As our State Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau is working hard for the people of Montana to help give Montana’s children the most valuable tool they can receive, a quality education.  Strong schools can create educational opportunities for Montana students to be highly competitive in the global economy.

Denise Juneau grew up in Browning, Montana, the daughter of two teachers. She attended, taught in, and worked with Montana’s public education system from elementary school through higher education and throughout her professional career. 

Juneau received a Bachelor’s Degree in English at Montana State University in Bozeman.  She earned a Master of Education Degree at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She also  holds a law degree from the University of Montana. 

Denise  served as Montana Supreme Court Clerk for Justices Jim Regnier and Brian Morris and has worked for a national law firm that specialized in Federal Indian law.

Juneau began her teaching career as an English teacher and speech and debate team coach in rural New Town, North Dakota on the Fort Berthold Reservation. She then returned to Montana to teach at her alma mater, Browning High School.

Prior to her election, Denise served the Montana Office of Public Instruction as the Director of Indian Education where she oversaw the implementation of Indian Education For All and a marked increase in achievement of Indian students. 

Denise Juneau, a member of the Mandan and Hidatsa tribes, was named educator of the year by the National Indian Education Association in 2009.

Juneau also serves on the Executive Board of Directors for the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The organization is an accrediting body for schools, colleges, and departments of education recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education Accreditation.