Courtney Eichhorn was the guest speaker at the JC Breakfast Optimist Club meeting at the Hampton Inn in Junction City on Wednesday. Courtney is the new Associate Superintendent in USD 475 following the retirement of long-time educator and Associate Superintendent, Dr. Deb Gustafson.
Eichhorn came to this area after she and her husband, who was in the Army, requested Fort Riley. Courtney was originally from northeast Wisconsin, graduated from Northern Michigan University and received her master’s degree in special education/special education administration from Michigan State University. “School was my favorite place to be. I volunteer at Summer Camp for youth with Downs Syndrome and had an interest in school law. So, special education and law went well together”, she said.
Eichhorn also told the Optimist Club members that once she was hired in USD 475, she worked at Junction City Middle School and Junction High School for three years. She later worked as an Instructional Coach, Assistant Special Education Director and Director of School Improvement. During the 2024-25 school year Courtney was the Director of Special Education for Geary County Schools.
Courtney shared information about the challenges facing those who work in schools ranging from an increase in students with learning and behavior, concerns to recruiting and maintaining staff and the uncertainty about funding from the government. She said “the main thing is the main thing – we keep serving students that is what we do.”