almost constantly for his marketing job, so during the summers Moira joined him in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and even Jakarta, Indonesia. "Like Obama," she laughs.
Born and raised in Colorado, she broadened her worldview through travel. She says, "I went to the international school in Jakarta for one whole summer and saw the absolute difference between the haves and have-nots, and it stuck with me forever."
She adds, "That's why I want to open doors to everybody. That's what unions are all about. They're about gaining access to power and getting a seat at the table."
When Moira became an administrator, she joined the local professional association. The association reached out to AFSA about organizing as a union and received invaluable advice. When Moira ran for union secretary, her mother — who passed away shortly afterward — said, "This is going to be one of the most important things you do in your life."
Today, as president of Local 136, she has seen the six-year-old union grow rapidly and win two contracts. "Anyone who wants to start a union should reach out to AFSA, and they'll give you advice and connect you to people nationally who've gone through the same thing. You'll feel supported, even today, with the current administration."
Moira also credits part of DSLA's success to the continued support of her superintendent, Alex Marrero, who was once a member of CSA, Local 1.
But when Moira graduated Phi Beta Kappa in English and secondary education from the University of Colorado Boulder, union organizing was...
All of Moira Coogan's life, a muse has watched over her, instilling in her the values that have made her the socially aware educator and union leader she is today.
From an early age, Moira's mother, Mary Jo Kishel Coogan, a follower of liberation theology, was committed to social justice and civil rights, following the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. At 16, she boarded a bus with Quakers to attend the 1963 March on Washington.
Later, as a divorced mother with no time to earn her doctorate, Mary Jo worked on policy analysis in the Office of the President at the University of Colorado, where Moira was raised. Moira says, "My mother taught me that we should talk to the janitor the same way we talk to the college president." She also encouraged Moira to earn her doctorate someday, saying, "It will be like a union card."
It was no wonder that Moira earned her master's degree and doctorate in special education and went on to become president of the Denver School Leaders Association, Local 136, AFSA, and a member of the AFSA General Executive Board.
Her father, Tom Coogan, traveled almost constantly for his marketing job, so during the summers Moira joined him in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and even Jakarta, Indonesia. "Like Obama," she laughs.
Born and raised in Colorado, she broadened her worldview through travel. She says, "I went to the international school in Jakarta for one whole summer and saw the absolute difference between the haves and have-nots, and it stuck with me forever."
She adds, "That's why I want to open doors to everybody. That's what unions are all about. They're about gaining access to power and getting a seat at the table."
When Moira became an administrator, she joined the local professional association. The association reached out to AFSA about organizing as a union and received invaluable advice. When Moira ran for union secretary, her mother — who passed away shortly afterward — said, "This is going to be one of the most important things you do in your life."
Today, as president of Local 136, she has seen the six-year-old union grow rapidly and win two contracts. "Anyone who wants to start a union should reach out to AFSA, and they'll give you advice and connect you to people nationally who've gone through the same thing. You'll feel supported, even today, with the current administration."
Moira also credits part of DSLA's success to the continued support of her superintendent, Alex Marrero, who was once a member of CSA, Local 1.
But when Moira graduated Phi Beta Kappa in English and secondary education from the University of Colorado Boulder, union organizing was...
All of Moira Coogan's life, a muse has watched over her, instilling in her the values that have made her the socially aware educator and union leader she is today.
From an early age, Moira's mother, Mary Jo Kishel Coogan, a follower of liberation theology, was committed to social justice and civil rights, following the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. At 16, she boarded a bus with Quakers to attend the 1963 March on Washington.
Later, as a divorced mother with no time to earn her doctorate, Mary Jo worked on policy analysis in the Office of the President at the University of Colorado, where Moira was raised. Moira says, "My mother taught me that we should talk to the janitor the same way we talk to the college president." She also encouraged Moira to earn her doctorate someday, saying, "It will be like a union card."
It was no wonder that Moira earned her master's degree and doctorate in special education and went on to become president of the Denver School Leaders Association, Local 136, AFSA, and a member of the AFSA General Executive Board.
Her father, Tom Coogan, traveled almost constantly for his marketing job, so during the summers Moira joined him in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and even Jakarta, Indonesia. "Like Obama," she laughs.
Born and raised in Colorado, she broadened her worldview through travel. She says, "I went to the international school in Jakarta for one whole summer and saw the absolute difference between the haves and have-nots, and it stuck with me forever."
She adds, "That's why I want to open doors to everybody. That's what unions are all about. They're about gaining access to power and getting a seat at the table."
