“What I like about my job are the kids — just being with the kids and seeing them grow and learn,” said Chris Pederson, who teaches world history and advises student government.

Mr. Pederson, who is originally from Los Alamos, earned a degree in European history from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo. He began his teaching career at Alameda Middle School and transferred to Santa Fe High in 2014.

The Pederson family is highly invested in Santa Fe High: Mr. Pederson’s wife, Diane Pederson, teaches in the Ability Focused Learning Center, and both of their daughters graduated from Santa Fe High —Kelsae in 2010 and Katrina in 2014.

In his free time, Mr. Pederson likes to spend time with his best friend, his wife. He also enjoys making boots, knapping, and being “out and about.”

About his profession he said, “I’ve found that after 26 years of teaching, it’s never the same thing twice. There’s always a new challenge, which makes it fun.”