Thursday, July 17, 2025
Serving more than three decades of leadership in public education — and ten transformative years at the helm of the Baldwin School District — Superintendent Shari Camhi is preparing to step away from her post.
Camhi, who was appointed superintendent in 2014, has overseen a decade of major accomplishments in Baldwin, including sharp increases in college-level coursework, the creation of profession-based academies, and a 99 percent high school graduation rate. Her retirement marks the end of a chapter defined by innovation, student-focused initiatives, and a national reputation for forward-thinking leadership.
“There are lots of reasons why you decide to retire when you do,” Camhi said. “It’s a very personal decision. But I think the district is phenomenal — the work being done here cannot be compared to anywhere else. And to be able to hand it off at a time when everything is running so well, to protect that system and help ensure that work continues, it just felt like the right time.”
Camhi’s career in education spans over 30 years, including work in New York state and consulting roles in rural, suburban, and urban school districts across the country. Her approach has consistently focused on innovation, civic readiness, critical thinking, and early career exploration.
During her tenure in Baldwin, Camhi implemented a series of sweeping changes to modernize learning and better prepare students for the future workforce. Among her initiatives were the creation of seven profession-based academies at the high school, where students engage in rigorous coursework connected directly to industry partners and real-world learning experiences.
She also championed the district’s “enrichment for all” model, expanding opportunities so that every student — not just those labeled “advanced,” could engage in hands-on, relevant learning. Classrooms across Baldwin were redesigned to reflect collaborative workspaces found in modern industries, encouraging entrepreneurial thinking and inquiry-based instruction as early as kindergarten.
“If there’s one thing, I’m most proud of, it’s how the entire system — educators, staff, parents, the community — moved together to create a forward-thinking culture,” Camhi said. “That cultural shift has created a school system that is unique and positioned to keep moving forward, no matter what.”
Camhi’s influence reached well beyond Baldwin. From 2021 to 2023, she served as president of the national School Superintendents Association, sharing best practices with over 13,000 superintendents and helping lead national conversations on innovation, student well-being, professional learning, and media literacy.
Nassau County Legislator Debra Mulé, who represents Baldwin, voiced admiration for Camhi’s leadership and local impact.
“The school district is generally the heart of any community,” Mulé said, “and Dr. Camhi really made that something all of Baldwin can be proud of.”
Susan Cools, a trustee on the Baldwin Board of Education, echoed that sentiment.
“I became a board member approximately two years after Dr. Camhi came to Baldwin. It was immediately clear that she has an uncanny ability to see and plan five years ahead,” Cools said. “Her love of the kids and passion for bringing them the most innovative, quality education possible is both admirable and inspiring.
“Dr. Camhi has fought hard to change the way education looks, how it is accessed, and how it is implemented,” she continued. “It has truly been an honor to serve on the board with her at the helm, and I wish her only the best in her next chapter.”
She has presented at national education conferences and hosted school leaders from across the country in Baldwin, gaining attention for her district’s progressive practices. Under her leadership, Baldwin launched two in-school wellness centers — the most recent of which opened this year — offering physical and mental health care services at no cost to families.
“Every student — no matter where they live — deserves excellence,” Camhi said. “I’ve heard from educators in other states who want to create their own version of what Baldwin has. That’s what I hope continues: the innovation, the student-centered learning, and the systems that make it all possible.”
Camhi helped launch the Redefining Ready New York initiative and hosted the inaugural Future of Learning Summit, a first-of-its-kind gathering that united voices from K-12 education, higher education, industry, philanthropy, and the U.S. Department of Education.
Her work has earned widespread recognition. She has served on national education and technology councils, including the National Assessment Governing Board, AACC’s Commission for College Readiness, and the WNET Business Advisory Council. Her accolades include being named a “Leader to Learn From” by Education Week, receiving the ISTE Sylvia Charp Award, and leading the only K-12 district honored by the New York State Business Council with a Workforce Innovation Award.
“Your legacy is in people — not in buildings or programs,” she said. “I hope I’m remembered as an advocate for children and communities, and that the relationships we built here continue to shape the future.”
Even with national attention and high honors, Camhi has remained committed to students at every level. Whether rethinking the structure of high school programs or advocating for equity through early access to AP coursework, her vision has remained clear: schools must prepare students not only for college, but for the world.
As she prepares to close this chapter, she says her heart remains with the students.
“There are no words to express how thankful I am to the Baldwin community for their support and kindness,” she said. “This has been a life’s journey, and I’m forever grateful to have been part of it.”
