Influential Woman · Education
Courtney Lynn Wiltzius
Fourth-Grade Teacher, Escanaba Area Public Schools
Escanaba, MI 49829
Her Story
About Courtney
Courtney Wiltzius is an elementary educator and doctoral student based in Escanaba, Michigan, with approximately five years of experience in education. She currently serves as a fourth-grade teacher at Escanaba Area Public Schools, teaching core subjects including math, reading, writing, science, and social studies. She also serves as a Teaching Fellow with the Bill of Rights Institute, reflecting her passion for history education and meaningful learning experiences.
Courtney is committed to creating classrooms where students feel safe, supported, valued, and empowered to grow. Her approach extends beyond academic achievement to student advocacy, leadership development, and whole-child support, particularly for students in rural and low-income communities who may face challenges outside the classroom. Through the Leader in Me program, she helps students build confidence, personal responsibility, leadership skills, and positive habits.
Courtney holds a master's degree in Education: Curriculum and Instruction from Central Michigan University and has pursued a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Organizational Innovation at Marymount University. Her professional interests include elementary education, educational leadership, rural education, equity, student development, and history education. Through continued professional development and experiences with educators across the country, she remains dedicated to learning, growing, and creating educational environments where curiosity, belonging, and meaningful learning can flourish.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Courtney
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience, perseverance, and courage, along with the support of people who believed in my potential. Overcoming personal adversity, rebuilding my life, and pursuing opportunities in education taught me to keep moving forward and trust in my abilities.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to believe in my potential and be willing to pursue opportunities, even when I may not yet see them for myself. The encouragement and support of mentors and leaders taught me to trust my abilities and embrace opportunities for growth.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You don’t have to know exactly what the next chapter looks like. Sometimes, you simply need to choose the direction you want to go, trust yourself, and take the next step.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in education is that teachers are increasingly supporting students whose needs extend beyond academics. In my community, students may face poverty, food insecurity, difficult family circumstances, or instability at home, making educators an important source of support and stability. I see an opportunity to strengthen educational equity, particularly in rural communities, and hope my doctoral work will help me make a broader impact in these areas.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are compassion, perseverance, resilience, safety, equity, and advocacy. I believe every child deserves to feel supported, valued, and safe, regardless of the challenges they may face outside the classroom. My own experiences have taught me the importance of having someone who believes in you, and I strive to provide that same encouragement to my students.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.