South Country Central School District is proud to announce that the Long Island Council for the Social Studies has recognized Bellport High School teacher Andrew Budris as 2020 Outstanding High School Teacher of the Year.

Mr. Budris, a Bellport resident, has taught social studies in the South Country Central School District for 25 years and is currently Lead Teacher for Social Studies. He has worked diligently to lead the high school and Bellport Middle School in implementation of Project Based Learning. With the input of colleagues, his development of the Kiva Project has provided students with the opportunity to conduct research on global business and economic challenges and to provide microloans to applicants through partnership with the South Country Education Foundation.

Social studies teacher Megan Bevan said, “He has opened the door for students of all backgrounds and skill levels to get involved in research and civic action. Thanks to his leadership, Bellport High School is working to develop a generation of students who are engaged in solving society’s problems through informed action.”

Mr. Budris currently teaches Advanced Placement Government and 10th grade Global Studies and said social studies is a way to better understand humanity. “I have a fundamentally optimistic view that the better people understand each other, the more likely they are to see each other’s humanity,” he explained. “We need an understanding of our shared experiences to build a workable community.”

Mr. Budris also noted that as a social studies teacher he aims to foster critical thinking and the ability to build views that are based on sound reasoning. “The most important skill today is to use critical thinking to determine what information is reliable,” he said. “I’d like to see kids use knowledge as a tool to build bridges between groups of people.”

Mr. Budris is married to high school English teacher Ellen Hoffman and has a daughter, Maddy, who is enrolled at the high school as a freshman. The Budris family took up residence in Bellport 20 years ago.

The South Country Central School District congratulates Mr. Budris on this outstanding accomplishment and extends much wishes for success in his career in social studies.