Beloved Los Gatos school aide Omar Qawasmi dies in car accident

The community mourns the loss of the caring, kind, and positive educator who impacted many students' lives.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 9:47am by Ben Kaplan

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Omar Azzam Qawasmi, a teacher's aide at Louise Van Meter Elementary School in Los Gatos, passed away on November 21, 2025 after a solo car accident. Qawasmi was remembered by parents and colleagues as a warm, friendly, and dedicated educator who deeply cared about the students and community.

Why it matters

Qawasmi's death has deeply impacted the close-knit school community, where he was known for his kindness, positivity, and genuine care for the students. His passing highlights the importance of school staff who go above and beyond to support and nurture young learners.

The details

Qawasmi, 33, worked as a teacher's aide at Van Meter Elementary and was also the director of the school's Clubhouse program. Prior to that, he held roles in recreation, parks, and tourism administration, as well as summer camp supervision. Colleagues and parents described him as someone who treated the students like family and always had a smile on his face.

  • Qawasmi passed away on November 21, 2025.
  • He was buried at Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose on December 11, 2025.

The players

Omar Azzam Qawasmi

A 33-year-old teacher's aide at Louise Van Meter Elementary School in Los Gatos who passed away in a solo car accident.

Susan Navarrete Qawasmi

Qawasmi's mother, who passed away in 2018.

Azzam Qawasmi

Qawasmi's father.

Burgandy Barboza

Qawasmi's partner.

Michelle Huntley

A parent of a Van Meter Elementary student who expressed grief over Qawasmi's passing.

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What they’re saying

“Van Meter Elementary will not be the same without Omar's smiling, happy, warm and always friendly face around. He brightened everyone's mood and genuinely cared about people.”

— Emily Baratzadeh, Parent of Van Meter Elementary student (Obituary page)

“He treated kids as though they were family members, and I will truly miss seeing him around. He made a huge impact during his short time.”

— Emily Baratzadeh, Parent of Van Meter Elementary student (Obituary page)

“He cared deeply about what we were building, about his friends and family, and even about our customers. He took a real interest in the lives of others and always wanted to know that the people he loved were doing well.”

— Wendy and Felipe Bravo, Owners of Fox Tale Fermentation Project (Email to news organization)

The takeaway

Qawasmi's passing highlights the profound impact that dedicated school staff can have on students' lives, and the importance of nurturing caring, supportive environments in educational settings. His memory will live on through the many lives he touched during his short but meaningful career.