Belcort introduced as new social studies teacher

By MELISSA DUNN

Staff Writer

Social Studies teacher Brian Belcort is extremely happy to begin his teaching career at the NRHEG secondary school. In the spring of 2023, Belcort was a student teacher at NRHEG, where he was mentored by Mr. Fuchs and Mrs. Buendorf, the other social studies faculty. “From the first day being in the building, I knew that there was something special about the school, and I would try my hardest to wind up back in the district one day,” he says.  “From my first day, I felt welcomed by everyone, both faculty and students.” 

Though Belcort was born in St. Cloud, his family moved to St. Clair when he was very young; he grew up there and still lives in the community today. The rest of his family is still fairly close by;  “I have one older brother who is married and owns a gym in Northfield, where he works with the athletic programs at Northfield High School, and the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. My younger brother recently graduated high school and is now attending the University of Minnesota, Morris.”

Belcort graduated from the St. Clair school system in 2017, then attended South Central College in North Mankato before eventually finishing his bachelor's degree in Social Studies Education at Minnesota State University, Mankato.  

Belcort says he hadn’t always thought about becoming a teacher when he was younger, but now believes that teaching is what he was meant to do. 

“The main reason I decided to become a teacher was the inspiration I got from local author and retired teacher Becky Brooks while attending South Central College. Becky taught a creative writing class that I took at the beginning of my last year at SCC,” Belcort says. “The way Becky taught changed my life, and her passion for writing rubbed off on me and my entire class. There was a way about her teaching that allowed everyone to feel comfortable and safe in her class, and comfortable sharing our own writing. Since then, I have always hoped that as a teacher, I can have a positive impact on all the students who are in my class.”

When he is not teaching or coaching football and track and field, Belcort likes to write and watch Minnesota sports. He also enjoys watching TV and movies like Star Wars, Marvel, DC, and anime; he also spends a good share of his free time with his family and golfing or playing frisbee golf with friends.