Alumnus Wins State’s Social Studies Teaching Award

Bullard Havens Technical High School teacher Brian Moore honored for exemplary work in the classroom

A Sacred Heart University alumnus has received a prestigious award for teaching.

Nominated by one of his students, Brian Moore ’03, ’04 MAT received the Excellence in Social Studies Education, 9-12 Award from the Connecticut Council for the Social Studies (CCSS) as outstanding teaching.

Moore, a Trumbull resident, is a long-time social studies teacher at Bullard Havens Technical High School in Bridgeport. He learned he won the CCSS award while he was attending the school’s socially distanced graduation ceremony in June. “I was in my car, cheering on students as they drove by with their families for graduation, and I received the phone call that I had been chosen,” Moore said. “It was a great graduation.”

Each year, the CCSS recognizes exceptional social studies teachers. Moore said he’s attended CCSS conferences throughout the years and talked with social studies educators, but he never believed he was on “that level” to receive the award.

“What I do, I do for the students,” Moore said.

And a student recognized that. One of Moore’s pupils, a sophomore at the time, nominated him for the award. “The student took the initiative to fill out the nomination application,” he said. “The student brought me to the table.”

This summer, Moore received congratulatory remarks from the CCSS through a video. He said the whole experience has been highly rewarding. 

Time at SHU

Moore, a native of New Jersey, learned about Sacred Heart in high school at a college fair. When he realized SHU offered an education program as well as a wrestling team, he was sold. He was the first in his family to attend college.

Moore participated in Division I wrestling his freshman and sophomore years but, due to injuries, he had to step away from the team. Instead, he played rugby his junior and senior years. He earned his undergraduate degree in history and his master’s in teaching.

“I really enjoyed my experience at Sacred Heart,” Moore said. “It gave me what I needed to find my way.”

The educator still holds fond memories of his professors such as Maureen Fox, his education law professor. He also spoke highly of education professor Terry Neu, who passed away earlier this year. “He made a big impact on me; he had a unique approach to teaching,” Moore said.

Moore also complimented history professor Paul Siff who helped him with his thesis, and he remembered all the great speakers political science professor Gary Rose brought into his classroom.

Additionally, Moore met his wife at SHU, and they now have two children.

Moore said that, since joining the faculty at Bullard Havens in 2006, he’s grown as an educator. Not only does he mentor students, but also his peers. He trains teachers, provides professional development, moderates online teaching forums, designs curriculum and works with educators across the globe.