Tuesday, May 05, 2020

BLOGGER CHAZ PASSES AWAY

There is very sad news to report. Our friend, blogger and long time colleague at Jamaica High School Eric Chasanoff (Chaz) has passed away. From his blog:

Tuesday, May 05, 2020


The Passing Of Chaz 1951-2020 Age 69

I am the son of Chaz and like to inform you that he passed away this afternoon from the COVID virus. My father passed in peace beside his loved ones. We are hoping to have a memorial service for him once we are able to, but for now we are going to have a small private family funeral. Thank you all for reading his blog, following him all these years, and the support you gave him. Thank you.

I'd like to express my deepest sympathies to Eric's family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Eric and I go back many years. He was a longtime Earth Science Teacher at Jamaica High School. Not only was he a successful teacher, Eric was also a strong union activist. He stood up for what he believed in.

We served together for a number of years on Jamaica High School's School Leadership Team. Eric was a supporter of empowering the students and the parents. On the issue of school safety, he was able to help us establish school policies that ensured a safe building while still maintaining student rights. When it came to standing up for teachers, Eric was a staunch defender of the ability of the classroom teacher to have real autonomy in his/her classroom.

That robust defense of teachers sometimes put him in the crosshairs of the Principal who charged him unfairly. Eric was the first teacher to win a probable cause hearing. He defended himself and other falsely accused teachers brilliantly while waiting for his 3020-a hearing to take place. At that time, he became a Queens Liaison with the UFT. When his hearing came around, it was my pleasure to go and testify on his behalf.  I was able to tell the arbitrator how after Eric was pulled from Jamaica, the Earth Science Regents scores plummeted drastically. Our friend Francine Kaalund also testified about Eric's abilities in the classroom. He moved on after he won his hearing but we stayed in touch right up through the first part of 2020.

I encouraged him with his blog and he kept pushing me to keep this one going. We would sometimes run ideas passed each other on the phone. One idea was to have a real meeting of Absent Teacher Reserves where we could listen and talk to each other as regular teachers. We wouldn't talk down to ATRs as the UFT is often accused of doing.  Eric ran that forum in Manhattan; I mostly sat and watched. The workshop he led for ATR's was nothing like an official UFT ATR meeting. Eric ran it like a good Chapter Meeting. It was really interactive. He never once told an ATR that they were lucky to have a job.

Both the Jamaica High School family and the blogger community have suffered a big loss with Eric's passing. Rest in peace Eric.

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

My condolences to his family.I worked at the old Jamaica H.S too and knew him as a colleague.I was very surpiced to see his last time on the blog was April 26 and was wondering what happened .Very sad!!!!!!

Jonathan said...

This is a shock. Thank you for sharing your memories.

Anonymous said...

Oh dear god, that is the most terrible thing to hear, James, and thank you for posting it. I was wondering what was up because he hasn't blogged lately. Please add my anonymous condolences to the family.

I remain anonymous in this space, but I would like to say, James, that you and Chas are heroes of mine. I always read your posts, and there are so few thoughtful blogs for NYC teachers. I am a vet and I like to keep a light social media footprint for many reasons [including avoiding responding to the more aberrant comments that are sometimes posted], but I deeply appreciate you and Chas and the invaluable work you do with these blogs.

My best to you, your family, and Chas' family during this terribly difficult and unprecedented time.

Lydia H. said...

Eric,
You were a tireless advocate for teachers and students. Though we didn't always agree on all the issues, I appreciate your friendship. When I was fired from my job in the DOE in 2013, you gave me a voice to share my story with the education community of NYC. You supported UFT Solidarity in the 2016 and 2019 elections. You never backed away from a debate and you always cared so much about public education. I still refer colleagues and friends to your blog's pages. Thank you Eric.

Anonymous said...

Eric,

Thank you for all you did. Reading your blog and being able to post comments gave me comfort especially when I was first placed into the ATR. It was a safe place for us to vent, to share information without being worried about repercussions, to rip on administrators and a place to find updates. You also respected our anonymity. Reading your blog let me know I was not alone in my struggle as an educator. You opened the eyes of many educators about the many injustices teachers especially those in the ATR faced and yes, you never told ATRs you're lucky to have a job which I heard many times. You understood the plight of those in the ATR and you knew that we were treated as second class citizens. Hopefully someday your dream to end the ATR pool will be realized and some administrators will think twice before they do something unjust to their teachers. You are now among the angels and are no longer being treated like a second class citizen. God wants you to teach a class for him. Thank you once again.

Mike said...

This is sad news.

Eric Chaz was such a good source for information and a great place to vent.

Chaz was a huge ATR advocate and to be honest, as an ATR myself, I got most of my information from chaz’s blog.

Sad, sad day.

RIP Eric.

Francesco Portelos said...