When Moira became an administrator, she joined the local professional association. The association reached out to AFSA about organizing as a union and received invaluable advice. When Moira ran for union secretary, her mother — who passed away shortly afterward — said, "This is going to be one of the most important things you do in your life."
Today, as president of Local 136, she has seen the six-year-old union grow rapidly and win two contracts. "Anyone who wants to start a union should reach out to AFSA, and they'll give you advice and connect you to people nationally who've gone through the same thing. You'll feel supported, even today, with the current administration."
Moira also credits part of DSLA's success to the continued support of her superintendent, Alex Marrero, who was once a member of CSA, Local 1.
But when Moira graduated Phi Beta Kappa in English and secondary education from the University of Colorado Boulder, union organizing was...
All of Moira Coogan's life, a muse has watched over her, instilling in her the values that have made her the socially aware educator and union leader she is today.
From an early age, Moira's mother, Mary Jo Kishel Coogan, a follower of liberation theology, was committed to social justice and civil rights, following the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. At 16, she boarded a bus with Quakers to attend the 1963 March on Washington.
Later, as a divorced mother with no time to earn her doctorate, Mary Jo worked on policy analysis in the Office of the President at the University of Colorado, where Moira was raised. Moira says, "My mother taught me that we should talk to the janitor the same way we talk to the college president." She also encouraged Moira to earn her doctorate someday, saying, "It will be like a union card."
It was no wonder that Moira earned her master's degree and doctorate in special education and went on to become president of the Denver School Leaders Association, Local 136, AFSA, and a member of the AFSA General Executive Board.
Her father, Tom Coogan, traveled almost constantly for his marketing job, so during the summers Moira joined him in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and even Jakarta, Indonesia. "Like Obama," she laughs.
Born and raised in Colorado, she broadened her worldview through travel. She says, "I went to the international school in Jakarta for one whole summer and saw the absolute difference between the haves and have-nots, and it stuck with me forever."
She adds, "That's why I want to open doors to everybody. That's what unions are all about. They're about gaining access to power and getting a seat at the table."
When Moira became an administrator, she joined the local professional association. The association reached out to AFSA about organizing as a union and received invaluable advice. When Moira ran for union secretary, her mother — who passed away shortly afterward — said, "This is going to be one of the most important things you do in your life."
Today, as president of Local 136, she has seen the six-year-old union grow rapidly and win two contracts. "Anyone who wants to start a union should reach out to AFSA, and they'll give you advice and connect you to people nationally who've gone through the same thing. You'll feel supported, even today, with the current administration."
Moira also credits part of DSLA's success to the continued support of her superintendent, Alex Marrero, who was once a member of CSA, Local 1.
But when Moira graduated Phi Beta Kappa in English and secondary education from the University of Colorado Boulder, union organizing was...
All of Moira Coogan's life, a muse has watched over her, instilling in her the values that have made her the socially aware educator and union leader she is today.
From an early age, Moira's mother, Mary Jo Kishel Coogan, a follower of liberation theology, was committed to social justice and civil rights, following the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. At 16, she boarded a bus with Quakers to attend the 1963 March on Washington.
Later, as a divorced mother with no time to earn her doctorate, Mary Jo worked on policy analysis in the Office of the President at the University of Colorado, where Moira was raised. Moira says, "My mother taught me that we should talk to the janitor the same way we talk to the college president." She also encouraged Moira to earn her doctorate someday, saying, "It will be like a union card."
It was no wonder that Moira earned her master's degree and doctorate in special education and went on to become president of the Denver School Leaders Association, Local 136, AFSA, and a member of the AFSA General Executive Board.
Her father, Tom Coogan, traveled almost constantly for his marketing job, so during the summers Moira joined him in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and even Jakarta, Indonesia. "Like Obama," she laughs.
Born and raised in Colorado, she broadened her worldview through travel. She says, "I went to the international school in Jakarta for one whole summer and saw the absolute difference between the haves and have-nots, and it stuck with me forever."
She adds, "That's why I want to open doors to everybody. That's what unions are all about. They're about gaining access to power and getting a seat at the table."
When Moira became an administrator, she joined the local professional association. The association reached out to AFSA about organizing as a union and received invaluable advice. When Moira ran for union secretary, her mother — who passed away shortly afterward — said, "This is going to be one of the most important things you do in your life."
