Meet the Team
Lauren Moyle
Lauren is a dedicated educator, school leader, & coach, where she helps schools build joyful, inclusive, & high-performing environments for students & staff. With 20 years of experience, she has led as a founding teacher, principal, & school leadership coach, bringing expertise in instructional coaching, strategic planning, & leadership development. Her work is grounded in the belief that student success grows from excellent teaching, strong leadership, family involvement & school cultures rooted in equity, warmth, & purpose.
Lauren & her husband, Patrick, have called Cranford home for 15 years, raising their two children, Jane & Declan. Cranford is also in her family’s roots—her mother was raised in town & her aunt & uncle, both longtime Cranford educators, taught & raised their children here.
Inspired by that legacy, Lauren returned to raise her own family & invest in the same strong school community. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Muhlenberg College & a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Relay Graduate School of Education, where she graduated with honors.
Joseph Braxton
Joseph Braxton is running for the Board of Education because He believes that in the process of serving others, we find ourselves. Joseph carried that belief into a career as a firefighter, where his typical work day was to respond to someone’s worst day. There, Joseph learned there are no “problems,” just concerns with solutions. Since retiring from firefighting, Joseph has graduated from the French Culinary Institute and is now an entrepreneur in the food and beverage industry.
Joseph’s experiences have instilled two key lessons he wants to bring to the Cranford Board of Education. A good education opens doors, sparks passions and when nurtured, develops skills that bear lasting fruit. And, to approach every problem with a solution in hand.
A longtime Cranford resident, Joseph is a father of four, and full time husband to the beautiful Erin Braxton. Joseph attributes his drive and passion to his parents, Aaron and Cathy Braxton, who taught him to always act with purpose.
Craig Coughlin Jr.
Craig Coughlin Jr. is a proud Cranford resident, father and dedicated public servant committed to strengthening public education in our community. As Director of the Office of Government Affairs and Community Partnerships at Kean University, Craig builds partnerships between the University’s administrators and educators, the community, and local organizations. His work focuses on initiatives that improve access to higher education and student success.
Craig is an active member of our community. He serves on the Board of Directors for Community Access Unlimited and on the Union County Workforce Development Board, where he helps ensure individuals and families have access to critical services and job opportunities.
Most importantly, Craig and his wife Catherine have a two-year-old daughter, so the future of Cranford’s public schools is a deeply personal issue. He is running for the Board of Education to ensure that every child in Cranford receives a high-quality education in a safe, supportive, and forward-thinking environment.