Camden Central School District -

The Camden Central School District is proud to announce that Agriculture teacher Karly Marshman is the recipient of a 2024 Outstanding Educator Award from the Genesis Group of the Mohawk Valley Region. The award was presented on Thursday, November 21st, 2024 at the 18th Annual Genesis Group “Celebration of Education” at Hart’s Hill Inn in Whitesboro.

The Genesis Celebration of Education is an awards ceremony recognizing excellence in education across the Mohawk Valley region. It includes honorees from public schools, private schools, parochial schools, BOCES, and colleges/universities across the area. Camden has been a fixture at the ceremony recently, with the District’s Camp Sum-More-Fun enrichment program and Special Education Summer Program receiving honors.

The magnitude of receiving this honor, especially early in her career, is not lost on Marshman.

“Receiving this outstanding educator award in my third year gives me a sense of pride as well as an internal drive to accomplish even more,” Marshman said. “Every day when I walk into my classroom, I constantly think of how fortunate I am to be in such a supportive district and how much growth this district is allowing me to accomplish through this agricultural program.”

Marshman primarily works with students at Camden Middle School. In that time, her presence has been transformative for several District students who have discovered Agriculture as an interest, and as a prospective career path.

She has rapidly built the program from humble beginnings in a small classroom at Camden Middle School into a multi-level, multi-building department that advances student interests year-round, even when school is not in session. The expansion has led the District to hire a dedicated high school agriculture teacher, Erin Curtis.

The department features a comprehensive curriculum with expansive opportunities in plant and animal science for students at Camden Middle School and Camden High School. Animals are a common sight in classrooms, as are indoor grow tower facilities that have been used to supply lettuce to areas of need, such as Open HUB Grocery Pickup events with Connected Community Schools. A greenhouse at Camden Middle School is also under construction.

Many of these opportunities have been created by Marshman’s incredible knack for developing strong community partnerships, an affinity for outside-the-box learning ideas, and her acquisition of over $25,000 in grant funding to add classroom equipment for essential hands-on learning. When you walk into the Agriculture Room, you could see students arranging flowers, growing vegetables, dissecting eggs, or learning about a live furry friend up close. The chaotic moments of classroom activity created during these hands-on opportunities are an exciting time on the job.

“My favorite thing every day is the organized chaos that unfolds during my day,” Marshman said. “That’s when I know students are learning the most!”

Principal Brittany DerCola has had a front row seat to many of these moments, and is excited for Marshman to add this well-deserved honor to her list of accomplishments.

"Karly is deeply attuned to the needs and interests of her students," DerCola said. "She has created a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels safe and valued. Her dedication, visibility, and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable asset to both the school and the district."

The opportunities continue beyond the school day. The Camden FFA Chapter was re-established for the first time in decades under Marshman’s leadership. It serves students at the middle school and high school levels. The reborn chapter recently took its first student to the FFA National Convention in Indianapolis, as senior Patrick Eveleth attended this Fall.

In the Summer, Marshman hosts a two-week Agriculture course through the Camp Sum-More-Fun Summer Enrichment Program, where she leads her students through fast-paced experiential learning. She also brings students to compete in Agriculture shows at fairs, such as the Boonville Oneida County Fair and the New York State Fair.

When one looks at Marshman’s career at Camden, it forms a list of ongoing accomplishments far too numerous to mention here. She goes above and beyond not just for a paycheck, but to deliver every student the opportunity to reach their potential.

“The students are the reason I show up every day,” Marshman said. “Each student makes me want to do more for them and set them up for success.”

While working with her students today, she is also constantly thinking about what tomorrow could hold. Her exciting visions for the future include building animal science facilities at Camden High School, and expanding the subject’s curriculum across all District buildings.

Congratulations to Karly on a job well-done, and an exciting future ahead.