Denise Juneau believes in the power of public education and is running for re-election as our State Superintendent of Public Instruction to continue to ensure our children get a quality education that creates opportunities for them to be highly competitive in the global economy.
Denise’s parents instilled in her the value of education at an early age. The daughter of two teachers, Denise attended, taught in, and worked with Montana’s public education system from elementary school through higher education and throughout her professional career.
In order to combat a growing high school dropout trend and to ensure that Montana students graduate from high school ready for college and careers, Denise launched a statewide initiative, Graduation Matters Montana. Making sure all students have opportunity and access to higher education and good paying jobs is more meaningful for our state and our country than ever before. Making sure all students receive a quality K-12 education, and that they walk out the door as young adults with a diploma or certificate in their hand, is urgent and essential work.
With a belief that every child in Montana deserves a quality education, Denise has taken on an unprecedented reform initiative to transform Montana's three lowest-performing schools. Juneau has also advocated the Board of Public Education raise Montana’s standards in English Language Arts and Math. These higher standards were created to ensure students graduate from high school ready for college and careers.
Denise is a member of the Mandan and Hidatsa tribes and is the first American Indian woman elected to a statewide position. Denise received a Bachelor's Degree in English at Montana State University in Bozeman. She earned a Master's Degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Denise also holds a law degree from the University of Montana and an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Carroll College.
Meet Denise
