Ms. Pederson has been a teacher in Santa Fe High’s Ability Focused Learning Center since 2002, where she teaches “functional academics” such as math, history, and science.

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Ms. Pederson attended Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo. She moved to Santa Fe in 1987. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in anthropology.

“I enjoy teaching because I get to work with the best kids in our district,” she said.

Ms. Pederson’s husband, Chris Pederson, is a history teacher at SFHS. Both of their daughters graduated from the school and are now studying at UNM.