West Side teacher dies of heart disease while at school

(CHICAGO) A teacher at a West Side school died at work Tuesday afternoon.

James Dasher, 58, collapsed while at work at Spencer Technology Academy, 214 N. Lavergne, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

He was taken to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park where he was pronounced dead at 3:50 p.m., according to the medical examiner’s office.

An autopsy found Dasher’s cause of death was organic cardiovascular disease.

This week, a medical emergency took place at Spencer Technology Academy,” a spokeswoman for Chicago Public Schools said in a statement issued Friday morning. “Our thoughts and condolences are with the friends and family of the teacher at this time, and we have provided a crisis team to the school to support students and staff.”