This is horrible news. Rest in peace Chaz. A strong fighter who helped countless educators.

waitingforsupport said...

May God give his family comfort. Boy, life is short. This is stunningly sad. Dear God thank you for Mr. Chaz. God bless him.

Anonymous said...

Very sad news. I frequently read his blog. Provided great information and points to ponder. I am sure he was just as dedicated as a teacher and family man.

Unknown said...

I never knew his name but boy did he make an impact on me. When I was made an ATR due to retribution I was shell shocked. I was led by several people to his blog and admired his approach and solidarity toward all UFT members,ATRs included. My condolences to his family. It is truly a great loss.

Anonymous said...

I am deeply saddened by this unexpected news. His last post was just on 4/26. His blog was an insightful place for honest information regarding teacher rights, teacher challenges/opticals, union responsibilities and retirements. I have followed his blog for many years and will sincerely miss him . RIP the one and only Chaz.

Anonymous said...

Unbelievable. I had the chance to meet Eric once, and we chatted Ed politics. I know I shouldn't be stunned as these past two months have indeed been real, but this news hit me, and it indeed left me numb. His blog was all about grit to me. It was the blog of the trenches, and he discussed and brought up topics that are real for the teachers who had no interest other than teaching. His blog was critical reading, and I learned more from him than anyone who thought they were in the know at my building. My condolences to his family. A terrible, terrible loss.

Anon2323 said...

Soooooo sad! The wealth of knowledge he had was endless. His advice was priceless and his impact on many of us will be great.

I noticed he hasn't posted since April 26th and found that to be odd. Like James, Chaz posts daily or at east every other day. I cannot believe he did not make anyone known he had covid.

If anyone finds out if he got if from school especially those 3 days we were told to be in please keep us informed.

Condolences to his family and everyone who has looked up to and admired the honorable Chaz Blog.

Anonymous said...

When I became a teacher 4 years ago, I happened upon his blog after reading about my extremely difficult principal. I have followed his blog since, and found it a great source of information and truth. I'm happy no longer working under that difficult principal. I feel like I knew this man through his posts, and he seemed like he was an amazing educator from your lovely memories. I'm really devastated to read this having known a few people already that have passed: friends and family and peers.

Anonymous said...

Chaz had retired recently.

ed notes online said...

A sad day for all educators and fighters for justice.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. A light has gone out in the education world. This blog was my go to for sanity and clarity. He will be sorely missed but never forgotten. Thank you again.����������

Pete Zucker said...

Chaz was one of a kind. He did so much for me and for others. I will miss him.

TJL said...

May Chaz's soul and all the souls of the faithfully departed rest in peace.

Like many have said his blog was a must-read and not just a wonderful resource but a wonderful gathering place for people to know they were not alone in their frustrations.

Anonymous said...

I’m so sorry for losing such a strong advocate, and someone who seems to be such a good person. I also benefited greatly by reading his blog, especially on the 3020a and bogus investigation process. From reading his blog, I felt like I knew him. This is a great loss to everyone.

Anonymous said...

He will be missed. I've been teaching now for 8 years, and I was fortunate to find his blog during my first year. In a way, he has guided me through my years in the DOE with his telling it how it is style of writing. You can tell he was very experienced and could see through bs. In fact, I found this blog through him. R.I.P. Chaz.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Chaz for sharing your knowledge with us. You will be missed! I am so glad I found your blog 4 years ago and have never stopped reading. I was shocked to read that message today.

Thank you,
ES

Anonymous said...

So sad for Chaz's family and for the education family who followed him. Please let us know when the family plans a memorial service for Chaz, I would like to attend. Stay safe out there.

Shelley said...

Oh the heavy loss to our cause for justice now that Chaz, who fought the good fight, is gone. Nothing, neither wages nor benefits is more important than justice and equality. Nothing, not this virus, not technology, not even our inept leadership is a greater threat to us all than this, this evil that is the ATR. I can not even say those letters and keep my blood from boiling out my ears. That a teacher may be subjected to false charges, disenfranchised by nepotism, favoritism, corruption, the madness of a boss, and removed from an appointed school, sent to do non-teacher work, hired out like a slave, harassed by bureaucrats, hunted by career assassins, and worst of all, shunned, ridiculed and scorned by the members of his own union, this, no lover of justice and equality can abide. How many dedicated men and women this soul crushing system has tar and feathered and run out on a rail and not a word from our union.

Thank you Chaz for your words against these injustices. Thank you from the many sleepless, anxious, frightened men and women who turned to your blog to find solidarity, equality, and truth.

On another note, I turned to Chaz for help on pensions, TRS, DCP information too. So many of our fellow teachers don't even know that we can invest in the DCP. Another example of how our union, under unity, is a club that keeps but a select few in the know.

Rest In Peace, Chaz. We will pray for you and your family today and light a candle in your honor.


Anonymous said...

