Fred Bisogno is the Consummate Professional

Fred Bisogno goes about his work in a quiet understated way. The Huntington High School social studies and student council faculty advisor moves around the building with a smile on his face, easily exchanging hellos with students and fellow faculty members. Inside his classroom the veteran educator is comfortable, displaying a master’s sense of command as he makes history come alive for the teenagers he works with.

A 1985 graduate of Northport High School, Mr. Bisogno earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice at SUNY Farmingdale. He studied history at Dowling College, where he was awarded a BA degree in 1991. He completed his student teaching requirements at Northport before landing a full-time position in Chesapeake, Virginia.

“I always knew I would move back to New York,” Mr. Bisogno said. What he didn’t know was that it would take 14 years for him to return. His Huntington High School teaching career kicked-off in September 2005 and he rapidly became an indispensable member of the faculty.

“A walking encyclopedia”

“Fred Bisogno is not only a walking encyclopedia of significant facts and understandings of American and global history, he is also masterful at drawing students into gaining broader appreciations for the big picture and enduring learnings in the social studies,” said Joseph Leavy, Huntington’s chairperson of humanities for grades 7-12. “Fred shows by example that engaged social action in the needs of the community is an integral part of knowing what a community is, beyond what a textbook or classroom experience might teach someone about how society gets along.”

Over the the past decade, Mr. Bisogno has taught a variety of high school courses in Huntington, including U.S. History, Global Studies 9, Participation in Government, Economics, Philosophy, Urban Studies and many classes in the evening alternative school program.

“Mr. Bisogno is a skilled teacher and a consummate professional,” Huntington Principal Carmela Leonardi said. “He is passionate about social studies and transmits his interest and energy to his students. He is able to meet the needs of all students and has taken the time to mentor many of them. His skills with the application of technology in the classroom are impressive as is his commitment to share information and resources with his colleagues. He is positive, devoted to teaching and completely dedicated to students. It is an honor to be working with such a capable teacher.”

Has guided and inspired student leaders

An East Northport resident, Mr. Bisogno is in his seventh year of advising Huntington’s student council along with colleague Anthony Troffa. The pair have guided and inspired student leaders and helped them organize many well-received activities.

“Fred is an outstanding friend and colleague and always puts everyone else first,” Mr. Troffa said. “He is always willing to become involved, especially in community events.” One of those events is the student council’s annual Stuff the Bus food drive that sees the teenagers collecting thousands of items to benefit local food pantries.

When it comes to his students, Mr. Bisogno shows a sense of devotion that knows no bounds. “Fred goes above and beyond for his students,” Mr. Troffa said. For example, he held an all-day Regents review marathon on the Saturday before the exam with over 35 students turning out for the session.

Mr. Bisogno can regularly be found in his classroom after school, providing extra help to those who seek it. But, he is also there for his department colleagues. “Fred never hesitates to share great lessons, material, feedback and great ideas with others,” Mr. Troffa said.

The Huntington veteran obtained a master’s degree in 1995 at Regent University in Virginia. “In the areas of curriculum and assessment design, Fred has taken a leadership role in the department by modeling examples of unit frames and three-stage backward design,” Mr. Leavy said. “He is well-versed in the research-based approaches found in exemplar curriculum design approach, used extensively by both the social studies and English departments.”

“A pretty good hockey player”

In addition to being a valued teacher and mentor, Mr. Troffa describes his friend as a “pretty good hockey player.” Mr. Bisogno even played goalie for the high school team in a PTA fundraiser in the gym. “He loves to share health tips about exercise and juicing with fruits and vegetables,” Mr. Troffa said.

An ordained minister, Mr. Bisogno married Mr. Troffa and his wife, Dana last summer. The two department colleagues have formed a tight bond over the years. In addition to Stuff the Bus, they have helped student leaders coordinate float night, the homecoming day parade and dance, Playfest, Battle of the Classes and many other initiatives.

“Fred’s work with the Huntington High School student government has reclaimed a strong sense of building-wide enthusiasm and school spirit as students under his and Mr. Troffa’s guidance have organized countless socially-conscious programs, as well as fun activities,” Mr. Leavy said.

At times it can be hard for a teacher to keep the attention of his students, but Mr. Bisogno seems to have conquered that challenge, too. “He’s a masterful storyteller and kids love to hear about angles and info about historical events that are not in the textbooks,” Mr. Troffa said.