Palatine teacher named state's art educator of the year
A Palatine teacher was selected as art educator of the year by the Illinois Art Education Association.
Joanna Angelopoulos is an elementary art teacher at Gray M. Sanborn Elementary School, where she's worked for 20 years.
The association recognizes art, design and media educators among a "highly competitive" slate of nominees.
"Our awards and scholarship committee found Joanna's professional performance, service, and leadership to the field to be exemplary in every regard and selected her for this recognition," the association said in its announcement of the award.
Angelopoulos was recognized with an Above and Beyond pin at a Palatine Township Elementary District 15 school board meeting in February when Superintendent Laurie Heinz called her "the epitome of a passionate art teacher."
Angelopoulos is a graduate of the University of Iowa and New York University. She participated in the 2008 Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program and the 2010 Distinguished Fulbright Award in Teaching program in Argentina.
"In both endeavors I embraced and learned about different cultures, their history and educational systems, bringing my knowledge and experiences back to my own art room," she wrote in her bio.
Angelopoulos will be formally recognized by the Illinois Art Education Association at its 2020 conference Nov. 6 and 7.