Katie Todd, award winning elementary music educator & children’s music artist, recalls being inspired by the creative leadership of Mr. White, her second grade teacher.

Music is the medium, and helping students feel seen and valued is the goal. This is the fuel behind Maize Elementary School teacher Katie Todd’s music instruction to kindergarten through fourth grade students.

Katie earned her Bachelors of Music Education in 2012 from Kansas State University. She continued her education by pursuing a Masters of Music Education degree at her alma mater, graduating in 2017. Todd is in her twelfth year of teaching and currently teaches in Maize USD 266, where she is admired by colleagues, parents, and students alike.

Katie finds much of the inspiration for lessons from her time spent with her two young daughters, Olivia and Charlotte, and her husband.Being a mother gives her insight into what families need from their educators to help them connect and bond. Additionally, she teaches private oboe lessons, ...