Bellport High School teacher Andrew Budris has been recognized by the New York State Council for the Social Studies with the distinguished Outstanding High School Social Studies Classroom Teacher Award. He earned the accolade after being nominated by Jackie O’Hagan, director of the South Country School District’s humanities department.

“I couldn’t have earned the award without the support of my fellow teachers, administrators and the board of education,” said Budris.

Budris credits much of what he has accomplished in his classroom and within the social studies department to the unwavering support that he has received.

Within his classroom, Budris reinforces the curriculum through problem-based learning, or PBL, a teaching tool that he has brought to his co-workers and that has earned him the opportunity to present at conferences at the local, state and national level. PBL, Budris explained, requires teachers to construct a problem for students to solve in groups. It requires collaboration and critical thinking skills.

Budris has also presented on the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness program, which he and O’Hagan implemented in the district in 2022. South Country was one of only a handful of school districts on Long Island last year to offer the new Civic Readiness pathway, an all-encompassing program that teaches students how to apply civic knowledge, skills and mindsets to make positive impacts in their school, community and the world. It also aims to strengthen relationships with community partners and civic leaders. An impressive 95% of the Class of 2022 graduated with the Seal of Civic Readiness attached to their diplomas.

Budris, a Bellport resident, has been teaching at Bellport High School for the past 25 years. He currently teaches AP U.S. Government and Politics and co-teaches AP Research. He also serves as the lead teacher for the social studies department, a position he has held for the past seven years. He taught for two years in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn before moving to Bellport.

The accomplished teacher earned his undergraduate degree in political science from Siena College and his master’s in liberal sciences from Stony Brook University. He is currently working toward his doctorate in learning and teaching from Hofstra University. 

When not teaching, Budris and his wife, Ellen Hoffman, who is an English teacher at Bellport High School, are supporting their three-sport-athlete daughter, who is a junior at the high school. An outdoor enthusiast, Budris also ran the New York City Marathon last year to raise money to support Alzheimer’s and dementia research. 

“I’ve always felt extremely grateful to be a social studies teacher and that fate put me here,” said Budris.  “I love my coworkers, the community and my students and the different experiences they bring into my classroom.”

“We could not be prouder of Mr. Budris,” said superintendent of schools Antonio Santana. “He offers inspiration to his students and peers. Congratulations!”