CHICAGO TEACHER UNION ACTIVIST GEORGE SCHMIDT DIES

We were very saddened to learn about the passing of George Schmidt, the editor of Substance News out in Chicago. He died at age 71 from lung cancer. George was instrumental in getting dissidents elected as leaders of the Chicago Teachers Union. Even so, right up until the end, he had no problem criticizing those leaders even in the age of Janus when unions are under attack from outside.

He also was a man who truly stood by his convictions when he published state standardized exams in Chicago and as a result was fired from his teaching job for exposing the tests with all of their flaws. George was a man who did what he believed in no matter the consequences. We can all learn from that and try to live that way.

I only met George once but we corresponded on email a bunch of times. George was influential on bloggers such as Norm Scott and me.

George was a school safety person within the Chicago Teachers Union for a time and he did not think students should get away with anything. He believed in consequences for poor behavior.

Our thoughts and prayers go to his wife Sharon and their three sons.

Here is a part of the obituary Sharon wrote in Substance:

George's multifaceted career spanned five decades. He helped many thousands of people with his tireless energy, intense focus, intellectual gifts, desire to serve and unwavering commitment to the the truth.

A University of Chicago alumnus, George was a brilliant English teacher, who worked inside his classroom and within the Chicago Teachers Union – serving in various roles including delegate, mentor, consultant and researcher – for quality education for students and fairness for school workers.

While he believed that public schools and unions are essential in improving the lives of working class people, George knew the institutions need watching. He used print newspapers and an online news service to hold accountable those in power. Much of his ongoing critique of the Chicago Board of Education was against racist policies.