Bio
Hi! I’m Katie Todd, also known as Katie T—an elementary music educator, professional development trainer, and children’s music artist based in Kansas. For more than a decade, my work has lived at the joyful intersection of music, education, and community, where curiosity, creativity, and connection take center stage.
I currently teach K–4 elementary music at Maize Elementary School, where I’ve been part of the Maize USD 266 community since 2015. I hold both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Music Education from Kansas State University, and I maintain a Professional Teaching License in the state of Kansas. Teaching young learners how to express themselves through music—and helping fellow educators do the same—is at the heart of everything I do.
Beyond the classroom, I serve as a Music Education Professional Development Trainer, a student teacher mentor for Kansas State University, and a mentor teacher within my district. I regularly present at state and national conferences, including the Kansas Music Education Association and the Children’s Music Network, where my sessions focus on authentic teaching, inclusive classrooms, and real-world music learning. In 2025, I joined the Board of Directors for the Children’s Music Network, furthering my commitment to supporting educators and artists who create meaningful music for children.
As Katie T, I’m also an active children’s music artist and performer. I collaborate with nationally recognized artists, perform at community and family-focused events, and create original music rooted in emotional literacy, imagination, and joy. My work includes studio recordings, conference performances, public library concerts, city events, and weekly family music programming. I just released my first album “A Little Make Believe” on all streaming platforms, and I was featured on the song “Good Day,”a finalist in the USA Songwriting Competition.
One of my proudest accomplishments is facilitating live artist collaborations within my elementary music classroom—introducing students to over 70 songs by 40+ children’s music artists. These experiences allow students to see music as a living, breathing art form and to recognize themselves as creators, collaborators, and listeners.
My work has been recognized with several honors, including the Music for All Elementary Excellence Award, the Celebrating Excellence in Education Award, and a Maize Education Foundation Challenge Grant. While awards are meaningful, what motivates me most is creating spaces where children feel safe to sing, move, explore, and be fully themselves.
Whether I’m teaching, mentoring, performing, or songwriting, my goal is simple:
to teach students—not just standards—and to build joyful, inclusive musical experiences that last well beyond the classroom.
