STATEHOUSE (Feb. 20, 2020) – State Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton) recently at the Statehouse recognized Danville’s Katie Pourcho, who was named Indiana’s 2020 Teacher of the Year.
Pourcho teaches art to students in kindergarten through second grade at North Elementary School in Danville. She earned her bachelor’s degree in visual art education from Ball State University.
“It’s wonderful to have a teacher like Ms. Pourcho instilling her talent and enthusiasm in our young Hoosiers,” Thompson said. “Her dedication, leadership and commitment in the classroom is what sets her apart, and allows her to encourage a creative outlet that helps students better succeed throughout their educational career.”
Aside from teaching, Pourcho is a member of the National Art Education Association and serves as communication liaison and coordinator for Danville Community School Corporation’s Art Department Professional Learning Community. She is also a mentor to new art educators and received the Teacher Creativity Fellowship Grant from the Lilly Endowment in 2016.
Thompson said Pourcho is a professional artist as well, with her most recent exhibition a solo show at Indianapolis’ Harrison Center for the Arts in 2019. She completed an art residency last summer at L’Abri in Switzerland.
The Indiana Department of Education has honored individual teachers for their exemplary work for more than 60 years. Pourcho will represent Indiana in the 2020 National Teacher of the Year contest. For more information on the Indiana Teacher of the Year program, visit doe.in.gov/toy.
