The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed approximately 140 new teachers to the Junction City and Geary County area this morning during the Chamber’s annual new teacher breakfast.

The breakfast serves as an opportunity for the Chamber to welcome the new teachers and show them what Junction City/Geary County has to offer.

“We are thrilled that you are joining our community. The job’s that you have educating our young people is vitally important. We are very, very proud of Geary County USD 475 and very thankful for the jobs that you all do,” opened Mark Ediger, Chairman of the Chamber Board of Executive Directors.

The new teachers heard from a number of community leaders,  including Geary County Commission Chairman, Ben Bennett, who explained that 50 years ago he was just like them, a new teacher in USD 475.

“I was going to stay a couple of years and then move on to something better,” said Bennett. “Fifty years and I’m still here.

“There are a lot of good places where you could be, but this is one of the best you could ever be. It’s never changed. With the dedication of the community, of the school district, the county, and the city have all worked together to make this a tremendous place to live and a tremendous place to be.”

Bennett also had a challenge for the new teachers,”Get to know people in this community, be a part of it, and give to it as it will give back to you.”

New teachers reported Monday to begin orientation to the district. All teachers will report for duty day’s and professional development days on August 10th. School kicks off for grades 1-12 with a half a day on August 17th and the first full day of school will be August 18th. The first day of school for Kindergarten will be August 20th.