Superintendent Juneau Biography and Resume
Denise Juneau leads Washington state’s largest K-12 school district, a vibrant and diverse community of over 53,000 scholars.
Denise became superintendent of Seattle Public Schools on July 1, 2018. Upon her arrival, she launched a comprehensive entry plan and a listening and learning tour. Her goal was to build a longer table at Seattle Public Schools – inviting new voices and perspectives to the conversation and intentionally engaging with families and students the district has underserved.
From this feedback, a strategic plan was developed and will guide the district forward for the next five years. The plan is bold and focuses on supporting students and families furthest from educational justice, beginning with African American males. She also established the district’s first Student Advisory Board. Formed of student representatives from each high school, the Student Advisory Board provides student voice, advice, and unique perspectives to Superintendent Juneau throughout the school year.
Denise’s story takes her from Head Start to Harvard. After graduating from Browning High School, located on the Blackfeet Indian reservation, Denise received her bachelor's degree in English from Montana State University. She continued her education and earned a master's in education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Learning how closely tied public education and social justice were, and after teaching and working at the state education agency, Denise set her sights on a legal education and received her juris doctorate from the University of Montana School of Law.
Superintendent Juneau is an enrolled member of the Mandan Hidatsa Tribes, a descendant of the Blackfeet Tribe, and the Tlingit and Haida Tribes. In 2008, she became the first American Indian woman in the country ever elected to an executive statewide office, where she became the superintendent of public instruction. In 2012, she was reelected to a second term.
As Montana’s superintendent of public instruction, Denise developed a statewide initiative, Graduation Matters Montana, which brought schools, business leaders, community members, students and families together to work toward a common goal – that every student graduate from high school ready to succeed. In just a few years, the state’s graduation rate increased to its highest level ever recorded. She is happy to bring to Seattle, her value of student-centered decision making and her belief that great things can happen in public education when they are steeped in community.
Denise M. Juneau Resume
Education
The University of Montana School of Law, Missoula, Montana 2004
Juris Doctorate
The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 1999
Coursework toward Ph.D. in Educational Thought and Sociocultural Studies
Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, Massachusetts 1994
Master of Education
Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 1993
Bachelor of Arts in English
Professional Licenses
Active Attorney Member, Montana State Bar
Class 2 Montana certification, standard teaching license: 5-12 English, History
Professional Experience
Superintendent July 2018 to present
Seattle Public Schools
Owner and Founder January 2017 to June 2018
Blue Cloud Consulting
Instructional Coach July 17 to July 21, 2017
Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana
State Superintendent of Public Instruction January 2009 to January 2017
Office of Public Instruction, Helena, Montana
As the statewide elected official for K-12 education, the Superintendent of Public Instruction is the top advocate for Montana’s K-12 public education system, including 410 school districts, 821 public schools, 145,316 students, 15,086 licensed educators, and 185 full-time Office of Public Instruction employees.
Director of Indian Education 2006-2009
Office of Public Instruction, Helena, Montana
Associate Attorney 2005-2006
Monteau & Peebles, LLC, Missoula, Montana
Judicial Law Clerk 2004-2005
Montana Supreme Court, Helena, Montana
Legal Intern 2003-2004
Indian Law Clinic, The Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana, Missoula, Montana
Research Assistant 2003-2004
The Alexander Blewett III School of Law at The University of Montana, Missoula, Montana
Legal Intern 2002-2004
Smith, Doherty & Belcourt, P.C., Missoula, Montana
Indian Education Specialist 1998-2002
Office of Public Instruction, Helena, Montana
Teacher 1995-1997
Browning High School, Browning, Montana
Taught 9th, 10th, and 12th grade English as well as independent study English courses, conflict resolution, and Blackfeet studies
Teacher 1994-1995
New Town High School, New Town, North Dakota
Taught 9th and 10th grade English and coached the speech and debate team.
Professional Affiliations
Western Native Voice Board Member 2018
YWCA Missoula Board Member 2017-Now
National Dropout Prevention Network, Board Member 2014 – 2016
Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), Montana State Chief 2009 – 2017
Education Commission of the States (ECS), Commissioner 2009 – 2017
Education Northwest Board Member 2009 – 2017
The Aspen Institute – Rodel Fellowship, Outstanding Leadership in American Politics 2012 Class
Native American Law Students’ Association (NALSA) President 2003-2004
Native American Law Students’ Association Moot Court Team 2003-2004
Montana Indian Education Association (MIEA), Board Member 2001 – 2004
Montana Human Rights Network Board Member 2001-2004
Native American Graduate Students’ Association at the University of MT, President 2001-2003
Rockefeller Brothers Fund Fellowship Educational Leadership Cohort 1997-2004
Missoula Indian Center Board Member 2002-2003
Council of Native American Students at Harvard Graduate School of Education Secretary/Treasurer
1993-1994
Publications
Juneau, D., Smoker Broaddus, M., Halliday, D. (2014). Big Sky hope: How Montana’s SEA supports turnaround in American Indian schools. In. L.M. Rhim & S. Redding (Eds), The state role in school turnaround: Emerging best practices (pp.239-247). San Francisco, CA: WestEd.A
Carol Juneau and Denise Juneau, Indian Education for All: Montana’s Constitution at Work in Our Schools, 72 Mont. L. Rev. 111 (2011).
