The current Jackson-Reed student body has only heard the legend of DJ Barge.
Every Friday during lunch, Assistant Principal Gregory Bargeman, equipped with a record player and some old vinyls, filled the atrium with sounds of pop, R&B, and blues.
For more than 20 years, Bargeman has done it all—lunchtime DJ, library media specialist, head JV football coach, assistant principal, and twice, interim principal. Now he is beginning a new chapter.
Bargeman officially retired from JR this month and will be joining his wife in North Carolina. He will be remembered fondly by students, staff, and the community.
“He is probably one of the most professional, nicest gentlemen that I have come across here in DC Public Schools,” 12th-grade counselor Patrice Maites said.
Bargeman arrived in DC in 1988, and served as an elementary school librarian and a public library manager before arriving at JR, then known as Wilson. “I had the opportunity to apply to come to Wilson. And so I applied for the library media specialist position and I got it in 2001,” he said.
Soon after, Bargeman created the Academic Athletic Achievement Academy, and assumed the position of Academy Coordinator. “I was also the head JV football coach. I’ve done a whole bunch of stuff,” he added. In 2008, Bargeman became assistant principal.
Kimberly Martin, who was principal from 2015-21, reminisced that Bargeman would recommend ridiculous recipes to cure any sort of ailment, a joke among her admin team.
“Even if you sprained your ankle, he would be like, I know what you need to do: you need to take some fish skins, wrap it around your ankle, do ten sit-ups, and I promise you by tomorrow it’s gonna be fine,” said Martin, now DCPS instructional superintendent for JR and other high schools.
On a more serious note, Martin said Bargeman “loved this school so much that his love was infectious. Students around him—especially when he was supervising the senior class—would just automatically gravitate toward him.”
Senior Henry Brylawski agreed, noting that Bargeman was “always the nicest guy around. He really treated kids with the same respect he did with adults.”
Maites, the 12th-grade counselor, said she first met Bargeman when she arrived at JR as a graduate school intern. And, at the end of that year, when a position for a counselor opened up, Bargeman hired her. Maites said that she and Bargeman had a great friendship over the years.
Maites also praised Bargeman’s talent for interior design. “In every office I’ve been in, he’s come in and told me some suggestions for colors, types of pictures, and style,” she said. “I think the best thing about Mr. Bargeman is he’s always positive.”
“He has been the life of the building over the years that I’ve been here, and I know for myself,” Maites added. “I will absolutely miss him.”
In North Carolina, Bargeman’s home state, he plans to take some time off before looking for a new job. “I don’t know if it’s gonna be in public education, but I want to use my skill set and find something interesting,” he said.
But Bargeman said there is so much about JR that he will remember.
“The thing that I’ve always liked about Jackson-Reed, this is what everybody says, is diversity.” He said that JR is a stark comparison to the small town he’s from. “I feel like I am part of the world when I am here,” he said.
Bargeman said he will never forget the community that he was a part of for so many years. “Students and staff bring me joy, which is why I’m motivated to come to work every day,” he said.
Senior Danye Dunston Irving said that Bargeman’s presence in the building will be missed. “He was a leader for our senior class, and it is sad that we won’t see him around in the hallways anymore.”
Principal Sah Brown said that Bargeman has “demonstrated unwavering commitment, a collaborative spirit and a passion for education. He has influenced the lives of many students, staff and families and has worked countless hours to fulfill our mission.”
As a parting message, he added: “We extend our gratitude for his tireless effort and wish him the best in the future!”
