A La Porte County Life in the Spotlight: Andria Pataky

Andria Pataky grew up in the La Porte area and is a graduate of South Central High School. She attended college at nearby Purdue University Northwest. Today, Pataky is teaching in the area at Westville Elementary School. She is currently in her third year of teaching third grade at Westville.

“With the exception of one semester when I taught kindergarten while another teacher was on maternity leave, I have always taught third grade at Westville,” Pataky said.

Long before Pataky began her career, she knew that she wanted to be a teacher. She considers it a joy to teach and care for her students each year.

“I think that being able to have that front row seat to watch my students grow is really special, and being able to witness that relationship and trust with students grow is special,” she said. “Creating that loving environment is something I cherish.”

Pataky pours her heart and soul into her work, from connecting with students to developing their academic skills.

“The emotion of my work is super special to me. It comes with a lot of passion,” she said.

Pataky considers her work a calling and a way to glorify God. She tries to channel her talents to better the lives of her students and prepare them academically. 

“My faith is a really big part of my life, and I think that the Lord has really blessed me with talents that I can use in the classroom,” Pataky said. “I’m naturally creative, organized, and compassionate; I think that I’m able to use those characteristics as a ministry in the classroom.”

Pataky also works with children at her church, Calvary Church of Valparaiso. There, she is able to put her skills as a teacher to work as she serves in both the children’s ministry and the student ministry. When it comes to working with these different age groups at church, Pataky appreciates each one uniquely. 

“When I work with the preschoolers, they’re such sponges. It’s really amazing to see how much they absorb,” Pataky said. “I do think that in working with middle school and high school, in a ministry capacity, the connection is unmatched. They’re really looking for someone to hear them, see them, and lead them. I think that the relationships come more naturally once the students are older.”

Given her teaching career, it’s not surprising that reading is one of Pataky’s top hobbies.

“I am a huge bookworm,” she said. “I always have a book in my hand, backpack, or my car. I never leave the house without a book.”

Pataky also likes to go on walks and participate in artistic activities. Some creative hobbies that she would like to learn in the near future are sewing and playing the piano at an efficient level.

“I would consider myself creative in anything that’s intellectual or has to do with creating stuff with my hands, such as coloring or painting,” Pataky said.

Pataky pours her heart and soul into La Porte’s younger generation through her talent as a teacher. She is happy to teach and serve students in the same area where she grew up.