Faculty Profile: Bert McLain P’07,’09

Faculty Profile

Bert McLain P’07,’09

Bert McLain is the quintessential boarding school person: masterful teacher, dorm head, accomplished coach, and program director. Whether introducing ninth-grade students to biology or teaching Advanced Placement Psychology to seniors, Bert’s classes are dynamic, relevant, and rigorous. Don’t like science? You haven’t had Bert yet! She is passionate about communicating science to the layperson, and she reaches all levels of learners, instilling in them her own enthusiasm for science and learning. During the pandemic, Bert deftly “translated” data and the science behind the virus to colleagues, friends, and students. In fact, Bert is so committed to science communication that last year, she began a Masters in Science Writing from Johns Hopkins University. Throughout her career at Govs, Bert’s motto remains, “I’ll do whatever is best for the school.” After being out of the dorm for eight years, she and her husband Rod moved back in and she now serves as the dorm head in Doggett. Not only does she serve as a role model to the Doggett residents, she also brings years of experience, a listening ear, and institutional wisdom. She also brings a quick sense of humor and lots of good snacks! Bert is always willing to show up and fill in. This year she took the helm of the Catalyst program, matching Govs students with summer internships in the sciences. When a student expressed an interest in beekeeping several years ago, Bert stepped in as the faculty advisor. More than five years later, Bert has become a local expert in beekeeping, maintaining the school’s hives, explaining the importance of bees to our ecosystem, and even providing honey to the community! We’ve all reaped the benefits of “Bert’s Bees!”

Her teaching and leadership reach well beyond the classroom walls. In her twenty-four years at Govs, she’s coached soccer, hockey, and lacrosse. Bert served as the director of athletics and afternoon programs for nineteen years. An accomplished coach, Bert was inducted into the Massachusetts and New England Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Even in the realm of athletics, she’s modeled a commitment to learning, recently earning scuba diving certification and certification as a Crossfit coach! She continues to compete in (and win!) kayaking competitions throughout New England. Never one to draw attention to herself, Bert has a lot to brag about, but that’s the last thing she’ll do! Anyone who knows Bert knows about her love for her family and pets. Her husband Rod serves as the AP World History teacher in the history department, and both her daughter Alex ’07 and son Andrew’ 09 were married last summer. The McLains share their Doggett home and their summer Maine house with their rescue dog Boazy; two cats, Sasha and Landfill; and most notably, their pig Haru!

Karen Gold P’11,’17 Academic Dean & English Teacher

How many years at the Academy?

24

Responsibilities/Duties

Science teacher. Head coach of girls varsity lacrosse, Catalyst, and a dorm head.

Favorite Books

Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari; The Body; A Guide for Occupants by Bill Bryson; Survival of the Sickest by Sharon Maolem; Anything by Mary Roach or Bill Bryson for that matter. Anything science nonfiction in the life sciences.

Favorite Music or Artist

I enjoy a wide range!

Activities and Interests

Scuba diving, Crossfit, paddling and competitive kayaking, sketching, reading, coaching, cooking, and beekeeping

Passions

My family, all animals, traveling, scuba diving

Education Degrees

BS from Union College; MS from University of New Hampshire; (working towards a Masters in Science Writing from Johns Hopkins University) Photo credit: David Oxton P’03,’08

Beginning in May 2022 and culminating at Reunion 2023, the entire Govs community is invited to join us for a year of events, programs, and stories in honor of this important milestone, and in celebration of the diverse community of students and graduates that has since followed.