Faculty of the Week: Michael McLaughlin

By Maya Cohen, Angela Zhang

While it may be a surprise to many, Science Instructor Michael McLaughlin never expected to spend most of his time with students in the classroom. Before he began teaching, Science Instructor Michael McLaughlin believed that he would be involved in forensic science, and work in the sheriff’s department. He immersed himself in a number of pursuits towards this career, including an internship at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) during college. Ultimately, however, McLaughlin found that this path was not for him. He decided to leave the sheriff’s academy, joking that it was because he couldn’t march in rhythm.

“Fortunately,” Physics Instructor and colleague Tatiana Waterman said, “he doesn’t need this skill to be a teacher at PEA.”

While working as a silicon chemist for a brief time after leaving the sheriff’s academy, McLaughlin felt that something was missing. “I was miserable. I was stuck in this lab every day, and it was very isolating work. A lot of science is,” he said. “It takes a certain personality to do that, which I realized I didn’t have.” He came to the conclusion that there was one place where he fit best: the classroom.

McLaughlin has since discovered that he prefers to work and learn with others. After leaving his job as a silicon chemist, he seized the first teaching opportunity he came across: a job at a public school in Oxnard, California. He then went on to teach at King’s Academy, a boarding school for grades 7-12 in Jordan.

While there, McLaughlin came across a job opening at Exeter. McLaughlin had attended The Cate School, a boarding school in California, and was already familiar with Exeter when he decided to apply for the position. McLaughlin joined the Academy community as a Science Instructor in 2010, and has since then obtained his Masters in education policy, organization, and leadership from Stanford University.

One of McLaughlin’s favorite things about teaching at Exeter is the students and faculty themselves. “Exeter has students who are highly motivated and bright, and that’s who I have always enjoyed working with. It makes it fun that the students teach me something almost every day. They leave me reflection on not just pedagogy, but also content,” he said. “They ask questions, and then I think, ‘Man, I got to jump down that rabbit hole today and really think about what they’re thinking about!’ ”

“On the other side, I’ve got colleagues here who are tremendous in what they do. I learn from them, and I enjoy doing that,” McLaughlin added. “I like working with people who are teaching me, who are experts; I can talk physics with Waterman one minute and Nabokov with Sysevich the next. I like being around people who are operating at a higher level than I am. I don’t want to be the highest operator in the room. I want to always have people to learn from, and that’s been true here at Exeter.”

McLaughlin’s legacy in the classroom has been incredibly positive, with a teaching style that has been described as being hands-on and collaborative by several Exeter educators. “Mr. McLaughlin is incredibly imaginative and places a lot of energy and preparation so that every class is a chance for discovery, learning, and student-centered collaboration,” Science Department Chair and Chemistry Instructor Albert Leger said.

Biology Instructor Townley Chisholm agreed. “Mr. McLaughlin is terrific at helping other people to question their assumptions. He is a stalwart member of the Republican Club and the Outing Club and is happy to be a contrarian in both instances.”

Waterman also cited McLaughlin’s appeal to both students of introductory and advanced courses. “This talent is invaluable to our department,” she said. “Additionally, his wit and gentle sense of humor helps students and colleagues put things in perspective whenever things get tough.”

Outside of the classroom, McLaughlin values the relationships he has formed with the people at Exeter, recalling that a former student of his is now a close friend whom he often travels with, and in fact, most recently went on a ski trip with.

“Where else am I going to meet and become friends with these incredible people than at a school where I live with them, go hiking with them, go out and explore with them, and just have a good time and talk?” he asked. “I love taking students hiking, to the movies, really wherever we can go.”

Rohan Pavuluri ’14, a past advisee of McLaughlin’s, appreciated his commitment to fostering positive relationships with students. “Mr. McLaughlin went above and beyond his duties as an Abbot dorm faculty to invest in making sure we had an amazing time outside class –– he organized hikes, trips to Portsmouth's Friendly Toast, and trips to see movies that had just come out,” Pavuluri said. “He also made sure that we grew a great deal as people during our time at Exeter — beyond our role as students.”

Pavuluri also appreciated McLaughlin’s advice and support. “I could always count on him to tell me that I should take life less seriously, which is advice I’m almost certain every student who has ever gone to Exeter needs to hear. We are so lucky to be on the receiving end of his deep commitment and generosity.”

Toby Abelmann ’19 agreed. “Mr. McLaughlin was one of the best dorm faculty anyone could ask for; he truly cared for and went out of his way to take care of each dorm member.”

“Mr. McLaughlin would always take us on really fun trips,” Senior Wiley Bahr recalled. “We once went on a weekend ski trip as an advisory, and he’s also taken us to see Endgame and get McDonald’s afterwards. These are some of the fondest moments I have at Exeter.”

Senior Stephen McNulty, who has had McLaughlin in various chemistry and physics courses, also commented that McLaughlin is “distinguished by his readiness to meet students where they are.” He went on to explain one of McLaughlin’s signature events, Cornbread and Questions, in which he makes cornbread and opens his space to students to sit and talk.

“I would come mostly to sit in and listen to the conversation and grab some cornbread, but I found myself engaging in much of the conversation as well. And beyond that, he’ll even just pull up a chair to strike up a conversation with you, about the news on campus or about chemistry or about anything. He is, in my view, the most available to students of any Exeter teacher I’ve encountered,” McNulty said.

Abelmann praised MacLaughlin’s ability to connect with students through his frankness and willingness to challenge student perspectives. “He brings a level of honesty in discussion that brings students together,” Abelmann said. “It doesn’t ever feel like he’s babying you.”

McLaughlin’s support and care for students extends to all realms of the Exeter community. As Cameron Frary ’20 put it, “Mr. McLaughlin’s youthfulness is what makes him a phenomenal presence, whether it be in the dorm or classroom.”

When asked if there was anything he’d like to share with the students at Exeter, McLaughlin smiled and said, “I want students to leave this place, and I want them to go earn money. Because if they’re doing that, then in all likelihood, they are building incredible products and coming up with incredible innovations that are moving humanity forward. The best thing you can do for this world is to go out and serve your highest purpose; the market will likely let you know if you are succeeding.”

No matter how McLaughlin enters the life of an Exonian, they are sure to receive a wealth of happiness from his presence. “He brings many laughs, tasty cornbread, witty responses and a great support network for the students who know him well,” Abelmann said.