Today, as president of Local 136, she has seen the six-year-old union grow rapidly and win two contracts. "Anyone who wants to start a union should reach out to AFSA, and they'll give you advice and connect you to people nationally who've gone through the same thing. You'll feel supported, even today, with the current administration."
Moira also credits part of DSLA's success to the continued support of her superintendent, Alex Marrero, who was once a member of CSA, Local 1.
But when Moira graduated Phi Beta Kappa in English and secondary education from the University of Colorado Boulder, union organizing was...
All of Moira Coogan's life, a muse has watched over her, instilling in her the values that have made her the socially aware educator and union leader she is today.
From an early age, Moira's mother, Mary Jo Kishel Coogan, a follower of liberation theology, was committed to social justice and civil rights, following the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. At 16, she boarded a bus with Quakers to attend the 1963 March on Washington.
Later, as a divorced mother with no time to earn her doctorate, Mary Jo worked on policy analysis in the Office of the President at the University of Colorado, where Moira was raised. Moira says, "My mother taught me that we should talk to the janitor the same way we talk to the college president." She also encouraged Moira to earn her doctorate someday, saying, "It will be like a union card."
It was no wonder that Moira earned her master's degree and doctorate in special education and went on to become president of the Denver School Leaders Association, Local 136, AFSA, and a member of the AFSA General Executive Board.
Her father, Tom Coogan, traveled almost constantly for his marketing job, so during the summers Moira joined him in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and even Jakarta, Indonesia. "Like Obama," she laughs.
Born and raised in Colorado, she broadened her worldview through travel. She says, "I went to the international school in Jakarta for one whole summer and saw the absolute difference between the haves and have-nots, and it stuck with me forever."
She adds, "That's why I want to open doors to everybody. That's what unions are all about. They're about gaining access to power and getting a seat at the table."
When Moira became an administrator, she joined the local professional association. The association reached out to AFSA about organizing as a union and received invaluable advice. When Moira ran for union secretary, her mother — who passed away shortly afterward — said, "This is going to be one of the most important things you do in your life."
Today, as president of Local 136, she has seen the six-year-old union grow rapidly and win two contracts. "Anyone who wants to start a union should reach out to AFSA, and they'll give you advice and connect you to people nationally who've gone through the same thing. You'll feel supported, even today, with the current administration."
Moira also credits part of DSLA's success to the continued support of her superintendent, Alex Marrero, who was once a member of CSA, Local 1.
But when Moira graduated Phi Beta Kappa in English and secondary education from the University of Colorado Boulder, union organizing was...
All of Moira Coogan's life, a muse has watched over her, instilling in her the values that have made her the socially aware educator and union leader she is today.
From an early age, Moira's mother, Mary Jo Kishel Coogan, a follower of liberation theology, was committed to social justice and civil rights, following the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. At 16, she boarded a bus with Quakers to attend the 1963 March on Washington.
Later, as a divorced mother with no time to earn her doctorate, Mary Jo worked on policy analysis in the Office of the President at the University of Colorado, where Moira was raised. Moira says, "My mother taught me that we should talk to the janitor the same way we talk to the college president." She also encouraged Moira to earn her doctorate someday, saying, "It will be like a union card."
It was no wonder that Moira earned her master's degree and doctorate in special education and went on to become president of the Denver School Leaders Association, Local 136, AFSA, and a member of the AFSA General Executive Board.
Her father, Tom Coogan, traveled almost constantly for his marketing job, so during the summers Moira joined him in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and even Jakarta, Indonesia. "Like Obama," she laughs.
Born and raised in Colorado, she broadened her worldview through travel. She says, "I went to the international school in Jakarta for one whole summer and saw the absolute difference between the haves and have-nots, and it stuck with me forever."
She adds, "That's why I want to open doors to everybody. That's what unions are all about. They're about gaining access to power and getting a seat at the table."
When Moira became an administrator, she joined the local professional association. The association reached out to AFSA about organizing as a union and received invaluable advice. When Moira ran for union secretary, her mother — who passed away shortly afterward — said, "This is going to be one of the most important things you do in your life."
Today, as president of Local 136, she has seen the six-year-old union grow rapidly and win two contracts. "Anyone who wants to start a union should reach out to AFSA, and they'll give you advice and connect you to people nationally who've gone through the same thing. You'll feel supported, even today, with the current administration."
Moira also credits part of DSLA's success to the continued support of her superintendent, Alex Marrero, who was once a member of CSA, Local 1.
But when Moira graduated Phi Beta Kappa in English and secondary education from the University of Colorado Boulder, union organizing was...