He was a true friend to teachers. I read his blog regularly. May his family find comfort during this terrible time for them.

Anonymous said...

Rip chaz. Your blog helped me navigate the last years of my career. I too was targeted and harassed. And I was prepared for the fight of my life and I won the right to retire with all in place after the wolves retreated. My condolences to your family

Anonymous said...

I remember one time I asked chaz a question on his post about the TDA and he answered. I felt so giddy like it was a famous celebrity who answered my question. Chaz was awesome. I will miss him.

Anonymous said...

Ellen said, So very sad to hear this news. I am retired now, but I always came to Chaz's site to learn the latest news. He was a great source of correct and helpful information when I was out there in the front lines. He is someone that can not replace. The students and teachers will feel his loss for many years to come. God rest his soul.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to hear about him. He wrote an informative blog and gave us all a bit of sanity knowing that we weren't alone.
Thank you for your blog Chaz, rest in peace.

RBE said...

I've had to wait a day or so to write anything coherent about Chaz other than a few things on Twitter. The news of his death has hit me hard.

As a former education blogger myself, I felt compadre with Chaz and his passing means something to me, like losing just one more piece of the "old days" from the mid-to late 2000's when I toiled in the education blog trenches with Chaz, James here at ICEUFT, Arthur at NYC Educator and Norm at Ed Notes.

I don't know how Chaz contracted Covid19 and I don't know what happened that he was blogging as late as April 26th but dead by May 5th.

I only know that his death should be a reminder to all of us that life is precious, it goes fast as hell and you never know when it's your time next.

I also know that it should let all of us know just how awful Covid19 is, how it is taking many, many, many good people who would have many more years ahead of them had they not contracted it.

Even if you don't die from it, the odds are you will suffer greatly if you contract it.

I know another teacher-activist who is much younger than either Chaz or I who has contracted it and, as she documents her experiences on Twitter with the illness, I am horrified by just how much suffering this thing can cause.

Stay home as much as you can until there is a therapeutic that mitigates the worst of this disease.

Wear your mask, socially distance from people as much as you can, keep your immunity up, cut down (or quit) the smoking and drinking and try and take care of yourself as much as you can physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Chaz was very passionate about educating people about retirement, but there is no retirement for you if you die from Covid19.

That is what hurts the most about Chaz's death - it came just a few months after he finally got to hang up the chalk for good.

Anonymous said...

He was the type of person we need in the useless UFT.

Anonymous said...

Chaz is gone so now we your crappy blog to refer to. You rely on Susan Edelman for insight and your extremely biased blogs full of personal vendetta's against people/admin you don't like, telling half truths. What a joke.

Anonymous said...

Looks like the real sensitive CSA guy has had a bit too much to drink tonight. Chaz was generally tougher on administrators than James.

Anonymous said...

8:55 You're obviously a principal he pissed off because he told the truth about you. Talk about half truths, what about all those schools that have inflated graduation rates and teachers passing kids who deserve to fail. I haven't seen any untruth in what Sue Edelman reports. People just don't like to see the truth.

Anonymous said...

8:55 Also, there are close to 100 entries here praising him against your one. What does that tell you?

Anonymous said...

855,

Please learn proper spelling and use of English. Did they not teach that in the leadership academy?

Anonymous said...

I find it hypocritical that UFT would reach out to his family after his death and laud him with praise and adoration. While this man was alive he was brought up on bogus 3020 charges, fought them and was given an dilemma of being an ATR. Where was the outrage of injustice? In fact where was the UFT for that matter? The reality is the story of Chaz, could be any one of us in the DOE, I am truly sorry for this passing and wonder who really has the guts to take on the establishment the way he did.

Anonymous said...

They are hypocritical and corrupt.

Anonymous said...

It was a fight against corruption and cronyism something our useless UFT forgot about.

Highly Effective King Clovis said...

I was hoping this was a hoax. His blog was one I went to on a daily basis. Informative, especially when it came to Teacher Retirement stuff. A sad time.

Mark Wilson said...


So sad to hear. I first met Eric when he was coaching girls' soccer at Jamaica h.s. and I was coaching the girls' at John Adams h.s. I had set up a pre-season August-September tournament and Eric readily sought to participate so his girls' team could have more opportunities to gain experience. I also coached a girls' travelling soccer team so a few of the girls on the Jamaica team gained even more experience and an opportunity for soccer scholarships. Not many coaches go the extra mile. I also had the opportunity to meet his daughter who was a very good soccer player. His efforts with the girls' team told me a lot about his dedication to things.
We lost contact through the years, but when I became an ATR I heard that it is important to find out what was going on through a blog called CHAZ. I was happpy when I realized that it was Eric from Jamaica. He provided great insight and information on how teachers could navigate their situation. He will be missed and it was great knowing him for the 4-5 years we worked together with our soccer teams.