Bernard "Bernie" McDermott has a longstanding history with the overall Greene Community, and is currently serving as our Intermediate Principal. He has more than a decade of experience in education, and wanted to take this opportunity to share some information about himself with you.
“It's great to be back, I started my teaching career in 1986 at the Jr.-Sr. High School. Having taught grades seven, eight and nine social studies for two years I then became the 7th Grade Social Studies teacher as we transitioned to middle school. During the years I coached modified soccer, basketball and baseball. My last four years I also taught summer driver education.
I was born in Carthage, NY and moved to Greene when I started at GCS. Greene became my home and a year later my wife Kris joined the GCS family as a fifth-grade teacher. Upon retirement Kris became the library aide for the two elementary buildings. Kris and I raised four children, all became GCS grads. Three of the four have made Greene their home. Having children close allows me to see four of my five grandchildren regularly.
In 2000 I left teaching and started my administration career as a high school principal in Groton, NY. It was a pleasure there to work for Superintendent Gordon Klumpp, who had started his teaching career at GCS. In 2001 I became the 3-5 principal at Charlotte Kenyon Elementary in Chenango Forks. In the 21 years there I had a few roles after being principal for 11 years, ending my time there in the district office as Director of Operations and Transportation. In January 2023 I joined GCS as a substitute bus driver.
Since moving to Greene, I have been involved in the community through many groups and activities. I am a Town of Greene Councilman, and I am running for Town Supervisor in this November Election. I spent 32 years in the Greene Fire Department. A few years ago, I joined the Greene Lions Club, currently serving as president. I am Vice President of the Labor Day Picnic Committee. I also am a communicant at Zion Episcopal Church and serve on the Vestry. While the children were growing up, I served as a coach for the JRC programs of soccer, basketball and softball.
Scouting has been a big part of my life. I am an Eagle Scout and my early years teaching I worked on summer camp staff. I became involved in scouts here in Greene, serving on the Pack 55 committee and later becoming Scoutmaster of Troop 55. Currently I serve on the Baden-Powell Council Executive Board as Vice President of Outdoor Adventure.
In 2020 I started buying items at auctions and opened a “Shop” on the selling app Mercari where I sell antique and vintage household items. Last November I added an in-person booth at Your Needful Things, in Hillcrest, NY. This has kept me active and busy in retirement.
It is a pleasure to serve GCS as the Intermediate Principal as the transition is made to a new principal. It is great seeing many former students as employees and as parents of the children now in school."