The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

Impacting systems to make sure all students have access to a high quality education and opportunities to develop their talents motivates new Haxtun Superintendent Marsha Cody in her role as administrator at Haxtun Schools. Cody signed a contract with the District last spring and officially took over the lead position on July 1.

"My mother was a teacher and it was always apparent how much she loved teaching," Cody said of entering in the education field. "She loves children and her joy about teaching bubbled over to me. As a young child, I loved going to her classroom and hearing her excitement as she shared her students' accomplishments and I knew someday I wanted to do the same."

Growing up, Cody lived in southeastern Kansas until she was 10 when her family moved to Alamosa. In 1996, she graduated with her Bachelor's Degree from Adams State University in elementary education with an emphasis in science. Cody later earned her Master's of Science in elementary reading and mathematics from Walden University and completed her principal course work and licensure a year later. Earlier this year she completed her administrator course work and licensure and will graduate with an educational specialist degree in 2022 from the University of Northern Colorado.

Cody taught kindergarten, fourth and fifth grades as well as seventh and eighth grade math. After her elementary career, she served as an intervention specialist, which focused on coordinating interventions for students, instructional coaching and curriculum development.

In 2011 she decided to return to the classroom and she taught seventh and eighth grade math for two years.

"It was important to me to see if I could apply the instructional strategies I was coaching with the implementation of the new Colorado Academic Standards," she said.

Later, she took a position with WestEd where she coached and worked with teachers, principals, superintendents and educational leaders to systematically improve teaching and learning in various districts throughout the United States.

In 2018, she returned to Alamosa School District as Assistant Superintendent until 2020 when she was named the Interim Superintendent.

Cody and her husband, Shaun, have been married for 26 years. He recently accepted a position with the Brush School District as a social studies teacher. He also plans to serve as the assistant coach for girls' basketball team.

The Codys have four children. Oldest son Josh is 24 and he lives in Opelika, Ala. and is an athletic trainer. He also enjoys working in the Christian film industry. Daughter Shannon recently married her husband, Trent, and the couple live in Augusta, Ga. She works in finance and also runs half marathons, she is currently training to run her first full-marathon. Meghan attends Metro State College and is majoring in Journalism. Her hobbies include writing, photography and people. The Codys' youngest daughter, Katiegh, is in the eighth grade in Haxtun and likes to write, draw and play volleyball.

The family also has three dogs, two of which are over 10 years old and a young pup, Theo.

Right now the Codys are living near Marsha's sister Debbie and her husband Marty in Sidney, Neb. while construction on their home in Haxtun is finished. When they move to Haxtun, Marsha's parents, who currently live in Ogallala, Neb., will move here with them.

"Originally, Haxtun drew me because it is close to my family," Cody said of her family's decision to move here. "After the community meet-and-greet, the kindness and commitment to community impressed us greatly. Now that I have met with more people for longer periods of time, I have found this community has a big heart for children, is compassionate, hospitable, generous and has great values. I cannot imagine a greater community than Haxtun! I am grateful my daughter gets to spend the last five years of her pre-collegiate schooling here and I get to work with people with such excellent character and dedication to our community's children."

With four children, Cody said the past decade hasn't given her a lot of spare time to pursue personal hobbies, but she does love to read, hike, walk and bike. "I believe there are a lot of things I would enjoy when I have more time available."

Cody said she is looking forward to meeting and connecting with the Haxtun community now that school has started and she is settling into her new position.

"I am looking forward to knowing everyone's names," she said. "I wish I could learn them more quickly. Thank you to everyone for your patience when I ask for your name, again. In addition, I am looking forward to living in Haxtun and getting to know the great people of this community. "