Carlita Pederson taught kindergarten through college during her 34 years in education.
She began her teaching career teaching middle school vocal and instrumental in
Burlington followed by teaching elementary in Garnett and Manhattan. While in
Manhattan, she also taught music education methods for four years at Kansas State
University to undergraduate students. Carlita was the Fine Arts Director in Topeka
Public Schools but returned to teaching middle school vocal music as she simply missed
interacting with students too much.
Carlita was active in KMEA acting as both elementary and middle school chair for North Central KMEA. She was the planning chair for KSU Music Education Symposium, adjudicated for KSHSAA, and was a frequent accompanist for many soloists, small ensembles, and choirs.
Carlita had training in Orff, World Music Drumming, and Guitar in General Music. She was named the North Central Outstanding Elementary Music Teacher, Outstanding Middle Level Music Teacher, and was the USD 232 De Soto Public Schools Secondary Kansas Teacher of the Year for 2022.
Beyond Carlita's excellence in the classroom, it was the way she connected with people that set her apart and made her the person everyone wanted to be around. She made colleagues and students feel like they were seen, heard, and important.
Carlita was active in KMEA acting as both elementary and middle school chair for North Central KMEA. She was the planning chair for KSU Music Education Symposium, adjudicated for KSHSAA, and was a frequent accompanist for many soloists, small ensembles, and choirs.
Carlita had training in Orff, World Music Drumming, and Guitar in General Music. She was named the North Central Outstanding Elementary Music Teacher, Outstanding Middle Level Music Teacher, and was the USD 232 De Soto Public Schools Secondary Kansas Teacher of the Year for 2022.
Beyond Carlita's excellence in the classroom, it was the way she connected with people that set her apart and made her the person everyone wanted to be around. She made colleagues and students feel like they were seen, heard, and important.