Neil Olshan

John Bligh April 16, 2023

Neil Olshan, a beloved elementary school teacher, treasured colleague and union supporter, died on April 16, 2023, of a rare condition. He was just shy of his 80th birthday. He taught at PS 19 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, primarily in the upper grades, for 35 years before retiring in 2001.

Arlene Siegel, a UFT retiree who was the chapter leader at PS 19 when Neil worked there, remembered him as a dedicated educator who truly cared for all of his students. “He was just a good old-fashioned classroom elementary teacher who gave everything to the kids,” Siegel said.

Siegel particularly recalled Neil’s generosity to his fellow teachers: One year, teachers were in danger of being excessed, so Neil, who spoke Spanish, volunteered to teach a bilingual class so that a general education colleague wouldn’t lose their job.

Siegel said Neil was committed to the UFT, too. “Whatever I needed as chapter leader, he did,” she said. “He was a big supporter of the union.”

Another long-time PS 19 colleague, Toby Grossman, recalled Neil’s sense of humor, which he used as a highly effective classroom management tool. “He had great command over the kids, because he made them laugh,” she said. “He made teaching a joy. Everybody loved him.”

Siegel, Grossman and Neil ate lunch together at school for years. Once a month, they went out for lunch at the local kosher restaurant that allowed men and women to sit together.

In addition to his work in the New York City public schools, Neil was extremely active in his temple and tutored students after school for their bar mitzvahs. After his retirement, Neil continued teaching English and history at a yeshiva.

“He wanted to teach until he was 80,” said his daughter-in-law Michal Olshan, “and he almost made it.”

At his shiva, more than 200 former students paid their respects. “He was all about connecting to kids, no matter their age and background,” said Olshan. “Just an absolute gem of a person.”

Neil is survived by his wife, Jeannette; three sons; and many grandchildren.