Eisenhower Middle School Strings

About the Director........

Ms. Lawson began teaching in Goddard Public Schools in 2009 teaching strings grades 5-6. She is currently teaching strings at Discovery Intermediate, Eisenhower Middle, and Eisenhower High School

Previous Position:

Prior to teaching in Goddard, Ms. Lawson successfully taught and directed award winning orchestras in both North and South Carolina. Many of her students both school and private successfully audition for honor groups such as the local youth symphony, District and All State Orchestras

While in the Carolinas, she played professionally as Principal 2nd violinist with the Long Bay Symphony Orchestra in Myrtle Beach.

Other performances include playing with the Downtown String Ensemble in Raleigh, NC, Strand Strings in Myrtle Beach, an appearance in concert with the legendary country singer Ray Price, Wayne Newton, and the Russell Thompson and the New Stylistics. Ms. Lawson also had the honor of performing with the Downtown String Ensemble for George Walker (the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music) that included a performance of  his work "Lyric for Strings".

Ms. Lawson currently serves as the Director for the Northeast Area Strings Academy of Wichita (NASAW), an outreach strings program for underserved students in the Greater Wichita Area.

Other Special Awards & Recognition

Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year (2004)

Music Director’s Award of Distinction at the Fiesta-Val Music Festival in Virginia Beach, VA (2008)

Named one of the “50 Directors Who Make A Difference” in the December 2010 edition in the School Band and Orchestra Magazine (2010)

Selected to participate in the College Edition insert “Director’s Round Table” article in the School Band and Orchestra Magazine  (2011)

Recipient Wichita Arts Council Art Award for NASAW (2018)

Named SCKMEA District Music Educator of the Year (2018)

Named Goddard Kansas District Teacher of the Year (2018)

SCKMEA Orchestra Chair (2024, 2(25)

KMEA Full Orchestra Chair (2025-present)