Juneau, D. & Smoker Broaddus, M. (Guest Eds.) (November 2006). Special Section: Indian Education for All, Phi Delta Kappan 88:3.
Juneau, D. & Smoker Broaddus, M. (November 2006). And Still the Waters Flow: The Legacy of Indian Education in Montana. Phi Delta Kappan 88:3, 193-197.
Juneau, Denise (1998). Oneida Tribal Web Site. Wicaza Sa Review 13:2, 149-151.
Honors and Awards
Jeanette Rankin Civil Liberties Award February 2018
ACLU of Montana
The Jeanette Rankin Civil Liberties Award acknowledges individuals and organizations who demonstrated the strength of character and commitment to principles exemplified by Jeanette Rankin, ACLU’s first vice president in the 1920’s, and embodied in ACLU’s mission and vision.
Who Run the World Award April 2017
Forward Montana
Forward Montana’s mission is to mobilize and engage young Montanans to use the democratic process to improve their lives and the lives of their fellow Montanans. This award is presented as a part of their annual “Rock Star Hall of Fame” event.
Women Inspiring Change: International Women’s Day March 2017
Harvard Law School
The 4th Annual Harvard Law International Women’s Day Portrait Exhibit showcases the astounding contributions of women around the world to the areas of law and policy. The honorees—each of whom were nominated by HLS students, faculty or staff—are powerful voices in their respective fields, whether they are sitting on a high court bench, standing in front of a classroom, or marching in the streets.
Benedict Surwill Lifetime Achievement Award May 2016
Montana State University – Billings, College of Education
Benedict Surwill was MSU-Billings College of Education’s dean for 23 years. Surwill’s family established the award in his honor to recognize individuals who have made a significant impact in education.
Leo Reano Memorial Award July 2015
National Education Association, Human and Civil Rights Awards
Presented to a nominee whose activities in American Indian/Alaska Native affairs significantly impact education and equal opportunities for American Indian/Alaska Natives.
Alumni Council Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education May 2015
Harvard Graduate School of Education
“Her work for the State of Montana school system in the areas of increasing access, fighting for the disenfranchised, improving quality, and breaking down barriers to educational opportunity for all the students in Montana — and particularly for Native American students — embodies the far-reaching impact and advancement of the field of education we are proud to recognize through this award.”
Patricia Whitefoot Education Award November 2014
Potlatch Fund
Potlach Fund is a Native-led nonprofit that provides grants and leadership development in tribal communities in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana. The Partricia Whitefoot Education Award is a part of their leadership honoring award during their annual fundraising gala.
Distinguished Alumni Award September 2014
The University of Montana Alumni Association
Recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award are individuals who have distinguished themselves in a particular field and who have brought honor to the University, the state or the nation. The honor focuses on career achievement, professional honors and community service.
Award for Excellence for Nutrition Advocacy 2014
Montana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Awarded to publicly recognize Montana individuals who have worked to optimize the health of Montanans by support and promotion of food and nutrition.
Alumni Achievement Award October 2013
Montana State University College of Education, Health & Human Development
The College of Education, Health and Human Development recognizes four individuals at their annual homecoming weekend for their dedication and commitment to Montana State University, their community and the State of Montana.
Jacqueline Lougheed World Understanding Lecturer July 2013
Alpha Delta Kappa International
Alpha Delta Kappa is an international honorary organization for over 30,000 women educators to build educational excellence, altruism and world understanding through fellowship. This lecture is presented every other year at their convention. The 2013 convention theme was “Connections . . . Moving Forward Together.”
Alumni Achievement Award March 2013
Harvard Graduate School of Education, 11th Annual Alumni of Color Conference
Awarded in conjunction with the 11th annual Alumni of Color Conference to recognize a Harvard Graduate School of Education alumnus who demonstrates a commitment to equity in issues of race, class and education.
Delta Kappa Gamma Honor April 2013
International Society for Key Women in Education
The Food Security Council of the Montana Food Bank 2011
Commitment to improved nutrition and consistent and
sustainable access to nutritious food for Montana’s children
Carroll College, Helena, Montana 2010
Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters
Indian Educator of the Year 2009
National Indian Education Association