On April 18, BAHS Band Director and music teacher Mr. Caleb “Barchie” Rebarchak announced his resignation from Bellefonte to BASD families and students. This heartbreaking announcement had students in tears.
Mr. Rebarchak began working for Bellefonte a few years ago as a substitute teacher. He would often try to sub as often as he could, especially when the former Band Director Mr. Jay Zimmerma announced his retirement.
“This was a position that had interested me for a few years, growing up in the area and knowing people who were currently working or had worked here before,” Mr. Rebarchak said. “I saw a lot of potential to continue to build on the things that had been established here already, and add to that.”
Junior Allison Nicholls, a student of Mr. Rebarchak’s Rock Studio class, reminisces about the moments that she and Mr. Rebarchak shared.
“What I’ll miss most is just his passion for music. Every time he talks you can feel his excitement and genuine interest in what he’s doing, and that energy transfers to everyone in the room… He just has this energy and a passion for music that makes even the most mundane things that I would find boring, fun,” Allison said.
Mr. Rebarchak also remembers the moments that he made with his students at Bellefonte High and the joy that comes from those memories.
“I love anytime I get to see a lightbulb ‘click’ for a student when they’re enjoying or understanding something on a new level, in any of the classes that I’ve taught. That’s always been a blast,” Mr. Rebarchak said.
Junior Erin Ashe, a clarinet player in Bellefonte High’s band, will miss Mr. Rebarchak not only for his teaching, but also for his kind and caring attitude towards his students.
“Rebarchak treats us like we are people and treats us with respect. He always has the nicest things to say and the best jokes to make. Even on the worst days he still says ‘it’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood, folks.’ I will miss his cheery personality and being able to be a big band family,” Erin said.
Mr. Rebarchak’s post-resignation plans are to further his knowledge in the subject that he teaches, but he doesn’t plan to quit teaching altogether.
“The music courses that I’ve had the opportunity to teach and develop, with Film Music and Film Music 2, have really become passion areas of mine, and I felt that the next right step for me would be to go back to graduate school to be able to study those things more in order to teach them better in the future,” he said.
He believes that teaching is something that he’s called to do.
“I’m not sure specifically what the context will be, but I do not plan to stop teaching at all.”
Alumni and former student of Mr. Rebarchak, Samantha Grieb remembers her fond memories with Mr. Rebarchak during Class Piano.
“Barchie was a great influence to me and other students. I remember when we first met in Class Piano: me a freshman and him a brand new teacher to the district. Barchie taught with passion and truly made everyone in class love playing the piano, even if they weren’t the best at it. The high school won’t be the same without him,” Samantha said.
Mr. Rebarchak’s presence within the school will be dearly missed, but the students of Bellefonte High wish him well on his next journey.
