NEWS

Concord HS community mourns 'unexpected and tragic loss'

Brittany Horn
The News Journal

Hundreds of students, faculty members and friends packed the cafeteria of Concord High School Sunday night to remember teacher Thom LaBarbera, who died over the weekend.

Students, faculty and community members packed the Concord High School cafeteria Sunday to remember teacher Thom LaBarbera, who passed away over the weekend.

Concord High School will be closed Monday following the death of the longtime social studies teacher.

Students and faculty alike shared memories Sunday night shortly after the district posted a message on its website notifying the community of the tragic death. Few details were provided, other than to say LaBarbera had been a teacher in the district for 20 years who "will be sorely missed at Concord and in our community."

Many of the students that filled the cafeteria spoke of LaBarbera as a teacher who inspired his students, one who cared about the children he taught and their experiences at life and school. Many said he was a teacher who helped his students become leaders.

"He didn't let his title as teacher stop him from connecting with students," said one student after sharing a story about how LaBarbera pushed him to be better in school.

He created and maintained a family among those he taught long after they left the district. Some students identified themselves as graduates of Concord from the '90s. Others were still enrolled in his courses.

One woman, who identified herself as a teacher within the Brandywine School District, told students that many of the stories they were sharing with each other were stories she had already heard from LaBarbera himself.

"He remembered and loved all of his students, all of the time," she said. "He never forgot any of you."

For many, LaBarbera found them at their hardest moments. Student after student shared memories about how the teacher helped them get through a conflict with parents at home, personal issues they felt they couldn't talk to anyone else about and helped them find a purpose for life after high school.

One man credited LaBarbera for his reason to serve in the United States military. Another said he was the reason she went on to become a teacher. A third said she returned to Concord High School to work as a therapist because of LaBarbera's inspiration.

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His legacy was most apparent in the packed cafeteria, where people took turns stepping forward to speak. One student live streamed the gathering on Facebook so those who couldn't be at the high school Sunday night were able to be a part of it.

"If there's anything we can do to honor Thom, aside from tell Trump jokes for the next four years," one teacher said to laughter in the auditorium, "is to take that same compassion he had for us and share it."

Many students began posting on social media soon after the announcement of LaBarbera's death Sunday. The Facebook group "Students of Thom Labarbera Remember" was created and past students and friends shared photos and memories.

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The Brandywine School District crisis team will have resources available Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for students and faculty who need support, according to the district's statement. More crisis team and emotional support offerings will be available to students upon their return Tuesday, as well.

"Please know that the District will do everything it can to ensure that the emotional needs of our students, staff, and families are met during this most difficult time," the district said in its statement. "May Mr. Labarbera rest in peace. He will be dearly missed."

 Contact Brittany Horn at (302) 324-2771 or bhorn@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @brittanyhorn.