Andrew Scott LaBarre, a longtime Alameda resident and beloved public school teacher, passed away peacefully at home on June 27, surrounded by family. He was 43; he had battled Lou Gehrig’s disease for several years.

     Andrew taught in Alameda schools for 15 years, including ten years at Ruby Bridges, where he inspired hundreds of third-grade students with his nurturing demeanor, critical thinking, and strong advocacy of social-emotional development. He worked tirelessly to plan creative ways of engaging his students, whether through meditation or playing the guitar. To Andrew, teaching was more than a job, it was a calling.

     Andrew was born in Philadelphia May 27, 1979, and grew up in Alameda. A bright, athletic kid, he played soccer, baseball, and tennis; loved pro wrestling (Andre the Giant was a hero); and dreamed about life on two wheels, sketching detailed portraits of motorcycles and poring over his dad’s Cycle World magazines.

     He attended Edison Elementary School, Lincoln Middle School, and Bishop O’Dowd High School, where he played lacrosse and football. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in music at Sonoma State University and a teaching credential at California State University, East Bay.

     Andrew was a talented musician. A former guitarist for the Oakland metal band Impaled, he was as widely praised for his technical ability and creativity as he was for his professional work ethic. He wrote songs and performed lead guitar and vocals on Impaled’s cult-hit album Mondo Medicale and toured with the band across the United States. 

He was also a gifted sound engineer. He had worked with other Bay Area bands Prevail and Ghoul, and he created a solo project called Altar the Sky.

In his late 20s, Andrew became a dedicated cyclist. He enjoyed long, challenging rides on Bay Area backroads, and he was a fearsome competitor in local amateur racing. A proponent of bike commuting, he would always stop to help when a fellow cyclist suffered a flat tire or mechanical breakdown. Andrew’s very small carbon footprint was an inspiration to those who knew him.

     But his greatest impact was in the classroom. He taught soft skills with the same rigor he brought to traditional subjects like math and reading, earning a Gold Star Award for Excellence in Teaching Affective Statements. He encouraged students to consider historical events from diverse perspectives. And he was a lifelong learner himself. Books on equity and inclusion figured prominently on his bookshelf, and he liked to stay informed on the latest research in education. Each year, he would reread a classic text on how language impacts children’s learning to prepare for the coming school year.

Above all, he wanted students to think for themselves and have the tools to express their ideas clearly — critical skills for any young person in the 21st century.

Andrew is survived by his wife Danielle, whom he adored; his parents Denise and Eugene; his sisters Suzanne and Elizabeth; his brother-in-law Scott; his niece Nora; and his nephews Isaac and Andy.

A private remembrance is planned. Memorial contributions may be offered in his name to Insight Meditation Center. For further information, call Harry Greer, Funeral Director (FDR-745). Alameda Funeral and Cremation Services. Alameda 510-522-6020.